Why are basements considered a potential source of indoor air quality problems?
Concrete blocks and foundations often settle with time. Cracks in the concrete walls make it easy for water to intrude into the basement. If the basement is unfinished, you can readily see the water intrusion, and although we don’t like it, we are at least aware of the problem and can deal with it. If the basement is finished, one is often not aware of the problem until it is too late. The sheetrock and other building materials can serve as a wick for moisture, facilitating the growth of mold. Carpeted basements can also be problematic. The carpeting adsorbs moisture, often becoming damp to the touch. Mold frequently can be growing in the carpet or underneath in the padding material. Whenever the carpet is disturbed or vacuumed, mold spores will be released. Moisture can also collect on the backside of walls, invisible to the naked eye. Whenever the walls are disturbed, spores can gain entry to the air through a crack or gap in the wall. Leaks and floods are especially problematic, res
