Mold Matters: How to Detect, Prevent, and Remediate Mold in Your Crawlspace

Mold loves dark, damp places, and your crawl space is its favorite hideout. Recognizing mold early can save you a ton of trouble. Look out for musty odors, visible mold growth on wood or insulation, and excessive humidity. These signs scream “mold” louder than a horror movie screams “don’t go in there.”

Detecting Mold

Musty Odors: If your crawl space smells musty or earthy, investigate further. Mold often emits distinct odors.

Visible Mold Growth: Inspect wooden beams, subfloor, and insulation. Round, speckled growth patterns are typical signs of mold.

Excessive Humidity: Use a moisture meter to check the subfloor and adjacent joists. Relative humidity readings above 55% are suspicious.

Preventing Mold

Address Moisture Sources: Fix any leaks, plumbing issues, or drainage problems promptly. Keep the crawl space dry.

Vapor Barrier Installation: Install a durable, 10 mil and above vapor barrier over the ground and up sidewalls, extending 6 inches below floor joists. This prevents moisture from seeping in.

Dehumidification: Dehumidifiers are installed leveled over concrete blocks to make them drain any air moisture by gravity out of the crawlspace or the sump pump.

Remediation Steps

Crawlspace Renovations can find the pesky sources of water and humidity creating mold in

your crawlspace. Once the source is addressed, remediation includes measures to repair any damage and install barriers and or dehumidifiers to prevent future mold problems.

Contact our team to receive an evaluation of your (potential) mold problems.