A crawl space is an empty area between the ground and the first floor.
It’s often neglected, and people usually forget about cleaning it. However, finding mold in the crawl space can affect your family’s health in the long run.
So, why does mold grow in your crawl space? What can you do about it?
In this article, we’ll talk about the types of mold that might infest your home and what to do if you have mold in your crawl space. So, let’s dive in.
Why Does Mold Grow in Your Crawl Space?
Having mold in your house is unsanitary, especially where it can grow undetected. Crawl spaces are prone to mold growth because this area is close to the ground.
The moisture from the ground evaporates, creating the perfect environment for mold to grow. Here are some reasons why mold grows in your crawl space.
- Mold spores are in the air, and they just need a damp space with a lot of humidity to grow.
- When neglected, pests can infest your crawl space, carrying mold spores and causing it to grow.
- Organic materials like papers, newspapers, leaves, and wooden boxes provide the best environment for the mold to grow.
- The crawl space is usually cool, and the moisture from the ground makes it perfect for mold growth.
- In most cases, crawl spaces aren’t cleaned regularly, and this gives mold the chance to grow undetected.
What Types of Mold can Grow in your Crawl Space?
Your crawl space can attract three types of mold.
- Black mold is one of the most common types of mold, and it’s also the most dangerous one. It can be dark gray or greenish, and it releases chemicals that can cause severe allergic reactions.
- White mold appears powdery and fuzzy and can grow on the soil or wooden structures. It also leads to health issues.
- Yellow mold affects the foundations of your house because it feeds on wood.
How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Crawl Space
Taking prompt action if there’s mold in your crawl space is essential.
You need to remove the mold as soon as possible before it grows and spreads to other areas of your house.
Unfortunately, this is a problem you might not be able to tackle on your own, especially if you have a big crawl space or mold has been growing for a while. Therefore, hiring a professional to check the mold and find its root cause is always recommended.
You need to find an experienced specialist to inspect your crawl space and find the reason why your crawl space is attracting mold.
The expert will clean the crawl space, remove all the mold, and find the root cause. It will also provide a permanent solution to prevent mold from returning to your crawl space.
How Much Does Crawl Space Mold Removal Cost?
The cost of removing mold depends on the type of mold detected and the overall area of the crawl space.
Other factors that can also lead to an increase in the cost of mold removal include damaged wooden structures, pest infestation, and damaged foundations.
An expert will come and inspect your crawl space and determine the cost of mold removal upon assessing the damage.
In most cases, the cost is between $15 to $30 per square foot. This is a total cost between $500 and $4000 for the whole crawl space.
However, the cost can increase up to $6000 if you have to do some repair work or install insulation to protect the crawl space from further mold growth.
In case of severe damage, you might have to pay as much as $15,000 to insulate your crawl space and keep it safe.
How Can You Keep Mold Out of Your Crawl Space?
After cleaning the mold, you need to make sure that it won’t infest your crawl space again. Here are some measures to take to keep your crawl space mold-free.
- Fix all leaking pipes and other water fixtures to keep the crawl space dry.
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce the levels of humidity.
- Seal the crawl space to prevent flooding after rain.
- Replace any decaying wooden beams or fixtures.
- Make sure the crawl space is clean and free from organic materials like papers, newspapers, and cardboard boxes.
- Repair all the cracks in the crawl space to prevent water from pooling into the crawl space.
- Always dry the crawl space in case of accidental flooding.
Final Thoughts
Mold can grow in your crawl space and affect the health of your family.
The crawl space is often humid and neglected, giving mold a chance to thrive. This is why proper cleaning is necessary.
Mold removal is better done by a professional, who will determine the cost depending on the severity of the problem and the size of the crawl space.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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