Mold is a big problem if you own a property. Mold thrives in basements and crawls spaces due to the constant presence of moisture in these dark, cramped environments.
Unfortunately, mold can develop and become a costly project that you didn’t prepare for because you probably don’t spend much time in your crawl space. Crawl Space Mold Removal team HydroHelp911 will regularly investigate the corners of your basement and keep mold at bay.
Molds are a natural element of the environment. Molds play an important role in nature by decomposing decaying organic waste such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but mold growth should be prevented inside.
Molds proliferate by dispersing spores, invisible to the naked eye, that float through the air, both outside and in. Mold can start growing indoors when mold spores land on damp surfaces. Mold comes in various shapes and sizes, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Call HydroHelp911 today to find out if your crawl space or basement is plagued with mold!
Is it true that mold can be bad for your health?
Mold is rarely a problem indoors unless mold spores land on a damp surface and begin to increase. However, mold can be harmful to one’s health. Molds create allergies, irritants, and even poisonous chemicals in some circumstances. Even insensitive people may experience allergic responses after inhaling or touching mold or mold spores. Symptoms like hay fever, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash, are common allergic reactions.
Mold causes a lot of different reactions. They can happen right away or take a while to develop. Mold allergy sufferers may experience asthmatic episodes as a result of mold exposure. Mold exposure can also irritate mold-allergic and non-allergic people’s eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Inhaling mold does not typically cause symptoms other than allergic and irritating reactions. Mold and its health implications are still being studied.
Mold in basements and crawl spaces: what causes it?
BASEMENTS
The frequency of basement mold can be attributed to three main factors:
● Cracks in the foundation:
Many concrete building foundations begin to crack after 20-30 years, allowing water to penetrate. (Water is required for mold to germinate.)
● Humidity and condensation cause moldy concrete:
Cold walls are common in basements, especially during the winter. Condensation and mold growth can occur when warm, heated interior air meets a hard border. During the winter, we see this most around concrete foundation walls and in windows.
● Basement flooding and mold cleanup:
We encounter more basement flooding than you may believe as a direct result of sump pump failure. A non-functioning sump pump can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in damage, whether it’s due to an outdated pump that merely stops working or a power outage during a storm.
CRAWL SPACES
High moisture and humidity are the most common causes of mold in crawl spaces. First, consider the crawlspace’s location: it’s beneath your house, right on top of the ground. A plastic vapor barrier is installed in many crawl areas, but not all. Moisture is found in soil and dirt from the earth.
One of two conditions for mold growth is dampness (the other being a food source such as the wood that acts like the crawl space ceiling). Dirty crawl spaces are ideal breeding grounds for mold because moisture collects so quickly in enclosed places.
Prevention is better than cure! Preventing mold growth will help you save considerable time. Let’s see how:
Mold prevention in basements
BASEMENT FOUNDATION CRACKS: HOW TO PREVENT MOLD:
You can’t do much to avoid foundation cracks because they happen as the house ages. However, you can keep the problem to a minimum by strolling around the outer perimeter of your property, checking for pools of water against the house, and ensuring that your gutters drain at least 6 feet away from home.
MOLD PREVENTION DUE TO BASEMENT CONDENSATION ISSUES:
Mold development in your basement caused by moisture and humidity can be prevented in two ways.
IN YOUR BASEMENT, USE ANTI-MILDEW PAINT
Use antifungal paint like KILZ to re-paint your concrete foundation where you see surface mold development (there are many). These types of paints claim to keep mold from growing on the surface of the paint. However, in HydroHelp911’s experience, they don’t always work.
TO AVOID CONDENSATION, INSULATE YOUR FOUNDATION.
The second thing you may do is insulate the walls of your concrete foundation. Again, there are various options available, including styrofoam, spray foam, and completing the basement. Insulated walls would eliminate the temperature difference that leads to moisture and mold growth.
BASEMENT SUMP PUMP FAILURE: HOW TO AVOID MOLD
Many homeowners have no idea what their sump pump accomplishes or how it works, which is crucial to comprehending why a good sump system is essential.
WHAT IS A SUMP PUMP? HOW DOES IT WORK TO KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE FROM FLOODING?
A sump pump is a type of drainage system. Groundwater enters your sump well through drain pipes that run around the perimeter of your home’s foundation. The drain pipes keep groundwater from leaking into your foundation through fractures. Your sump pump then “ejects” the water from the well, generally to the outdoors, far away from the house.
TO AVOID FLOODING, INVEST IN THE MOST EXCELLENT SUMP PUMP YOU CAN AFFORD.
Both a faulty sump pump and a power outage, such as during a storm, can cause sump pump problems. Therefore, we advocate investing in the best sump pump money can buy.
Consider this: it isn’t a question of whether, but when, the electricity will go out due to a storm. So don’t lose sleep over a power outage; instead, invest in a battery backup system to keep your basement dry and mold-free.
Mold prevention in crawl space
- Check the foundation walls for any cracks and gaps that could provide water to enter.
- During the rainy season, make sure gutters and downspouts channel at least 6 feet away from home. Water can collect around the house and eventually find its way into your crawl space if Crawl Space Mold Prevention is not done.
- Make sure there’s enough airflow. Well-ventilated crawl spaces are a favorite of ours. For every 150 square feet of crawl space area, there should be at least 1 square foot of ventilation.
- Insulate securely against the subfloor in vented crawl areas. Mechanical fasteners are used to keep the insulation in place. Watch HydroHelp911’s video on basement waterproofing.
- Make sure any existing insulation isn’t missing or sinking, as these are both signs of a water problem.
- Ensure there’s a vapor barrier made of plastic sheeting covering the entire dirt crawl area and extending a few inches up the foundation walls.
- Examine the area surrounding HVAC ducts and plumbing components for leaks.
- Dryer vents should exit the home rather than go into the crawl space.
For homes, mildew and mold can be significant issues. It’s especially hazardous if you have allergies or asthma, leading to health complications such as breathing difficulties.
Mold is a widespread problem in houses, but most people aren’t aware of it until they notice symptoms. Even then, many individuals paint over the mold, which only makes the problem worse over time as it grows beneath your home’s surface.
The most straightforward approach to dealing with mold is to call HydroHelp911, a company that has dealt with similar situations before. Call Us!
What does mold look like in a crawl space?
While mold growth in a crawl space can be baffling, it is usually easy to detect. The mold will grow in a speckled and circular pattern in the majority of cases. The consistent, dark appearance found in many attics is unlikely to be noticed. It takes on a three-dimensional shape as the growth accelerates.
Is it possible for mold to spread through the air?
Molds are fungi that may grow in a wide range of conditions. Molds proliferate by producing spores, spread by the air, waterways, or animals.
Is it possible for mold to spread throughout a home?
Mold is easy to develop and spread in a house or office since it only needs three things to survive: warmth, moisture, and food. So while finding a moldy piece of bread or a rotting tomato on your counter is typical, finding excess mold in other areas of your house or business can be alarming.
How can I locate a reputable mold removal company?
● Investigate the services’ specifics. When you find a mold removal company that you believe you’d want to hire, look into their services in greater depth.
● Inquire about the experience of the services.
● Examine the feedback.
● Consider your financial situation.
Is it possible to paint over mold?
The bottom line is that painting over mold won’t make it go away. Mold growth can only be prevented by using mold-resistant paint or adding mold inhibitors to your colors. When it comes to limiting mold in your house, prevention is critical.
