Mold Remediation - What You Need to Know About Crawlspace Mold Removal

Crawlspaces are a favorite haunt for mold to grow and spread throughout your home. It's a dark, dank, and out-of-the-way location that receives little attention. Unfortunately, a crawlspace that is out-of-sight and out-of-mind means that mold and other problems are not discovered until they have grown to significant proportions.

As an experienced mold remediation company, we've got all the answers about dealing with crawlspace mold removal, how you can prevent the problem from developing in the first place, and where to get help if the mold has grown out of control.

Causes of Mold in Crawlspaces

The primary causes of mold in a crawlspace are humidity and moisture. It's understandable when you consider the location of your crawlspace—right on top of the earth on which your home is built.

High humidity leads to condensation when the temperatures cool, creating even more favorable conditions for mold to thrive. Other than moisture, mold also needs a food source, and there is plenty of nourishment in the wood that makes up the crawlspace ceiling.

It's common for homes to have a crawlspace vapor barrier, but there are still many properties without them. The soil and dirt beneath your home hold enough moisture for mold to thrive, but a vapor barrier keeps the area dry, so mold can't grow.

It's important to note that vapor barriers can only block moisture from entering through the soil; but it can still get in from other sources such as condensation or leaking pipes. As such, vapor barriers always work best when used in conjunction with other crawlspace waterproofing methods.

How to Know if You Have Mold in Your Crawlspace

Mold often goes unnoticed for the first few months, but clues will eventually start to manifest if it is left to its own devices for some time. Here are a few signs you may have mold growing in your crawlspace.

Odor

A musty odor is one of the first signs you will notice. If your crawlspace does not have a vapor barrier or isn't properly insulated and ventilated, moisture can easily penetrate the area. Don't ignore strange odors you can't easily explain away.

High Utility Bills

Have your utility bills suddenly spiked for no discernible reason? Water leaks and excess energy usage from an AC unit struggling with high humidity levels are a sign that your crawlspace has a lot of moisture buildup and could be harboring mold.

Allergies

Many people are sensitive to mold spores in their environment. If anyone in your home is suddenly experiencing episodes of watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, or respiratory distress, it could indicate more mold spores than usual are infiltrating your living spaces.

Pests

Pests like mice, rats, and insects need moisture to survive. A crawlspace with an abundant source of water is an invitation for pests to move in under your home. Unfortunately, pests rarely confine themselves to this area and will eventually invade your living spaces in their search for food.

Why Crawlspace Mold Removal is Important

Mold can cause or exacerbate a range of health conditions such as mycotoxicosis, aspergillosis, and asthma. There is also a risk of damage to your house due to moisture causing rot in the wooden structures. Sagging floors, damaged insulation, and rotting support beams and floor joists are all problems that can develop because of excess moisture in the crawlspace.

Handy Tips for Preventing Mold in Crawlspaces

The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it from taking hold in the first place. Use these handy tips to keep mold from taking over your home's crawlspace.

● Check for and repair cracks in the foundation walls at least two or three times a year

● Ensure gutters and downspouts are channeling water away from the house

● Ensure pipes going through the crawlspace are intact

● Install a vapor barrier

● Divert heated air from the HVAC system into the crawlspace

● Ventilate the crawlspace (professional services are highly recommended)

● Install a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels between 30% to 50%

Call a Professional Mold Remediation Company Near You

It can be challenging to deal with mold in a crawlspace that has been left to thrive and spread, but you have options, and help is available. A mold remediation specialist near you is your best bet for getting rid of crawlspace mold and repairing the underlying conditions that caused it.

Mold remediation is an involved process requiring specialized equipment to control the environment. Insulation, vapor barriers, and debris will all need to be removed and decontaminated or disposed of before the process can start.

The area must be cleaned and disinfected to ensure all traces of mold are eliminated, and an antimicrobial agent will be applied to clean, dry surfaces for extra protection.

Don't let mold ruin your home. Call the mold remediation specialists at Best Option Restoration today to improve the conditions in your crawlspace and stop mold from coming back for good.

What You Need to Know About Crawlspace Mold Removal with Best Option Restoration

If you’re experiencing mold in your crawlspace in Denver, Arvada, Thornton, Broomfield, Boulder, or the surrounding areas, Best Option Restoration can help you. We are aware that mold in crawlspaces can leave you feeling overwhelmed, and our goal is to instill peace of mind throughout the project and restore your property in the most efficient way possible. We have many years of experience in restoration reconstruction and all our general contractors are licensed and insured. If your property has been damaged due to water, fire, or mold we will give you the personalized service and expert marksmanship needed to get the job done right. To learn more about our services, call us at (720) 620-3272 or contact us online to receive an estimate on your project.