Homeowners beware of mold spores when clawing your way through your crawl space.
Mold is a homeowner’s worst enemy. Just imagine inching your way through your crawl space with baking soda in a DIY mold remediation attempt, only to find the mold problem returning in no time. But how to remove mold from your crawl space the right way?
As a homeowner, you want to avoid the above situation at all costs because mold:
- Poses nasty health risks when spores are released into the air, causing “toxic mold syndrome”, allergic reactions, and respiratory problems.
- Causes structural damage feeding on organic materials like wood and insulation, deteriorating structural elements over time.
- Decreases property value with potential buyers factoring in potential structural weakness or underlying problems like leaks or humidity.
Depending on the underlying cause of the mold problem and the types of mold, you can resolve your subfloor mold issue before it overtakes your living space, affects your indoor air quality, and threatens your health.
Over 75,000 people are hospitalized and 9 million outpatient visits occur yearly due to fungal infections, statistics from the CDC show. That’s likely just the tip of the iceberg, as many fungal diseases are never diagnosed or reported.
In this guide, we share how to remove mold from a crawl space yourself and in which cases you should call in a mold remediation company. We cover:
- What causes mold growth in your crawl space
- How to remove mold from a crawl space
- When to call in the experts
Read on to discover how to kill mold once and for all.
[Don’t let mold jeopardize your property and health. Call Lux Restoration to get your home or commercial property 100% free of mold infestations.]
What causes mold growth in my crawl space?
Many reasons exist for subfloor mold growth. Most of them have to do with excess moisture and humidity levels. Due to the region’s weather – high humidity levels in summer and storm surges in winter – Long Island and New York State homeowners often face mold problems in their property.
Long Island especially faces increasing water damage as water levels rise and severe weather events like flooding become more frequent, as data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows. Compounding the issues, coastal regions are slowly sinking into the Atlantic due to overpumping of groundwater, the New York Times reported.
Source: NOAA
No proper sealing
Humid weather conditions can increase moisture levels inside your crawl space, particularly if that space is not properly sealed due to damaged crawl space insulation (like crawl space encapsulation and vapor barriers), or a cracked foundation.
Moisture can then naturally seep from the soil and dirt underneath your home and into the crawl space, creating the perfect environment for rampant mold growth.
Leaky pipes
Plumbing leaks, whether from pipes within the crawl space or from above, can cause moisture buildup.
Pipes don’t even have to be damaged for moisture to accumulate in your crawl space. Temperature fluctuations can cause condensation on uninsulated pipes, which then increases moisture levels.
Flooding and standing water
An increasingly frequent event on Long Island, flooding can be disastrous for your crawl space.
If a flooding event affects your property, your crawl space is likely soaked with water which then causes persistent mold growth. Standing water doesn’t only heighten moisture levels but also weakens wood and foundation walls.
Water damage can seriously affect your property and the longer you wait, the longer the water damage restoration process takes.
Poor ventilation
Without proper ventilation, moisture can accumulate in the crawl space, leading to mold growth. But the same vents that are intended to prevent moisture can sometimes exacerbate the problem by allowing humid air to enter when the climate is humid, allowing mold spores to proliferate.
You wouldn’t think it, but new HVAC systems that run much colder can cause humidity to skyrocket in your crawl space. When warm, humid air hits the cold ducts, the resulting condensation can create a moisture problem.
How to remove mold from a crawl space
Mold can look like spots of many different colors and is sometimes black. Mildew looks more powdery and is white or gray in its early stages and turns brown as it develops. Mold and mildew often smell musty. If you see or smell mold or mildew, you should immediately remove it.
Cleaning mold from your crawl space is a must to prevent health issues. Do you want to know how to get rid of crawl space mold in a DIY fashion? Or whether it’s even possible?
The short answer is yes, you can – if there is not too much visible mold and if the moisture problem can be solved after the crawl space mold remediation efforts.
Crawl space mold removal is a difficult process that must be done thoroughly and safely. It requires the right equipment and PPE (personal protective equipment). Before you try cleaning mold in your crawl space, make sure to have:
- PPE (personal protective equipment):
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- Respirator with organic vapor cartridges
- Protective gloves
- Coveralls
- Eye protection
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- Cleaning supplies
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- Soap and water solution
- Bleach/borax/white vinegar/hydrogen peroxide-based mold cleaner
- Baking soda
- Mold preventative
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- Equipment
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- Spray bottle
- Rags or sponges
- Soft bristle brush
- HEPA vacuum / Air compressor with blasting capabilities
- Dehumidifier
- Sump pump
- Plastic sheeting
- (Contractor-sized) trash bags
With all the necessary equipment and ample time on your hands, you can now start treating the affected area. Here’s how to remove mold in your crawl space:
1. Drying the crawl space
Your crawl space needs to be completely dry before we can turn to mold removal – otherwise the mold will simple return in 24-48 hours.
