If your home has a space below the first floor where the piping connects different areas of the house, you've got a crawl space. These spaces are great for hiding plumbing, ventilation, and other parts of the home that need to be accessible, but aren't aesthetically pleasing. Similar to basements, these spaces can be colder, and are exposed to more moisture than the rest of the home, which can lead to a few problems, including mold.

In short, mold is a fungus, which grows from organic materials. Here are a few of the key things mold needs to grow:

• Ideal temperatures are between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's possible for it to grow in anywhere from 40-100 degrees
• Water, humidity, any kind of moisture is vital for mold to grow
• Oxygen, though it can grow at extremely low levels
• Organic matter to eat, like wood, paper, cardboard, dirt, dust, etc.

This is part of the reason why mold can be so difficult to get rid of- it's resilient, and low-maintenance, and even when it disappears, spores can lay dormant indefinitely.

Signs of Mold

Other than the more obvious signs, there are a few things that can alert you to the presence of mold in your crawl space:

• White powdery substance on the concrete, wood beams, or other areas of the crawl space
• Musty, odd smell coming from below the first floor, or especially from areas where ventilation is bringing air into the home
• Increase in allergy symptoms or asthma issues
• Physical symptoms from those living in the home: runny nose, red eyes, rashes, headaches, etc

Preventing Mold in Crawl Spaces

Though crawl spaces can be ideal places for mold to grow, unlike basements, there is more access to fresh air, and therefore a better chance to ventilate properly to avoid mold growth. Here are a few ways to stop mold in its tracks:

• Keep humidity low (install dehumidifier, keep ventilation working properly)
• Remove/replace all items or parts of crawl space that already have mold growing
• Maintain pipes/HVAC to avoid leaks
• Repair any leaks quickly and dry thoroughly
• Treat areas of high risk with a solution of your choice

BioClean

If you are already struggling to get rid of the mold in your crawl space, contact us for professional assistance today!