First Aid For Moldy Crawl Spaces
- Watch out: Do not enter or work in a moldy area without wearing proper respiratory and other personal protection.
- Prevent mold movement into the living area: As with a moldy basement, keep openings between the crawl space and living space closed as much as possible.
- Remove wet or mold-suspect insulation.
- Test representative samples of mold before going to a major expense to be sure you’re not just looking at cosmetic mold on framing lumber,or at something else that is not even mold.If a large area of visibly moldy material is present professional cleaning and remediation are probably in order. Inthat case, a building inspection and preparation of a mold remediation plan is a good idea – that work should be performed by someone who hasno conflicts of interest – in other words, not by the mold cleanup company or their agent.Follow any costly mold remediation jobwith a clearance inspection and test before you make final payment.
- Review MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE Correct the Causes of Mold and Prevent Indoor Mold or other indoor environment problems
I Recently Renovated A Bathroom There Is New Sheetrock Plaster And Paint In This One Area The Wall Started Bubbling When We Chipped Away At The Loose Paint There Was White Stuff That Grows Back When Removed This Wall Is Next To The Tub/shower Is This Mold What Should I Do
This doesnt look like mold growth. It appears to be deformation of the mud/plaster due to excess water. I recommend investigating further with a moisture meter. Your goal is to identify whether the water is 1.) Entering the wall from the backside 2.) Occurring due to splashing water during shower usage, or 3.) Excessively wet mud/plaster was used during the install and is deteriorating as it dries out.
If its the latter option, the moisture meter should show lower moisture content levels with each passing day.
What Is Mold Anyway
Molds are fungi. Fungi are neither animals nor plants. They inhabit a kingdom all their own. Fungi are spore producing organisms that feed on organic matter and include: yeasts, mildews, rusts, smuts, molds, and mushrooms. Fungi grow using filaments or hyphae that make up their bodies . They digest organic matter externally before absorbing the nutrients.
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I Cannot See Mould Or Damp On Any Walls Nor Solid Wood Floors Of My 102 Year Old House However Black Footwear Both Plastic & Leather Have A White Film On Them Is This Mould
Assuming the shoes are stored in a closet, it is likely mold growth. White mold growth on shoes is nearly always due to high humidity. Closets in an older home often suffer from elevated humidity due to the lack of air flow and heat, combined with poorly insulated exterior walls. Keeping the closet door slightly open is often enough to solve the issue. This will allow heat to enter the area and moisture to escape. You can also assist the dry out by installing a moisture absorbing material such as Damp Rid.
Im Building A New Home And We Havent Even Moved In Yet And We Noticed This This Week
Unfortunately, this is fairly common in new construction. There are a couple of possible causes. The subfloor and joists often become saturated by rain before the roof is installed. Over the subsequent weeks, mold growth forms before the building materials can dry out. Another common cause is exposed soil in the crawl space. Most builders wait until the very end to install the vapor barrier. If the soil beneath the home is damp, this can create high humidity conditions in the crawl space. Over time this will cause mold growth on the joists.
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Why Should You Be Concerned About Crawlspace Mold
Mold can result in a negative impact on your health
One of the easiest places for mold to grow is in your crawl space since it doesnt necessarily require sunlight to grow. In fact, the major factor that mold needs for growth is moisture.
Mold can result in a negative impact on your health and continued exposure to crawl space mold can lead to a range of health issues. These problems may include eye irritation, coughing, wheezing, nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, eye irritation or even skin irritation.
Furthermore, some more serious ailments like obstructive lung disease have been linked to prolonged exposure to mold and damp places in general. And what makes this type of mold a lot more dangerous is the fact that you dont have to go into your basement to be exposed.
Thanks to the Stack effect, the air from your crawl space finds its way into your house and circulates. Since heat rises, warmer air rises which then brings along with it various particles. Some of these particles are crawl space mold.
Institute of Medicine publications in 2007, 2010, and 2011 reiterated evidence that linked association with damp spaces and indoor mold to respiratory illnesses. Therefore, spending time in a place with mold present such as your crawl space is a potential cause of ill health.
Wood Rot On Bottom Of Joists
Amazingly, this was not due to direct saturation, but rather extreme humidity in the crawl space. This kind of damage is extremely rare.
Water Damage on Subfloor in Crawlspace
- Inspection of crawlspace revealed moderate mold growth throughout significant areas of subfloor and floor joists.
- Significant areas of rot were noted in framing along exterior wall, the inspector was able to pass a 3.5 knife blade completely into the rim-joist along the back foundation wall.
