Crawl spaces are notorious for being damp and humid. Dirt floors in a crawl space naturally absorb moisture from oversaturated soil exterior of the home, especially after heavy rains. Combine this rising damp with a vented and unconditioned crawl space that allows hot humid air to enter, and the result is higher relative humidity beneath the home.
Unfortunately, where there is moisture, microbial growth (most often referred to by customers as mold) is not far behind. Mold and mildew thrive in the damp, humid conditions found in crawl spaces. The best way to prevent microbial growth is to encapsulate the crawl space with a vapor barrier and install a dehumidifier. Additionally, a sump pump and a drain system can be installed to remove any water that does get into the crawl space.
Breathe easier with Ox Foundation Solutions mold treatment. If you have mold problems in your crawl space, our microbial growth services can help. For a free inspection, call our office today at 205-690-7272.
R.T.E. Mold Inspection Services in Alabama
At Ox Foundation Solutions, we offer professional crawl space mold inspection services across the state of Alabama. Our team of licensed and certified experts will inspect your crawl space for signs of mold and mildew growth. We will also check for any other signs of water damage, such as wet or damp insulation, condensation on air ducts, high humidity levels, and wood rot or decay.
Once we have completed our inspection, we will provide you with a detailed solution to address our findings. If we find signs of mold or mildew growth, we will recommend the best course of action to resolve the problem. We will also provide you with an estimate for our services, so you know exactly what to expect.
Our most effective mold prevention treatment plans include three steps. Once we inspect the crawl space thoroughly for microbial growth and discover anything from black mold and mildew to other types of fungal growth, we will design a customized repair plan to:
- Remove the microbial growth
- Treat the area for microbial growth
- Encapsulate the crawl space
Remove + Treat + Encapsulation = Healthy Crawl Space. This three-step process is necessary to effectively treat and prevent mold and microbial growth. Mold removal alone, even by a highly trained professional, will not prevent its return. Changing the environment where microbial growth thrives is the only way to prevent mold from coming back. You can breathe easier knowing your crawl space is a healthy space with our three-step R.T.E. mold treatment process that includes crawl space encapsulation.
How to Prevent Mold Growth & Mildew in Your Crawl Space
If you have a crawl space that is damp, humid, and musty, then you have a problem. Here are a few things you can do to prevent microbial growth in your crawl space.
- Encapsulate the crawl space: One of the best ways to prevent microbial growth in your crawl space is to install an encapsulation system in your crawl space. A thick vapor barrier is installed to cover the dirt floor of the crawl space and sealed to the foundation walls along the edges. This creates a barrier between the soil and the crawl space air that prevents moisture from evaporating into the crawl space.
- Install a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier is another way to help prevent microbial growth in your crawl space. A dehumidifier is a device that removes moisture from the air. By removing the moisture from the air, a dehumidifier can help keep your crawl space dry and free of microbial growth.
- Install a sump pump system: A sump pump system is a device that is installed in the lowest part of your crawl space. It is designed to remove water from the crawl space and help prevent water damage.
If you have a crawl space that is damp, humid, and musty, then you need to have it inspected by a licensed professional who can help you put a plan in place to prevent mold growth in the crawl space.
Why Is It Important to Treat Mold Growth in Your Crawl Space?
Mold growth in your crawl space can lead to a number of problems in your home. When mold grows in your crawl space, it can contaminate your space with spores. These mold spores can then travel into your home through natural airflow, and they can spread throughout your house. When you breathe in air contaminated with mold spores, you can experience a number of health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma. Mold can also cause your home to develop a musty odor, which can be difficult to eliminate.
Mold growth in your crawl space can also cause structural problems in your home. This fungus can eat away at the wood that supports your home, causing it to become weak and unstable. If the wood in your crawl space weakens, it cannot adequately support the weight of your home. Your house could sag and settle, all because of microbial growth.
Signs of Mold Growth in Your Crawl Space
Microbial growth in a crawl space is not something to take lightly. The microbial growth in your crawl space can cause a number of problems for your home and your health. If you or your family members experience these symptoms, you may have mold problems in the crawl space:
Some of the most common signs of mold growth in a crawl space include:
- Wood Rot
Mold can eat away at the wood that supports your home. If you notice wood rot anywhere around your crawl space, you should call our team to conduct a thorough mold inspection. - Musty Odors
If mold grows in your crawl space, you may notice a musty odor in your home. Mold spores cause this odor, which can spread throughout the house. - Water Stains
Mold thrives in damp places. If you notice water stains around the home or specifically in your crawl space, mold may already be taking root. - Condensation
High humidity levels in your crawl space can cause condensation. This excess moisture creates the perfect environment for mold spores to grow and spread. If you notice condensation on the air ducts or anywhere in your crawl space, you should call our team to inspect it for mold and microbial growth.
If you notice any of these signs in your crawl space, then you need to have it inspected by a licensed professional. The longer you wait to address the problem with mold remediation, the worse it will get. A professional licensed in microbial growth can help you determine the cause of the problem and recommend the best course of action to resolve it. Reach out to Ox mold experts today and turn your crawl space into a healthy space.
