Basements are particularly sensitive to mould contamination due to water penetration though the walls. Basements have not been designed to accommodate people but were usually used for storage of materials, fuels and the odd items. In recent years the number basements converted into flats or good storage areas have been steadily rising. Many challenges have to be overcome when converting basements and the building industry has resolved most of them. There is a range of construction solution effectively tacking problems such as penetrating damp, rising damp and condensation in these areas. In most cases converted basements carry out their function without noticeable problems, but sometimes problems with humidity and water damage can develop especially after an unusual incident such as fire and flood.
I have recently completed an investigation for an insurance company into a claim submitted by one of their customer. The customer owns a shoe shop in the centre of a historic town where the buildings are closely packed together. In this particular case all the buildings date to early 1800 and were set in a slight slope. One of these beautiful historic building suffered a fire which the fire brigade successfully put out. As the result of the operation the whole property has been flooded with water which was then absorbed by the ground.
Water rising through the basement floors, old deteriorated bitumen barrier visible in patches
Water penetration through the basement walls
As an unfortunate consequence of the nearby fire, the shop several building down the slope which uses their basement as storage for luxury shoes suffer from mould contamination. The mould developed because the moisture content of the ground surrounding the basement was suddenly increased significantly. The damp barriers which were put in place some 15 years ago have in the meantime deteriorated and were not able to stop the sudden increase in water content.
Resulting mould contamiantion under carpets in converted basement office
The indoor air humidity in the basement has increased significantly causing dampness on the surfaces of the walls which were subsequently colonised by moulds. Moulds have also attacked the luxury shoes. Following the identification of the cause a quick plan has been put in place to dehumidify the basement and to prevent further damage to the stock.
Mould damage to luxury shoe wear
