Chilly Descent into a Basement Laboratory of Black Mold - Thread

I have been waiting to get to this lab for some time, but the summer mold bloom was so bad that the entire building smelled like a mushroom from 50 feet away and there was a broken water main nearby flooding the basement with a few inches of water.

A few days ago, with temperatures plummeting and snow in the forecast, I figured the time had come to finally get down in the pitch blackness of this place and see what secrets it held.

Sunken Knob Welcome by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

There was a significant drop in temperature as I descended these steps - like walking down into an ice cave. Feeling like Will Smith in I Am Legend, I started wondering if I should have brought sharpened sticks and garlic.

A Chilly Descent by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

I was very happy to find that the summer basement flooding was over. I actually didn't think I was going to risk stepping into it even if there was an inch of water left-over. I'm always worried about the possibility of electricity still being live somewhere.

Out Comes The Mask by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Less Toxic In The Fume Hood by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

X Files by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Snails on the Lab Rack by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Previously Flooded by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Section BB by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Outdated Tech Trove by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Although the black mold dominated the entire basement, this next shot was the most bizarre room of them all. This was an office door that was tightly closed. When I opened it, the entire interior - walls, ceiling, floor and every object inside - was covered with a white fluffy mold. It looked as though it had snowed inside the room, or that maybe a giant Wolf of Wall Street office party took place before they vacated.

Powdery White Mold Room by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

I do love exploring places like this alone. The utter silence and desolation is somehow comforting. But after the El Chapo room, I started to worry about how old the filter inserts were on my P100 mask. It was time to get up into some fresh air and welcome daylight.

Coming Up For Air by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Kid Tested, Mother Disapproved by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Fallen Exit by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Gates Before the Snow by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Within 12 hours of leaving this location, the southern Ontario world covered itself in snow. I was glad to get this one off my list without the worry of leaving tracks leading up to the building.