Using an Purifier in your Basement

Posted by Anderson on March 8th, 2019

Spring is just around the corner. Now is the best time to start preparing your basement for the warm summer months. The summer is often very warm and humid. Warmth and humidity often cause mold growth and musty odors in your basement. 

As rain congregates at the base of your house it will soak into the ground and often seep into your basement. The cross-base below your house is bound to have some leaks where water can get in. As water gets into your basement it will great a moist and humid environment that will result in mold growth and musty smells. 

Also, people often store their old boxes, clothes, and equipment in their basement. After months of absorbing moisture, these cardboard boxes and clothes will begin to smell musty and old. This is one of the most common smells that is produced in a basement and can be annoying for a homeowner.

Have you ever walked into a basement or garage and smelled a musty odor? This is usually the result of mold or damp areas in your basement. 

A basement is a great breeding ground for mold spores because it is damp and warm. Mold spores thrive in warm and damp environments. As mold grows, it produces mold spores that float through the air and land in different places in your basement. These spores will then begin to grow mold in a new location. 

The best way to prevent mold spores from spreading is to use a basement air purifier. An air purifier in your basement will remove these spores from the air. 

Air purifiers use true HEPA filters to capture particles that are at least .3 microns in size. They are able to eliminate up to 99.97% of these particles. Mold spores are generally at least 3 to 8 microns meaning that an air purifier will remove them. 

Another great technology used in basement air purifiers is UV sanitization. This is the process of using UV light to zap and kill organisms such as mold spores and bacteria. A combination of these two technologies is great for cleaning the air in your basement. 

Musty Basement Odor

If you are trying to eliminate odor then the best technology is activated carbon. Activated carbon uses high amounts of surface area to absorb odors and indoor pollutants. This technology will eliminate musty odors from mold, damp areas, and old cardboard boxes in your basement. 

It is important to clean your basement and check for any signs of water leakage before the summer months. These areas should be fixed or plugged to prevent future water leakage. If an area is leaking water then you are bound to produce mold. 

Choosing the Right Air Purifier

Finding the best air purifier for your basement can be a difficult task. Depending on the size or your basement you may need a more powerful purifier. Generally, it is best to measure the length and width of your basement before deciding on the power of your purifier. It is best to select an air purifier with a CADR rating of at least 200 for a larger sized basement.