What to Do If I Have Mold in My Atlanta Crawlspace

Handling a mold issue in your home can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. It is hard to know what to do first in circumstances that appear overwhelming. Nevertheless, it is necessary to deal with a mold concern sooner rather than later, so that it does not become worse and more of a problem. So what do you do if you have mold in your crawl space? This post will aim to assist you in the process and guide you in making decisions about your house and the mold issues in your crawl space.

How to Tell If I Have Mold In My Crawl Space

The most apparent method to figure out that you have a mold problem is to see the mold. Often mold is visibly growing in your crawl space, which lets you know you have a problem and visually gives you an idea of how much mold you have. Mold, however, is not always so visible. Frequently it can grow in places hard to see by the untrained eye. In these cases, mold is often discernible by smell. A distinct musty or unpleasant scent may show the mold concern.

If you see or smell mold, then it is an excellent idea to test and see what type of mold you are handling. It is imperative to understand what kind of mold you will need to treat before you go ahead and attempt to manage it, though you wish to eliminate any mold growing in your crawl space, no matter the type. Knowing what genus of mold it is will help you determine how to handle the cleanup process correctly.

 

Why Do I Have Mold In My Crawl Space?

If you have mold in your crawl space, it is crucial to determine WHY. Even if you clean the mold, if you have not fixed it, it will likely return. There can be many elements to mold growth. However, they all include water damage, whether from a leak, flooding, or a humidity concern. Mold grows on wetness. Learn the reason for the moisture that is feeding your mold.

Ventilation is essential for concerns involving high humidity levels. In a crawl space with an approved vapor barrier, such as 6-mil plastic, ventilation should be a square foot of ventilation for every single 1,500 square feet minimum, which works out to about one 8″ x 16″ vent for every 500 square feet. One vent must be within 3 feet of every corner. (International Residential Code, area R408).

If you have had leaks or flooding in your crawl space, you likely have mold, even if you can’t see it. Mold can develop extremely quickly in the right conditions. That’s why any mold issue or water damage should not go ignored. The problem will not disappear; it will increase.

 

Mold flourishes in:

• Darkness
• Above-freezing temperatures
• Dampness
• Oxygen
• Time (mold can grow in as little as 24 hours in ideal conditions).

How to Clean Mold in the Crawl Space

It is vital to understand the type and size of the mold issue you are handling. The EPA thinks about any mold concern over 10 square feet to be too dangerous a problem to take care of yourself. In these cases, you ought to contact a professional mold removal business to handle the mold cleanup. If the mold issue is not as severe, you might attempt to remove yourself, though you want to take precautions and do so safely! If your health is poor and you have a weak immune system, we recommend exploring professional removal.

After the reason for the mold is fixed (water damage, leak, humidity, etc.), the mold will need to be scrubbed, killed, and wiped the product that you can not get rid of and replace. Any mold on drywall or similar material should be eliminated and changed. Numerous kinds of cleaners can be efficient versus mold. You will need to investigate the best cleaner for the surface area you are remediating and take the necessary preventative measures and use the proper protective masks, eyeglasses, gloves, and clothes for the job. You likewise want to make sure that the crawl space is correctly dried to prevent the mold from returning.

Mold can be a severe and terrifying issue; however, don’t let the magnitude of the problem cause you to postpone addressing the mold in your crawl space.

The health and well-being of your home directly related to your health, and you definitely wouldn’t want to neglect serious problems that will only multiply. Prevention is an integral part of preventing a mold catastrophe, so keep up with leaks, wetness, condensation, and any water damage in your house and crawl space. It can only save you a big headache later.

Other Links:

https://dph.georgia.gov/indoor-air-quality

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