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 avoided inside. Molds proliferate by dispersing spores invisible to the naked eye and floating through the air, both outside and within. 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.
Mold removal isn’t fun, but at least you know who to call if it happens! We at HydroHelp911 can securely remove any remnants of mold from your house using our comprehensive knowledge, so you don’t have to worry about its effects any longer! For more details on our services, give us a call now.
Can mold cause health problems?
Mold is rarely a problem indoors unless mold spores land on a damp surface and begin to multiply. However, mold has the potential to be harmful to one’s health. Allergens (compounds that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and, in some situations, potentially poisonous substances are all produced by molds (mycotoxins). Sensitive people may experience allergic responses after inhaling or touching mold or mold spores. Hay fever has symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, red eyes, and skin rash, and symptoms of allergic reactions (dermatitis).
Mold causes a lot of allergic reactions. They can happen right away or gradually. Mold allergy sufferers may experience asthma episodes as a result of mold exposure. Mold exposure can also affect 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, though its health implications are still being studied.
Causes of crawl space molds
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, and one of two conditions for mold growth is dampness; the other being a food source such as the wood that acts as the crawl space ceiling. Thus, dirt crawl spaces are ideal breeding grounds for mold because moisture collects quickly in enclosed places.
Signs of mold in crawl spaces
A musty smell is usually a clue that mold has already started to grow. When inspecting your crawl space, look for patches or clusters of what seems to be dirt or powder on the floor joists, posts, rafters, and corners.
It is critical to discover the mold as soon as possible to avoid a mold epidemic. In addition, it’s crucial to remember that mold may spread quickly, so taking the required precautions as soon as you note indications of a mold infestation will help you avoid serious health and property damage.
But, first and foremost, how does mold in a crawl space appear? What are the things you should be wary of? Then, when your house smells musty or emits some form of wet odor, you’ll know it’s time for a crawl space mold fogger installation.
When your nose gets stuffy or runs, your eyes get irritated, or you have a mold allergy attack, this can be an indicator mold exists in your home, even if you can’t see it. The cue to call a crawl space fogger mold remediation service expert like HydroHelp911 is when you notice these mold in crawl space symptoms or see evidence of water damage and mold infestation.
Types of molds in crawl spaces
White mold in crawl space
White mold is most discovered on exposed soil and floor joists in the crawl space beneath the house. Although this mold development is more typical in the winter, it requires just as much attention as black molds because, regardless of hue, white fuzzy mold in the crawl space is still mold, which means it may create toxins and inflict a lot of damage.
Black mold in crawl space
Black mold, whether it’s Stachybotrys or Stachybotrys chartarum, produces mycotoxins, which can cause allergic reactions and possibly be dangerous. Black molds are the most hazardous of all mold types, and they are dark gray or slightly greenish. They usually are flat, not puffy, bumpy, fuzzy, or powdery in appearance.
Yellow mold in crawl space
It feeds on wooden structures, causing them to degrade and degenerate over time. Yellow mold in crawl space is also known as house-eating mold. It must be destroyed before it devastates your home.
How do I get rid of mold?
There are various successful mold extraction techniques, but the soda blasting crawl space approach is highly acclaimed. This process uses sodium bicarbonate or baking soda to kill mold spores utilizing a blasting apparatus. While forceful, sodium bicarbonate is non-toxic and highly effective at removing mold.
Indoors, it is hard to eliminate mold and mold spores; mold spores will be discovered floating in the air and house dust. Mold spores cannot increase in the absence of moisture. Controlling indoor humidity can and should help to avoid or restrain mold growth. If you have mold in your household, you must clean it up and address the water problem. If you clear away the mold but don’t address the water issue, the mold will almost certainly return.
While DIY solutions may temporarily alleviate minor mold infestations, eliminating them necessitates the expertise of a mold in the crawl space removal specialist. Because mold development may not always be evident to the untrained eye, it’s a good idea to engage a professional like HydroHelp911 for crawl space mold removal and insulating your crawl space. You should also check out our video on crawl space encapsulation.
Because mold can form in any location and at any time, learning how to eliminate mold in the crawl space beneath the house should be a top priority for every homeowner. While hiring a mold remediation company is a good idea, you might start killing mold in your crawl space yourself with sodium bicarbonate, bleach, vinegar, tea tree oil, or other home chemicals that function as a crawl space mold removal agent.
Preventive steps for crawl space molds
- Check the foundation walls for any cracks that could allow 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 this is not done.
- Make sure there’s enough airflow. For all 140 square feet of crawl space, there should be at least 1 square foot of ventilation. Well-ventilated crawl spaces are a favorite of ours.
- Insulate securely against the subfloor in vented crawl areas. Mechanical fasteners are used to keep the insulation in place. Don’t just stuff the insulation between the joists in the subfloor and hope it stays put. Without fastening, it will most likely fall out eventually.
- Make sure any existing insulation isn’t missing or drooping, 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. There should be enough overlap between the layers of sheeting, and no standing water should be present. To know more about crawl space vapor barrier installation, you can visit the link. Examine the area surrounding HVAC ducts and plumbing components for leaks.
- Dryer vents should exit the home rather than go into the crawlspace.
It is simple to prevent mold growth in a crawl area by sealing it. Enclose the space in such a way that no moisture can get in. Dehumidifying the environment can also help to keep the humidity in the air under control and dry. The fundamental truth is that mold infestation is a significant problem that must be handled as soon as possible.
