A customer named Michelle M. recently wrote this email to Seagate concerned about her basement’s musty smell and whether the Olive leaf Surface Cleaner 2 oz spray might help solve her problem–
Comments: Hi, I have a musty smell in my basement. I do have a dehumidifier but would like to use a product that will also help with the smell. I’ve read olive leaf powder will help. Is that true ?. Thank you, Michelle
This type of question regarding possible mold damage in homes is a very frequent question that we receive from Seagate customers.
Hi Michelle:
Your question refers to the Olive Leaf powder, which we do not sell as a powder. We only sell it in capsule form as Olive Leaf Extract. However, your question appears on the form relating to Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner 2 oz. So we will assume that this is the product you are questioning for helping with your problem.
Unfortunately we have had a lot of experience with mold, water damage, and musty basements. The Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner spray might help if there were contamination on an isolated counter-top or corner of a concrete floor with limited surface area. However, having a moldy basement is most likely going to be a very very big problem, widespread throughout the basement, with the moisture and mold penetration occurring within the walls and below any flooring where the Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner will not penetrate. It has been our experience that it may be necessary to tear out all the wood, wallboards, flooring, etc. .. and even some of the 2 x 4’s behind the wallboards that had mold growth in order to get at the problem. A dehumidifier might temporarily reduce the moisture in the air in the basement, but will likely not dry out the walls and flooring that are sealed. This can be a very dangerous problem to your health depending upon the species of mold that is growing. Black mold can kill. You may also need to figure out the source of the problem — ie. if you have to reseal around the outside of the house to prevent further seepage into the basement or if there is a leaky pipe in the living areas above the basement . Otherwise, the problem will never go away and you will forever be running the dehumidifier and spraying for mold.
Thank you
Seagate Customer Service