Dealing with Mold in your Crawlspace

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

This crawlspace had a hot water leak for an unknown amount of time causing mold to grow throughout the crawlspace and necessitating drying.

Many homes in Wichita have crawlspaces instead of basements and sometimes in addition to basements. Crawlspaces can be a source of moisture and mold problems and since most people do not crawl around them regularly those problems are often out of control once they are discovered.

We recently did a moisture inspection for a homeowner who was concerned about moisture and mold because the humidity in their home had been bad for 4 months. After some inspecting, we found that a hot water line was leaking and had turned their crawlspace into a sauna. It was the perfect environment for mold which was covering the joists and subfloor.

Fortunately, not only do we inspect crawlspaces we also remediate the mold inside them and dry them down when needed. What is important is for you to identify the signs of mold or water in your crawlspace and act quickly to stop it from damaging your property.

Signs of Mold

1. Musty odor. A musty smell in your crawlspace or home will can indicate moisture or growth.
2. Pay attention to water pressure and bills. If you suddenly see a large drop in water pressure from something like your faucet or shower it might be a sign of leak. Additionally, if your water bill shoots up without you using more water than usual that is also a strong sign of a leak.
3. Pay attention to your floor. If you notice laminate or similar flooring starting to warp, or if the sub-floor sags or feels weak that is a sign of some serious water damage or wood rot.
4. Air in the crawlspace typically will move up from the crawlspace into your home due to a process called the stack effect. The air movement between a crawlspace with mold into your home moves the mold from the crawlspace into your home. Pay attention to your body and notice if you are seeing any possible symptoms of mold exposure.

What should you do if you suspect mold in your crawlspace?

If you see any of these signs of mold or moisture in your crawlspace there are a few actions you can take. If you have a HVAC unit in the crawlspace shutting off your unit can help stop your HVAC system from blowing spores around your home. Try to figure out where the moisture is coming from and stop more moisture from coming in if possible. Finally give us a call and schedule an inspection with us and we can help you make it "Like it never even happened."

Our number is 316-684-6700. Call Today!