One of the common problems that homeowners with crawl spaces encounter is mold growth. The crawl space is located in a secluded and tight space. It is often dark and damp, too. The moisture and humidity levels in this area are also quite high, making it more prone to mold growth. And because molds don’t need sunlight to propagate, they can easily and quickly grow in crawl spaces.
Mold Remediation
Mold remediation can be a very challenging, expensive, and time-consuming project. It can’t be done just by anyone. Molds are quite stubborn and difficult to eliminate especially if they already have occupied most of the areas inside the crawl space. Apart from removing the mold itself, getting rid of the nasty smell that is left behind is yet another problem that you need to deal with. Not to mention the quite limited area inside the crawl space which can restrict your movements, making it more difficult for you to move around.
If you want to completely remove all the molds in the ground, walls, and ceilings of the crawl space as well as in the joists and foundation of your house, you will need the expertise of a professional. Mold removal professionals can also help find ways to prevent molds from growing back.
Different Ways To Prevent Mold Growth In The Crawl Space
As earlier said, mold removal is quite a challenging and costly project to take on. You surely don’t want to go through such a headache, right? If so, it would be best to find ways to prevent mold growth from occurring in the first place. As the old folks say, prevention is better than cure. And in this case, it would be more economical and convenient to prevent mold growth than doing mold remediation.
Knowing the different ways to prevent mold growth in the crawl space will help make your project successful. Here are some of them.
- Install a Rat slab
The rat slab will prevent the groundwater from getting into the surface area of the crawl space. It also helps keep the area clean and dry.
- Crawl space ventilation
There are talks about whether to vent or not to vent the crawl space. Both arguments offer valid points, though. Some say that crawl space ventilation can help regulate the atmosphere inside the area while other people say that allowing outdoor air to circulate in the crawl space will only make the humidity levels high, thus, vents should be closed. Our stand is that it depends on the type of ventilation you use. The most important thing, though, is to use a ventilator that automatically opens and closes based on the temperature.
- Water-proof your crawl space
High moisture and humidity levels are the primary factors that encourage the growth of mold and mildew in the crawl space. The best way to prevent mold growth is to keep the area dry and clean. And one way of doing so is water-proofing the crawl space.
There are different ways to waterproof the crawl space like installing a rat slab, applying waterproof sealants in the walls and floors of the crawl space, using a dehumidifier, installing vapor barriers, insulation, and encapsulation.
Routine inspection
Doing routine inspection at least once or twice a year can help prevent mold growth. Check if there are any leaks in the plumbing pipes and HVAC ducts, or holes and cracks in the walls where the water from the outside can get through. Routine inspection can help you identify any problem early on, act quickly, and prevent it from getting serious.