Recommended Reading: Cleaning Mold From Bathroom Ceiling
How To Identify Mold Vs Mildew In Your Home
Mold and mildew are often spoken of together, almost as if they were the same substance. We fear mold and mildew growing below our homes in crawl spaces, under house siding, around the bathroom wall surround, and behind the sink. Excessive, pervasive mold and mildew can hamper a house sale or cause homeowners to move their bedroom elsewhere. Neither mold nor mildew is welcomed in the home, in any form.
Though related, mold and mildew are separate microorganisms that grow differently and must be treated differently. Safely eradicating mold and mildew is crucial to keeping you safe and your home in good shape.
Hello I Am Converting My Families Vhs Tapes To Digital And A Few Have What Appear To Be White Mold Would You Know The Type That Grows On Tapes This Is A Long Process That Will Take A Few Weeks How Is It Best To Store The Tapes And Vcr Is There Anything I Can Place Around The Tapes To Help Reduce The Spread To My Place
I wouldnt worry about identifying the specific type of mold growth. The remediation and prevention is the same, regardless of species. Your need to lower the humidity in the area these tapes are stored. Aim for a relative humidity of < 50% with< 60% as your maximum. If you live in a climate with cool winters, this can be achieved by increasing the ventilation to the storage area and increasing the heat/temperature. The higher the temp, the lower the RH. Purchase a relative humidity gauge to monitor your efforts. If you live in a very humid location such as Florida, youll need active dehumidification.
Humidity problems are typically worse in closets or cabinets, due to the poor air flow. Try moving the tapes to an area that is more actively conditioned/heated.
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Preventing Mold Caused By Basement Condensation Issues
There are two methods to prevent mold growth in your basement caused by moisture and condensation.
Try anti-mildew paint in your basement
Re-paint your concrete foundation where youre experiencing surface mold growth with an antifungal paint such as KILZ . These types of paints advertise that they prevent mold growth on the surface of the paint. In my experience, they dont always work, though.
Insulate your foundation to prevent condensation
The second thing you can do would be to insulate your concrete foundation walls. There are many different options: Styrofoam, spray-foam, or finishing the basement. Insulated walls would prevent that difference in temperature that causes condensation and mold growth.
Efflorescence Or Mold Water Damage In Basements Or Crawl Spaces
I heard an unfortunate story recently about a pair of new homeowners who hadnt properly inspected their basement before they moved in. While the home was mostly in good shape, with a sound roof, a recently remodeled kitchen, and new floors throughout, it only took three months of living there to realize they may have overlooked some troubling signs in their walk-in basement and in the crawl space under the breezeway.
Image Source: Stego® Industries, LLC.
They noticed a white material on the basement walls that was damp to the touch, and upon further inspection, they found a similar substance in the crawl space. Although the crawl space would not be regularly used , it was still an issue they needed to address before it became a health risk.
Besides identifying the source of the moisture, it was important for the homeowners to determine whether the white substance in question was a case of efflorescence or a more harmful mold, both of which result from moisture intrusion. If youve never heard the term before, efflorescence is a salt deposit that can appear on the exterior or interior of a structure, and its easily mistaken for mold or mildew. For homeowners trying to troubleshoot moisture problems in their basement, understanding the difference is important to be able to treat and prevent it.
Recognizing Efflorescence in Your Basement or Crawl Space
How to Determine If Theres Mold
Preventing Further Moisture at the Source
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Ten Things You Most Likely Didnt Know About Crawl Space Mold Removal
Crawl spaces are notorious for growing mold. How do you know if you need crawl space mold removal? When mold grows in your home, there are symptoms of that mold you need to know. What do you do if you think you have mold? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about crawl space mold removal.
Mold On Joists In Crawl Space
Just as stachyboytrys exposure can eat away at your health, it can eat away at the wooden joists of your house. The joists not only provide a home for the substance they also act as a nutrient. As the stachyboytrys feeds on the cellulose material of the wood, it grows, emitting a strong, musty smell as it does so.
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Reasons To Hire A Professional For Mold Removal
1. Mold Removal Is Not Simple
It is not easy to get rid of mold. Mold spores also grow in areas you may not know like crevices and cracks in walls and floors. If you hire a mold remediation company, you don’t have to worry about this. They will have mold detection equipment and catch all the areas infected. Chances are, you have Googled everything you need to DIY and learned about some of the tips and tricks people use to do it.
2. They’ll keep an eye on the situation and try to prevent it from spreading.
Most DIY procedures contribute to the spread of mold, and could make it a bigger problem. Clean up is especially sensitive because if not done properly, most of the mold will settle somewhere else and continue to grow. When professionals do the cleaning and removal process, they have enough knowledge and expertise to contain the spread and completely eliminate all the spores.
