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Things You Should and Should Not Store in Your Warren Basement
2/22/2021 (Permalink)
The worst items you can keep in the basement are items that can be subject to mold, mildew, and moisture.
All those Christmas decorations are finally put away, and it is time to take out the spring décor once again. But as you are digging around the basement totes and storage…have you ever wondered if some of your beloved items should even be kept in the cellar at all? Allow SERVPRO of Trumbull County help you dictate what should be and should NOT be kept in the basement.
Let us start with the don’ts. Basements are cool, damp and even wet at times. The worst items you can keep in the basement are items that can be subject to mold, mildew, and moisture. These aspects are the worst enemy to things like: books, family photos, clothing, rugs, and furniture. Moisture is the enemy of paper, humidity can make photographs stick together, rugs and clothing can be a nice hide-out for mice and bugs, and furniture can be exposed to water and ruin it. These are all big no no’s for basement storage.
Now let us go over what things are safe to keep in the basement. These objects include: Holiday decorations, sports equipment, dishware and glasses, paint and extra cleaning products. Décor is perfectly safe in the cellar, just pack trimmings with additional bubble wrap and place them in airtight plastic containers to keep bugs, dirt, and moisture out.
Sports equipment, if it is clean, is also a perfect example of what to store in the basement. Just make sure you’re not stuffing dirty or sweaty sports padding or helmets down there, which can lead to mold or mildew growth. Give them a good scrubbing first.
Putting dust aside, dishes and glassware are a perfect storage option for the basement too, especially if your kitchen has ample space.
Paint and cleaning products are best kept in the basement instead of the garage since it is more temperature controlled. Just keep them away from hot spaces like the furnace.
Basements can be a great storage option here in the North---but we still have to be careful because it is the number one room that is subject to mold.
If the conditions are right, Mold can spread throughout your property in less than 72 hours. The ideal setting for Mold growth is one that contains MOISTURE, WARMTH, and FOOD. If all three conditions are present, it is likely to grow. Mold is most likely to find a place to grow in a bathroom, basement or kitchen, but it can grow in other rooms if conditions are favorable. The climate where you live and the living habits in your household can affect the ability of mold to grow.
Mold spores can also thrive and reproduce in wet or damp parts of your home: frequently flooded areas, leaky roofs and pipes, cracked walls, or areas around house plants, especially ones that sometimes are over-watered. A moist environment combined with room-temperature conditions and an organic food source can lead to mold growth in what seems to be no time at all.
If mold is found in your Warren home or business, SERVPRO of Southern Trumbull County has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.