Many homes and buildings with multiple floors have crawl spaces, especially between the first floor and the ground. Crawl space has many of the same features as a basement, except it is usually shorter and smaller. Rather than having the luxury of walking through a crawl space, you’ll have to crawl through it on your belly. Hence the name “crawl space.”

Mold is one of the most common things you will see in a crawl space. Since crawl spaces retain a lot of moisture and humidity, it is the perfect breeding ground for mold and fungus. If you crawl into this space unprotected with mold present, it could seriously put your health in danger. If you have mold in your crawl space in San Diego, call Orange Restoration today!  (619) 376-6838

Everything You Need to Know About Mold in Crawl Space

Furthermore, mold growth can severely impact the wooden structure of your building. If you don’t remove the mold from your crawl space and repair the damage promptly, it could render the building uninhabitable.

Below are the four main steps for repairing a crawl space when there is mold in it.

1) Seal the Cracks in the Walls

Do you see any cracks in the walls or windows of your crawl space? If so, you need to seal these cracks immediately. Cracks can allow outside moisture to seep through and accumulate in the crawl space.

Most experts recommend installing a plastic vapor barrier throughout the perimeter of the crawl space as a way to encapsulate it. That way, it adds maximum insulation and protection to the crawl space. You should see minimal mold growth after that.

2) Run a Dehumidifier in the Crawl Space

Humidity is the driving force for mold growth. Since crawl spaces are notorious for their humidity, you must eliminate the humidity to prevent mold growth. One highly effective way of doing that is to run a dehumidifier in the crawl space. The dehumidifier will dry out the crawl space so that mold fungus will no longer be interested in breeding there.

You don’t have to run the dehumidifier every day. Instead, inspect the crawl space periodically to see if it is dry. If you ever notice a musty smell, then run the dehumidifier before the condition gets worse. This is particularly important after rain or flooding, especially if you have a leaky roof.

3) Fix Leaky Water Pipes

It is common for water pipes to flow through crawl spaces. But if one of these pipes leaks, the excess water in the crawl space will attract mold. So it is best to inspect these water pipes regularly for signs of leakage or damage. Then repair leakage or damaged pipes as needed.

If you think you can handle the leak repair job yourself, then use online tutorials to guide you through the process if it is a minor leak. On the other hand, you may need to use a licensed plumber if the leakage is too severe.

4) Replace Any Deteriorated Wooden Beams or Joists

Crawl spaces have wooden beams and joists everywhere. Unfortunately, the moisture accumulation will make the wood deteriorate and deteriorate quickly. If your crawl space has not been maintained properly, this situation will occur.

Mold In Crawl Space May Need A Professional

The best thing you can do is replace the deteriorated wooden beams and joists. Then, from that point forward, continue to dry out the crawl space and reduce the humidity as much as possible. Call a professional mold damage repair company if the mold growth has spread too much onto the walls and ceiling of your home. (619) 376-6838