If you are going to have a mold problem in your home the most likely place you'll find it is in your basement or crawlspace. The reasons are quite simple; the vast majority of basements and crawl spaces are damp and lack good air circulation. Add in the fact that many of these below ground spaces are used as storage areas which tends to exacerbate any mold problems you may have.

There are any number of reasons to prevent mold spores from germinating in your home; it smells bad, it's destructive to whatever it grows on, and it just looks gross. But the most important reason is the affects it can have on you and your family's health. A particular type, black mold, can be down right toxic to humans and it is one of the more common varieties found growing in people's homes.

Preventing mold in your basement or crawlspace is a two step process; controlling the humidity (moisture) level and storing your stuff smartly.

We'll look at controlling humidity levels first as this is probably the most important part of any mold prevention program. The first thing to do is to measure the humidity level in your basement or crawlspace. This can be easily done with a hygrometer which can be purchased at your local home improvement store. In many cases they are part of a thermometer/hygrometer package.

Use your hygrometer to measure the moisture level over several days. Take a reading two or three times a day and make a note of it. If the humidity level is consistently over 45 percent there is a good chance you may already have mold growing in your basement or crawl space and it is time to begin the process of reducing the high level of moisture in the air.

Reducing high humidity begins with a thorough inspection of your basement or crawlspace. Look for any signs of moisture on the walls and floor. It can usually be seen as darker or discolored areas in the concrete. Also look for cracks that may be allowing moisture to seep in from the surrounding soil. Cracks in the wall or floor need to be sealed using a concrete patching compound. It can also be a good idea to paint the walls with a water proof concrete sealer.

Good air circulation is also important in keeping humidity levels down. Opening any windows or vents and the basement door every once in a while will help. Also running a fan is a good way to keep the air moving. For basements or crawlspaces with severe moisture problems a dehumidifier may be the best way to keep the humidity under control.

If you use your basement or crawl space for storage then organizing your stored items is an important part of keeping any mold problems under control. If you can avoid storing papers and clothes down there as they attract and hold moisture and provide the nutrients molds need to grow and spread.

If you don't have a choice and must store them in the basement don't use card board boxes. Storing them in air-tight plastic containers will keep them safe from high moisture levels and mold. Also do not store them next to the walls and keep them up off the floor. Another thing to consider is using air-tight vacuum bags to store clothes and blankets. These types of storage bags seal their contents and compress them down saving valuable space.

One last thing to consider is storage spacing. Do not pile everything up in one big pile. Make rows and aisles which is not only more organized and makes things easier to find but it also allows the air to flow over and around everything. This will help minimize moisture build up on your stored items.

Mold growing in your basement or crawlspace is not a good thing. It can seriously damage or destroy anything you may have stored down there if left to its own devices. The best way to prevent mold problems is to control humidity levels and store all your items properly.