December 11th, 2020
If there is a mold problem in your home, then you probably already know how frustrating it can be. It is also hard to know exactly what it is you should be doing in this kind of situation as well, especially if you have no experience with mold.
Well, if you have recently discovered mold in your home’s crawlspace, we are here to walk you through the mold remediation process to help you make more informed decisions.
Is There Mold?
First of all, you have to be sure there is mold in your crawlspace. The best ways to determine if there is mold is being able to actually see the evidence of mold. However, mold isn’t always that noticeable, so you may have to rely on other non-visual cues like scent. There is a very distinct and unpleasant odor when mold is present.
If you see or smell mold, then you want to test the mold to see what kind it is you have to deal with. It is hard to manage the mold issue without this information. It also helps to know how to handle the mold issue safely during the cleanup process.
Why Is There Mold?
Next, you need to determine why there is mold in the first place so you can rectify the situation and prevent it from happening again. A lot of mold growth is the result of some kind of water damage . So, check your crawlspace for any leaks, flooding, and humidity issues. Mold loves moisture and is what feeds the mold and causes it to grow and spread rapidly.
The crawlspace of a home makes the perfect environment for mold growth because it is dark, above-freezing temperatures, moist, and there is plenty of oxygen to allow the mold to grow. In these kinds of favorable conditions, the mold can grow in as little as 24 hours.
Cleaning the Mold in the Crawlspace
Once you determine what kind of mold you have and the extent of the mold growth, it is time for cleanup. If there is over 10 square feet of space affected, you will want to contact a mold remediation company to come in and assess the situation.
You need to start by having the cause of the mold repaired. So, if you have a leak, water damage, or excess humidity, address these issues first, and then you can start the mold cleanup process.
A mold remediation expert like those at Meridian Foundation Repair and Waterproofing can come in and assess the mold problem and then walk you through exactly what needs to be done to clean up the mold, kill it, and repair the crawlspace.
Serious problems can arise if you choose to ignore the mold instead of taking action. The symptoms of mold exposure can range from headaches to chronic coughing, fatigue, and sinus infections. These symptoms can become worse for those who are already immunocompromised.
So, don’t delay. When you see the first signs of mold in or around the home, call in the experts 833-640-7719.