Ways Mold Can Destroy Wooden Structures In Your Basement
If you have mold growing in your basement, you may already be aware of the potential dangers it poses to you and your family's health. However, you might not be aware of the destruction mold can cause to the wooden structures in your basement. Below are a couple of ways mold can destroy the wooden support beams, poles, and floorboards in your basement.
Deteriorates Wooden Support Structures
When mold spores settle on moist wood, they spring to life by feeding on the water and any residual organic materials found on the surface. However, as the mold continues to grow and spread, they do not just feed on anything found on the wood's surface.
As the growth gets bigger, the mold starts penetrating the wood beneath it, using it as a food source. Since the areas beneath the patches of mold stay moist, the wood eventually starts to rot and decay.
The deterioration process is further compounded by the mycotoxins and other waste materials given off by the mold. The combination of these compounds with the constant moisture leads to soft, weakened wood wherever the mold is growing.
If the mold is not killed and removed, the wood could become too weak to support much weight. This weakness could cause cracks and breakage.
Attracts Termites to the Wood
Another way mold leads to the destruction of the wooden support structures in your basement is that the growth attracts termites to the wood. While termites are not necessarily attracted to mold as a food source, they know that any wood it grows on is beneficial to them.
When searching for food and a place to call home, termites tend to seek out wood that is moist enough to give them water. They also prefer wood that has already begun rotting, as this makes it easier for them to burrow through.
As an added bonus to the termites, the same mycotoxins and waste products produced by the mold that is destroying your wood gives the structures a delectable flavor. So, wherever there is mold growth, the termites know they have a soft, moist source of wood that also tastes great to them.
When mold is growing rampant in your basement, it can cause serious structural damage to your wooden support beams and floorboards. If you find mold in your basement, contact a damage contractor who offers mold restoration services to have them inspect your home and discuss with you options for getting rid of the growth and repairing any damage it may have caused.