What you need to know about removing and preventing mold in crawl spaces

Mold slowly destroys the surface on which it grows.

If it is growing on your home’s support beams or floor joists, mold can weaken the overall structural integrity of your home. And, because mold is known to cause—or aggravate—many illnesses and respiratory conditions, all crawl space mold types pose a risk to your family’s health.

Mold spores exist naturally in the environment, but won’t grow unless the conditions are right. Mold—such as in a crawl space—needs three things to grow: warm temperatures, moisture and a food source. This is why mold in crawl spaces—the dark, often humid, area below your home—is so common.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifies four “levels” of crawl space mold types based on size and severity, with LevelIV being the most dangerous. Level III and IV mold—categorized by growths of over 30 square feet—must be removed and treated by professional mold removal companies such as Helitech Waterproofing & Foundation Repair.

There are several ways to spot severe mold growth in crawl spaces: sagging floors, a musty smell or bubbling wallpaper. Once you spot any of these warning signs, it is imperative that you call us quickly to prevent any further damage.

The cleanup process for mold in your crawl space

For mores serious crawl space mold types, the cleanup process must be handled cautiously. Precautions such as protective gear and negative pressure airlocks might be necessary for the safety of you and the workers.

Mold must be completely removed—not just cleaned off of—the affected areas soasto prevent any future growths. If the mold spores remain on the surface, it will likely grow back.

Often, Level III and IV mold growth must be disposed ofin sealed containers. When removal is complete, all affected surfaces should be cleaned using oxygen cleaners.

How to treat crawl space mold and prevent future growth

Mold in crawl spaces can be caused by any number of things: plumbing leaks, overflowing sinks, excess soil moisture. The most likely culprit, though, is a lack of ventilation and dehumidification paired with an improperly designed vapor barrier.

To prevent crawl space mold in the long-term, you must address these three factors head-on.

• Install an effective vapor barrier
  Vapor barriers prevent moisture from building up in your crawl space. Sometimes, however, they can prevent excess moisture from leaving the crawl space, causing wood rot and mold growth. The experts at Helitech know how to install a vapor barrier that helps maintain a healthy water vapor equilibrium for your home’s crawl space.
• Provide for effective ventilation of the crawl space area
  Crawl space vents work in conjunction with dehumidifiers and vapor barriers to keep the humidity levels of your crawl space area at a healthy level. Crawl space vents promote air circulation by allowing exterior air toflow in through a small hole in the wall of your crawl space. Crawl space vents also provide an exit path for excess moisture, which can prevent wood rot and mold growth.
• Install a crawl space dehumidifier
  High humidity levels, although common in crawl spaces, can be prevented by installing a permanent dehumidifier. Your dehumidifier will extract excess moisture from the air and expel it to the exterior of your home, which will go a long way toward preventing future mold growth in your crawl space.