3. They are well-versed and experienced in their field.
The most significant reason why you should hire professional home mold remediation experts is the knowledge and expertise they bring to the table. They have been trained to handle all types of mold and will know exactly what to do to get rid of the mold completely. They can deal with jobs of any type or extent, and will effectively remove the mold as efficiently as possible.
4. They’ll help you save time and money.
5. They’ll keep you from having to deal with problems in the future.
What About The Gutters
All gutters and downspouts should be directed away from the home, as well. This will prevent several different problems related to water damage. If water is flowing toward the homes foundation, there is definite cause for concern.
While youre at it, keep those gutters clear. Gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris are asking for trouble, either to the drainage system itself, to the roof, to the foundation, or to the walls of the home.
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What Does Crawl Space Mold Removal Look Like
If the inspection of your home indicates that you have mold, your inspector will let you know the extent of the damage, and what repairs need to be made, such as fixing leaking pipes. The inspector will define the extent of the necessary work, and what may or may not need to be done. Your inspector should talk through all your options and tailor a plan that fits your needs and your budget.
To learn about the mold removal or remediation process from start to finish check out our post Home Mold Remediation for all the details.
Especially if you dont live in our service area, you need to check out our post: How to Choose a Mold Removal Company. We tell you every question you should ask a mold removal company, and give you the details you need to know.
White Mold In Your Car
Even though your car isnt technically your home, it is still one of the more common places we have found white mold. The truth is that moisture can easily make its way into your car, whether through the air conditioner, a poorly sealed window, door or sunroof, a spill, or simply an open window. Once mold has started growing inside your car, it can quickly spread onto upholstery, carpeting, and seatsultimately destroying your vehicle. And if mold has gotten inside your cars air conditioner, it will circulate through the air and expose you to potentially toxic mold spores. The best indication that your car has mold is white spots or an earthy odour.
Also Check: Mold Pros
Is Mold In Crawl Space Common
Mold in crawl space under the house is an eyesore, and it is not a good sign, either because its indicative of a much bigger problem upstairs. Just how common is mold in crawl space? Mold under the house in crawl space is not unusual in the US and Canada, and the good news is, its largely preventable.
Examples Of Mold Growth
While concrete may create some confusion, mold growth in a crawl space is typically easy to recognize. In most cases, the mold will appear in a round, speckled growth pattern. Youre unlikely to see the uniform, black appearance as is common in attics. As the growth intensifies it expands in a 3-dimensional pattern.
Light / moderate mold growth on the subfloor typically due to saturation during the original construction.
Heavy mold growth
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Crawlspace And Basement Mold Treatment
Look for a provider who has experience with Charlotte area basement mold remediation and offers state-of the art treatments. Your mold treatment specialist should offer a superior, safe, and environmental-friendly technique of mold removal. In addition to mold treatment, look for a moisture treatment company who provides crawl space and basement waterproofing and yard drainage solutions. Mold problems and water go hand-in-hand, treating one without treating the other will lead to more mold problems in the future.
Ask about dry ice blasting, a safe and environmentally friendly mold remediation service.
If you suspect a basement mold problem in your home, Moisture Loc is OSHA certified and ready to help. Contact Moisture Loc for a free consultation today.
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S For Cleaning Mold On Floor Joists In Crawl Space
Tackling mold in the crawl space and along the floor joists is a physical job. It takes a lot of scrubbing and the ability to squeeze into tight spaces. Because of these working conditions, you need the property safety gear and cleaning agents to get the job done quickly and without jeopardizing your health. Have the following personal protective equipment:
- Goggles
You also need to gather cleaning supplies:
- Plastic sheeting
- Sponges/old cloths
- Brush, putty knife, or small shovel
Before proceeding, you need to decide on what you are using to clean up the mold you find in the crawl space. Some individuals choose to make their own household solution cleaners. You can use ammonia, bleach, tea tree oil, or vinegar to remove the mold. You can also purchase a commercial-grade cleaner, such as a mold remediation company would use.
Whatever you decide to use, you need to be thorough and systematic in your approach to getting rid of the fungus. Here how to get started with mold removal:
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Discovered This In Crawl Space Wondering If You Know What Kind We Used Fog Machine With Mold Control And It Came Back
Interesting growth profile. It appears the mold is only growing on a specific substance adjacent to the joist. I cant tell what it is from the photo.
Any mildicide will kill the mold. In order to prevent regrowth, youll need to eliminate the moisture source. Something is causing excess moisture in this specific area.
It also appears you have black mold growing on the bottom and side of the floor joist. If this is systemic throughout the crawl space, it likely indicates excess humidity/poor ventilation.
