Removing Crawl Space Mold
Mold removal in your crawl space is shocking to find. Learn how to remove it and stop it from coming back.
The process of removing mold in your crawl space is very different, and certainly, more complicated than in bathrooms. Your crawl space may be difficult to access, and most are troublesome to work inside because of their height. So, getting rid of mold in your crawl space is typically a bigger problem than you may think. Even if you can remove the mold, what steps are you taking to ensure it doesn’t return?
Crawl space encapsulation seals out moisture, one of the three elements needed for mold to grow. Without taking additional steps to eliminate the source of the mold, you’ll not only be throwing money out the window by removing the mold repeatedly, but you’re putting your home’s structural integrity at risk. Mold’s main source of ‘food’ is organic material, and your crawl space is full of it in the source of wood. Wood beams and floor joists do the heavy lifting in the crawl space, if they are weakened by rotting wood caused by mold, your home could be at risk. Crawl space encapsulation addresses this problem by locking out moisture in all its forms.
How Do I Know If I Have Mold?
Since getting inside your crawl space may be difficult, there are mold problems you can notice in the living areas of your home. Of course, if you suspect a mold problem, we suggest having a local Groundworks expert visit your home and complete a comprehensive free inspection to assess the situation.
Below are common problem signs indicating you could have mold growing beneath your floors:
Most people describe mold as smelling damp or stale. Some suggest it smells like the earth. Regardless, most people can identify the smell of mold and the scent lingers in the air. The fact that you are smelling mold means it is growing and should be inspected.
Bouncy or sagging floors are an indicator that mold is present and has taken its toll on the wood in your crawl space. Since joists and beams support your floors, when they are weakened by wood rot, you notice spongy or uneven floors in numerous places throughout your home.
When mold is present in the crawl space, it easily finds its way into the living areas of your home thanks to the stack effect. You may notice increased asthma attacks, or eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation.
A pest’s ideal environment is a dark, damp space. Does that sound like your crawl space? In addition to leaving their droppings inside your crawl space, pests easily find a way upstairs where you’ll notice them quickly.
How to Get Rid of Mold in Crawl Spaces
It’s common knowledge that mold is a problem, so what are you going to do about it? While removing the mold won’t stop it from returning unless you take the next step, encapsulation does provide you with the ultimate comfort knowing the mold is no longer eating away at your home’s wooden support systems.
We recommend eco-friendly, chemical-free soda blasting mold removal. Similar to sandblasting, soda blasting is a gentler alternative to clean away mold in your crawl space.
- Safe: Since zero harmful chemicals are used, hazardous fumes are not a problem.
- Not Abrasive: Soda blasting works by eliminating only the mold deposit. Other options like sandblasting can damage the wood beneath the mold.
- Fast: Large areas of mold can be removed quickly with this one-step process.
- Deodorizing: Soda blasting has the added benefit of absorbing unpleasant scents as it removes the mold.
- Easy Clean-Up: If excess soda is used, clean-up is simple.
Soda blasting uses sodium bicarbonate (similar to baking soda) and compressed air to propel particles against the area that needs cleaning. That means any mold is removed from your crawl space structure without damage to the wood itself. This eco-friendly option means homeowners in places like Tennessee and Alabama can be present during the work and since baking soda also cleans, musty smells are deodorized and sanitized at the same time.
While soda blasting machines are available for purchase online, it’s best to have a trained professional perform the job. While soda blasting won’t damage wood if used correctly, using the wrong PSI, for example, can result in damage to the important wood structures. Not to mention as mold is removed, spores are released into the air creating an unhealthy environment.
After Mold Removal, Ensure it Doesn’t Come Back: Encapsulation
Regardless of how you decide to get rid of the mold in your crawl space, the most important part is the next step. It’s essential to prevent mold from reoccurring.
Mold needs three things to survive: organic material, air, and moisture. Since removing oxygen and organic material (like your home’s joists and support beams) isn’t an option, the moisture must be eliminated. By encapsulating your crawl space, you lock out moisture like groundwater and humid outside air. Eliminating these factors stops moisture from entering, causing mold to go dormant and eventually die.
Since excessive amounts of moisture can cause mold growth, choosing a company with a proven track record to seal and eliminate moisture inside the crawl space is essential. Groundworks is the local expert that does just that. After encapsulating thousands of crawl spaces across the country, we can identify the custom solution for your crawl space. In some situations, a crawl space dehumidifier and sump pump might be necessary, while in others, the best solution is drainage and floor joist repair. Regardless, encapsulation will always involve a vapor barrier on the floor and walls to close off the outside and create a dry usable space.
Contact Groundworks for Permanent Crawl Space Solutions
Groundworks has the best products to repair even the trickiest crawl spaces. Our solutions come with transferable, long-term warranties. Several have lifetime warranties, meaning as long as the home is standing, we guarantee our product will protect it.
Schedule your free, no-obligation inspection with an expert in your area. Having employees who understand the region and unique soil conditions is key to lasting solutions.