White Mold On Concrete Basement Floor

While the white powder often found on basement walls and mold are caused by similar conditions they are actually different materials.

White mold on concrete basement floor.

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. 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. Basement is one of the most ideal habitats for white mold.

In fact to the untrained eye efflorescence is almost identical to white mold. Mold can have adverse health effects through excessive exposure. 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. But if it s white mold growth things can get confusing.

Instead this powder is a mineral salt that s usually recognized as efflorescence. Mold is a living organism that occurs in wet environments. Mildew a type of fungus similar to mold may also appear white and powdery. Most people confuse secondary efflorescence with mold because it looks like a white dusty mold growing on your concrete.

This happens after the concrete is established. Removing concrete mold is important in preserving the health of those living and or working in the area where the mold is present. There are several similar looking substances that can fool you. If it s black mold growth it is easy to identify.

White mold in basement. The white powder is efflorescence or minerals left behind as water that has flowed through the concrete walls evaporates. White mold in basement after flooding or prolonged dampness is easily identified by the characteristic white cottony mycelium of the mold that grows on the surfaces water damaged organic material. Types of white mold in basement environments.

Also since the basement is dark the growth of white mold is often unseen until it reaches a serious level of infestation. This is when efflorescence is usually more than a white powder. It is not. 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. Efflorescence can look very similar to white mold growth. It is not uncommon for mold to form on a concrete basement floor. If the white powder is creating up on your concrete surfaces only then the substance is most likely not mold.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments.