White Mold On Concrete Basement Floor

If it s black mold growth it is easy to identify.

White mold on concrete basement floor.

Also since the basement is dark the growth of white mold is often unseen until it reaches a serious level of infestation. This happens after the concrete is established. Mildew a type of fungus similar to mold may also appear white and powdery. There are several similar looking substances that can fool you.

This builds up on concrete surfaces in basements and in crawl spaces regularly occurring as part of the process of moisture coming from the earth. If the white powder is creating up on your concrete surfaces only then the substance is most likely not mold. Basement is one of the most ideal habitats for white mold. In fact to the untrained eye efflorescence is almost identical to white mold.

White mold in basement. Types of white mold in basement environments. Instead this powder is a mineral salt that s usually recognized as efflorescence. Many types of mold can appear white in color depending on the type of material on which they are growing including aspergillus cladosporium and penicillium penicillium is often blue or bluish green and white.

Mold can grow on many kinds of surfaces including drywall tile fabrics and even concrete. Identifying mold growth on concrete can be a bit tricky. Most people confuse secondary efflorescence with mold because it looks like a white dusty mold growing on your concrete. It is not uncommon for mold to form on a concrete basement floor.

But if it s white mold growth things can get confusing. Efflorescence can look very similar to white mold growth. The white powder is efflorescence or minerals left behind as water that has flowed through the concrete walls evaporates. It is not.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments. Mold can have adverse health effects through excessive exposure. While the white powder often found on basement walls and mold are caused by similar conditions they are actually different materials. Removing concrete mold is important in preserving the health of those living and or working in the area where the mold is present.

Efflorescence is often mistaken for white mold in basement concrete because they look a lot alike. On concrete basement floors a problem with moisture rising up from the wet ground can cause a fuzzy white mold to grow on the surface. This is when efflorescence is usually more than a white powder. Darkness humidity and warm temperature are characteristics that white mold loves.

After the concrete is cured secondary efflorescence can happen if there is a water problem present.