White Mold On Concrete Basement Floor

Efflorescence can look very similar to white mold growth.

White mold on concrete basement floor.

Most people confuse secondary efflorescence with mold because it looks like a white dusty mold growing on your concrete. If the white powder is creating up on your concrete surfaces only then the substance is most likely not mold. This happens after the concrete is established. Mildew a type of fungus similar to mold may also appear white and powdery.

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. 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. Instead this powder is a mineral salt that s usually recognized as efflorescence. Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments.

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. It is not uncommon for mold to form on a concrete basement floor. If it s black mold growth it is easy to identify. But if it s white mold growth things can get confusing.

Types of white mold in basement environments. It is not. Mold can grow on many kinds of surfaces including drywall tile fabrics and even concrete. After the concrete is cured secondary efflorescence can happen if there is a water problem present.

Mold is a living organism that occurs in wet environments. Mold can have adverse health effects through excessive exposure. White mold in basement. Darkness humidity and warm temperature are characteristics that white mold loves.

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. Removing concrete mold is important in preserving the health of those living and or working in the area where the mold is present. This is when efflorescence is usually more than a white powder. Efflorescence is often mistaken for white mold in basement concrete because they look a lot alike.

Identifying mold growth on concrete can be a bit tricky. There are several similar looking substances that can fool you. In fact to the untrained eye efflorescence is almost identical to white mold. Basement is one of the most ideal habitats for white mold.

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