A crawl space is usually the last place on your mind when it comes to your home. The less time you have to look at it, or the less time you have to think about it the better. Unfortunately, we are about to burst your bubble. What most people don’t know is that over half of the air you breathe in your home comes from your crawl space, so whatever is down there, is in the rest of your home too. So, if you got mold in your crawl space, it’s a bigger problem than you may want it to be.
Signs of Mold In Your Crawl Space
In Your Home
As mentioned before, you are breathing a lot of your crawl space air in your home, therefore there are some signs you might notice before you even look in your crawl space. So, one sign of having a mold problem in your crawl space is a musty smell in the house that might be lingering. Not to say this is always the case, but with other signs as well, this can be an indicator you need your crawl space looked at.
Another one could be warped wooden floors. Mold in your crawl space can impact the structural integrity of your floors, especially depending on the type of insulation you have. If the mold has expanded to certain places, you will be able to see some damage to your floors. Lastly, if you have an increased experience of allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose or itchy eyes, this can also mean you are inhaling the mold from your crawl space.
In Your Crawl Space
If you suspect having mold in your crawl space, it is always a good idea to have an expert take a look, as they are educated and informed on how to face the mold. However, if you are able to look for yourself, here are some of the signs that your crawl space has a mold problem.
- Decaying, rotting beams and joists
- Rotten wood
- Spots (green, blue, or white) on the walls and or insulation
- Water stains on baseboards
Knowing the signs makes it that much easier to recognize them if they appear in your own home. If you are experiencing some typical signs and want to see if it is a mold problem, reach out to a professional today.
Do you need to Get Rid of it Immediately?
Get rid of mold because it is never welcomed in the home no matter where or in what form. The unfortunate thing about mold is that it does not take a long time for it to spread. So, even if you have a small amount of mold in your crawl space, it won’t be long for it to become a much bigger problem.
It’s also worth mentioning the health risks that come with it. To really drive home the point that your breathing air is essentially your crawl space air, long-term exposure to mold will bring many health risks. At the low end of the severity scale, you will experience more allergy-related symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and running nose. However, on the other end of the scale, prolonging your exposure can lead to worse, more severe health damage such as asthma and autoimmune diseases.
How to Treat the Mold
The first step is to recognize there is a problem, so now that you know the signs of a moldy crawl space, you’re covered. Next, you need to get the air out of your living space ASAP, so an exhaust fan will do just that to remove the contaminated air faster. Now, you need to REALLY get covered. Anytime you are dealing with a mold infestation, it is vital to wear the necessary protective gear.
There are a couple of home remedy solutions that could lessen the amount of mold in your crawl space, but nothing will beat a professional mold removal service. You can try using bleach, but just know a little bit will be enough, and it’s very important to wear all the safety gear.
For a less aggressive chemical, you can also try vinegar.
How to Prevent Mold From Coming Back
Stopping mold from returning can be an easy task if you are equipped with the right tools.
Here are the main methods to keep mold from coming back to your crawl space.
Encapsulate or seal off your crawl space
Encapsulating your crawl space can really help with mold prevention. Having your crawl space encapsulated eliminates a lot of moisture, and helps keep the temperature well regulated. Having a regulated atmosphere and environment will drastically reduce the chance of creating an inviting space for mold.
Check for Water Damage
Water damage can also be a big indicator that mold is being lured into your crawl space. Making sure all of your pipes and drains are working properly will be an added safety precaution. If you are unsure if your crawl space is properly set up for waterproofing, or if your home has additional waterproofing needs, contact your Crawlspace Medic to get some free advice on how to waterproof your crawl space.
Consult with your local Crawlspace Medic.
Mold can be a dangerous and tricky monster for your crawl space. Sometimes, we can be unaware of the signs of mold damage until it’s too late. So, having your crawl space inspected on an annual basis will ensure that you don’t have a current mold problem and that your crawl space is set up to prevent them from coming.
