When mold remediation professionals search for the origin of contamination inside a house, the crawl space is usually a prime suspect. Cool temperatures, moisture, absence of ultraviolet sunlight and ample food sources like cellulose in exposed wooden structure make that cramped space beneath your floor a perfect breeding ground.
Microscopic airborne spores released by active mold growth may continuously infiltrate living spaces above through tiny cracks and gaps. When inhaled, toxic spores may cause allergic reactions and other chronic physical symptoms.
Is The Crawl Space Contaminated?
Thriving mold growth in the crawl space is often unnoticed by residents. Even when it's suspected, the signs may be ambiguous:
- A chronic musty odor emanating from below. It's hard to miss, but it may be dismissed as simply common mildew or moisture-related issues.
- Splotchy growth visible on wooden surfaces in the crawl space such as trusses and sub flooring. The growth may be fuzzy or flat. Coloration is typically white or black, but may vary into greenish or purplish hues, too.
Because not everything that looks like mold is mold and not all mold types produce mycotoxins that trigger reactions in humans, mold inspection, air sampling and testing by a qualified mold remediation specialist is critical to confirm presence of mold and determine the type of growth.
How Is Mold Eliminated?
Successful mold remediation incorporates a two-fold approach:
- All active mold growth must be located and physically removed. Then, contaminated surfaces are sterilized with EPA-approved disinfectants specially formulated for the type of mold. Where growing mold has penetrated the surface of wooden building materials, those components may need to be replaced.
- To prevent recurrence, conditions that promote mold growth in the crawl space must be addressed. Moisture sources such as water intrusion during rain and plumbing leaks should be eliminated. The dirt floor may require a plastic vapor barrier to keep out rising soil moisture. In dry climates, addition of vents to increase crawl space cross-ventilation may discourage mold. Conversely, in humid climates, sealing the crawl space entirely and making it a conditioned zone of the house may be preferable.
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