As you may have seen in our previous ‘how to’ posts, mold in your home can cause serious health implications if it is not dealt with in a quick time. This remains true for the crawl space, due to potential for mold to grow in these spaces. This post looks at what might cause mold to grow in your crawl space and how you should remove it.
What Causes Mold in The Crawl Space?
Basement Cracks & Flooding
One of the ways mold can grow in your crawl space is through cracks in your basement floors or walls and potential flooding which could happen in your home. If you do have any cracks in your basement floor or walls then you should look to see if there is any moisture within these cracks which could cause mold growth.
Also for some crawl spaces, you may use plastic sheeting on the floor, which could trap water against the foundation walls. In addition, due to the nature of plastic and how it breaks down over time, holes could develop which allows water to seep through into the soil.
Humidity & Condensation
Another way mold can grow in your crawl space is if the humidity levels are high. The crawl space of a house can be the perfect environment for mold to grow. As a result, you should keep your humidity levels below 50% by using either fans or dehumidifiers.
How to Remove the Mold from Your Crawl Space
1. Where the Correct Protective Clothing
The first thing which you should do whenever you are going anywhere near suspected mold is to ensure that you are wearing the correct protective clothing. This includes wearing goggles, gloves, and N95 mask and coveralls.
2. Find the Source of the Mold Growth
The next step which you should take is to identify the source for the mold growth in your home. If you are able to find where the mold is growing then you will need to take steps at the end of the mold removal process to prevent it from growing back.
3. Choose the Mold Remediation Solution You Use
Vinegar
If you decide to use vinegar to remove mold from your crawl space then you need to mix it with water in a 1:1 ratio spray bottle.
You should then spray it over the affected area, leave to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the area and rinsing with water afterwards.
Baking Soda
Should you decide to use baking soda as a mold-killing solution, then you should apply it over the infected area and leave to sit overnight.
The next day you should clean it all with water thoroughly.
Using baking soda is good because, not only does it kill any dead mold but also any other dirt that is in the affected area.
Mold Killing Agent
The final thing you could use to kill the mold is a mold killing agent, which you can buy at any hardware store.
You should follow the instructions which are on the bottle.
How to Prevent Mold Growth in a Crawl Space
Preventing mold growth in your crawl space is the best way to go, rather than having to fix mold growth in your home. If you have a crawl space in your home, then you should keep the area dry and well ventilated. You should also insulate your pipes and keep them sealed to prevent water from seeping into the dirt.
In addition, you should insulate your crawl space, which can be purchased from any hardware store. You should also use mechanical fasteners to attach insulation before sealing the seams with weatherstripping to prevent air from getting in.
If the current ventilation system doesn’t work that well then you should install a new one. If you do install another ventilation system, then you should check with your HVAC contractor as you don’t want the fresh air to be pushed into the crawl space.
Call the Experts To Remove Mold From Your Crawl Space
If you have mold growing in your crawl space and do not want to remove it yourself, then why not call Above & Beyond. We offer mold inspection & mold remediation services for customers across New Jersey state & New York City. We have also been offering our services for 25 years to Tri-State region and are certified professionals. If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with an expert, then contact us today.
