Do you think of the last time you checked into your crawlspace? It most likely has been a significant amount of time since you’ve checked it. Numerous people have no idea what a crawl space is or used for. A crawl space’s primary objective is to enable air circulation throughout the home and provide easy access to plumbing, electrical, maintenance, repair, and installation needs. When crawl spaces in Huntersville, NC, have the presence of mold or a musty odor, panic sets in. If you have mold in your crawl space, you have two issues: the mold itself and the moisture issue that caused it.
If you have an extensive mold infestation in Huntersville, NC, you should contact a crawl space mold removal specialist. Widespread mold growth can be too much to handle on your own and it can even be harmful to your health. Let the experts take care of it for you.
The Dangers of Crawl Space Mold
It’s not the mold itself that’s harmful; it’s the accumulation of toxic spores in the air. When these spores are in the air and in an environment that can thrive, the mold amplifies rapidly and generates more spores. This spore concentration is what causes harm to your health. So perhaps if you are entirely healthy, you should take precautions. Inhaling mold spores, like smoking, can take weeks, months, or years to show consequence.
Steps for Crawl Space Mold Removal
1. EVALUATE THE SITUATION
It makes no sense to remove crawl space mold until the conditions that allow mold to grow are removed. Mold remediation involves removing damaged organic materials, such as wood and sheetrock, and eliminating the moisture source.
The crawl space mold removal team begins by donning protective gear and assessing the extent of mold in the crawl space in Huntersville, NC. They then set up lights and lay down plastic sheets to catch mold removed from surfaces.
2. REMEDIATION PROCESS
After the crawl space has dried and any water leak issues have been corrected, the existing mold must be removed. This usually entails:
- Spray cleaners
- Biocides
- Repairing crawl space damage
- Installation of crawl space dehumidifiers
The crawl space must be sealed off to stop future moisture or humidity issues. Then to eliminate moisture from the atmosphere, dehumidifiers can be installed. Existing vents may be sealed and the crawl space may be enclosed with a moisture barrier and liners running up piers and walls.
Preventing Crawl Space Mold Growth
- Examine the foundation walls for any cracks that could allow water to enter.
- Ensure gutters and downspouts are at least 6 feet away from the house during the rainy season. Or else, water can collect close to the home and subsequently make its way into your crawlspace.
- In vented crawl spaces, firmly insulate against the subfloor. Mechanical fasteners should be used to secure the insulation snugly. Do not simply pack insulation between the joists in the subfloor and presume it stays in place. Without fasteners, it will most likely fall out.
- Check if any existing insulation is sagging, indicating a water problem.
- Ensure a vapor barrier made of plastic sheeting is installed and spans the entire dirt crawl space and spreads a few inches up the foundation walls. There must be plenty of overlap between the layers of sheeting, and there should be no standing water on the sheeting. Plastic sheeting, when installed appropriately, will act as an effective vapor barrier in your crawlspace.
- Examine for leaks in HVAC ducts and plumbing.
- Dryer vents should exit the house rather than into the crawlspace.
We cannot stress the importance of eliminating the source of moisture of moisture first.
If you remove the mold but do not address the underlying issues, the mold will return. We also recommend that a crawl space be encapsulated entirely so that the temperature and humidity in the crawlspace can be controlled. In Huntersville, NC, vented crawl spaces permit humid air to circulate through the crawl space and condensate on the wood surfaces, causing mold and wood-destroying fungus to grow.
Contact Us Today For Free Crawl Space Inspection
Worried about crawl space mold? We’re here to help! Contact us today or give us a call at 704-741-9737.
Our team of experts has years of experience with crawl space mold removal in Huntersville, NC and surrounding areas. A member of our team will thoroughly inspect your crawl space and then walk you through their findings and recommended plan of action.
WHY IS MOLD IN CRAWL SPACES DANGEROUS?
Mold thrives in dark, damp environments with enough moisture. Mold can grow in even a tiny quantity of water in an underground space. Mold is repeatedly detected expanding on the walls, the lower portion of the subfloor, or the joists of a wet crawl space or basement in Huntersville, NC.
Mold in any part of your home should be taken seriously. According to medical and public health experts, mold exposure has been associated with many health issues, such as breathing difficulties, headaches, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Furthermore, noticeable mold can be the tip of an iceberg, denoting a concealed water damage problem that will affect the structural integrity of your home, particularly in or near the foundation.
WHAT CAUSES THE GROWTH OF MOLD IN CRAWL SPACES?
Inadequate ventilation
Ventilation is essential in your basement or open crawl space, as it is in all parts of your home. Often open crawl spaces have vents intended to stop moisture buildup, but recent research shows that vents frequently cause more moisture accumulation than they prevent. In addition, some of these vents include fan systems, which, while intended to be beneficial, can cause more harm than good.
Basements and crawl spaces must be well ventilated and, if necessary, equipped with a dehumidifier to control humidity levels.
Enclosed crawl spaces are common in new-construction homes. Sealed crawl spaces aid in controlling moisture issues, encourage energy efficiency, and safeguard against pest infestations.
See why Powered Vent Fans in a Crawl Space Are Not The Answer!
Wet and Humid Weather
When crawl space vents or fan systems draw in the wind through humid or rainy conditions, the crawl space can be a mold breeding ground. Moisture is drawn into the area and soaked by organic materials such as dirt and wood, promoting mold growth.
Furthermore, prolonged rain may induce the ground all over your home to become overloaded, making basements and crawl spaces vulnerable to water damage and mold growth.
Floods and Water Leaks
Basements and crawl spaces do flood. Therefore, after a flood, cracked pipe, or other water damage event has affected a homeowner’s basement or crawl space, they must engage in high-quality water damage restoration.
HOW CAN A CRAWL SPACE MOLD GROWTH BE PREVENTED?
Homeowners in Huntersville, NC, can take steps to prevent mold growth in their basement or crawl space.
These are some examples:
- Installing appropriate ventilation based on the size and type of home.
- During humid months, run a dehumidifier.
- Assuring those utilities and pipes are in good working order and up to code.
- Keeping spaces clean and free of clutter and debris.
Encapsulating the crawl space