If your crawl space is flooded, use a sump pump to get rid of standing water. Install one or multiple industrial-grade dehumidifiers in the crawl space to kickstart the drying process.
Commence the mold removal only once humidity levels have dropped to below 60% (and stay there) and the wood moisture level is under 20%.
2. Preparation and safety measures
Now that you can start cleaning the mold crawl space, make sure to wear a full PPE outfit. Next, use plastic sheeting to seal off the crawl space from the rest of the house to prevent mold spores from infesting other areas.
3. Removing debris and insulation
Clear away all unnecessary materials and debris, such as old plastic sheeting, wood, old pipes, and trash. Bag these materials and dispose of them with trash bags.
Got crawl space insulation? Now is the time to remove fiberglass insulation as it can harbor mold spores. A fully insulated crawl space can fill up anything from 50 to 100 contractor-sized trash bags. You can usually leave foam insulation in place if it hasn’t broken down too much.
4. Surface mold removal
Now that the affected area is ready for treatment, start removing mold from the crawl space surfaces. You can use a HEPA vacuum to effectively get rid of loose mold spores and reduce airborne particles.
Another very effective way to remove mold is through soda blasting. This technique uses an air compressor and baking soda to blast and that way remove visible mold.
If you can’t get your hands on a HEPA vacuum or special air compressor, try removing mold the manual way: by scrubbing with a soft bristle brush and applying firm pressure.
5. Applying cleaning solution
You can now treat the mold problem at a deeper level after most surface mold has been removed. Use a pump spray bottle to apply a cleaning solution that includes bleach, borax, or white vinegar diluted in water. You can also use a store-bought mold cleaner with a hydrogen-peroxide base.
Apply the cleaning agent liberally on all surfaces and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to penetrate and kill the mold.
6. Rinsing and drying
With the cleaning agent of choice having killed the mold, wipe down all cleaned areas with a water and soap solution to remove any mold and residual cleaning solution.
Next, make sure your crawl space is fully dried again to prevent moisture buildup and the reappearance of mold. Use fans and dehumidifiers to accelerate the drying process.
7. Preventing future mold growth
With the affected area thoroughly cleaned and dried, treat the entire crawl space with a mold preventative agent to prevent mold from taking hold of your crawl space in the future.
Then proceed to encapsulate the crawl space by installing a vapor barrier on the floor and walls to lock out and prevent moisture buildup. This involves sealing all cracks and openings. It’s also crucial to address any leaky pipes or other issues that can cause future moisture problems.
Next, install a dehumidifier to maintain humidity levels below 60% in the crawl space. Also ensure proper ventilation to keep the area dry and free of health hazards.
When to call in the experts
Does the above sound like a project you can take on? Then you should get started right away.
But if the question of how to remove black mold from your crawl space (or any type of mold) seems too complex, you might be in over your head. Cleaning crawl space mold is no average Joe’s DIY project and can be harder depending on the affected area.
For instance, the matter of how to remove mold from crawl space floor joists is more complicated than simply treating some walls. When the treatment involves removing and rebuilding structural elements, it might be better to call in the experts.
In fact, there are more situations in which you should turn to professional mold remediation:
1. Extensive mold growth: If the mold extends over a large area (more than 10 square feet), then professional sanitation is recommended. Extensive growth indicates a significant problem that is likely not fixable by do-it-yourselfers.
2. Extensive water damage: if you have had substantial water or flooding in the crawl space, experts should assess and address the water damage along with the mold problem.
3. Structural damage: If you see rotting beams or other signs of structural damage in your crawl space, it is better to bring in professionals who can address both the mold and possible structural problems.
4. Health problems: If you or your family members are already experiencing unexplained health symptoms that may be related to mold exposure, it might be best to have the expert take a look and not potentially expose yourself to more mold.
5. Lack of proper equipment or expertise: Mold remediation requires special equipment and a certain level of handyman skills. If you are unsure whether you can handle the situation safely and effectively, it might be wise to consult the experts.
6. Recurring mold problems: You removed mold from your crawl space once or multiple times, but the problem keeps coming back. This points at an underlying moisture problem that should be treated first before mold can be effectively removed. Call in the experts to get professional assessment and remediation.
7. Difficulty identifying the moisture source: If you can’t locate the moisture source causing the mold growth, experts can help identify and fix the underlying problems.
8. Contamination of HVAC systems: If you suspect the mold has spread to your home’s ventilation system, call in professional intervention ASAP to prevent further contamination. If left untreated, mold spores can spread to every corner of the property.
9. Insurance requirements: Some situations, especially in rental properties or home insurance water damage claims, may require professional documentation and remediation.
Remember, while small-scale mold issues can sometimes be handled DIY, it’s always safer to consult with professionals when in doubt. They can provide thorough inspections, identify hidden mold, and implement comprehensive remediation strategies to ensure your home’s safety and air quality.
[Is there a musty smell coming from your crawl space? Get in touch with us for immediate help. With over 17 years of experience, Lux is the trusted mold remediation expert on Long Island.]