How to Get Rid of Crawl Space Mold?

Crawl Space Mold is not a curse that you have to deal with in Chester County, PA.

When crawl space mold is discovered in your home, it often comes with anxiety regarding the structural integrity of the building and the health of the inhabitants.

​You may have had no idea that that musty odor was actually mold.

However, there’s no need to fear; mold is actually much more common than most people think. Although there can be mold anywhere in your home, crawl space mold is one of the most common. 

According to a Washington State University Energy Program Report, the humid air in crawl spaces significantly increases mold and moisture problems.  

The spores of different types of mold often settle in these dark, moist areas, and can grow exponentially if not addressed.

Before you go diving in your crawl space on the hunt for crawl space mold, take a few moments to read about the types, potential dangers, and possible solutions regarding crawl space mold.

Why should crawl space mold be a concern for me or my family?

Crawl space mold can be extremely variable in terms of what kind of mold is growing in the area, which ultimately impacts the potential dangers.

Hence, the crawl space mold should be addressed as soon as possible. Some of the potential causes of crawl space mold include:

• Leaky plumbing systems
• High humidity in outdoor air
• Poor drainage
• High water tables

If any of these issues arise, and they do in Chester County, there is a chance that you have crawl space mold. If not addressed, this crawl space mold can travel through the air via vents or cracks.

Especially if asthma or allergies are present, many types of crawl space mold spores can lead to increased respiratory difficulties for you or members of your family.

Crawl space mold can range in type, including:

• Alternaria Mold: Can cause coughing, sneezing, and breathing problems
• Cladosporium: Potential to lead to respiratory issues in children or seniors with asthma
• Stachybotrys: “Black mold” that can lead to lightheadedness, nasal irritation, wheezing, chest tightness, and more

Furthermore, excess moisture or crawl space mold can lead to a decrease in the structural integrity of your home. 

Plus, moisture and crawl space mold, if not taken care of, can compromise the integrity of wood structures or lead to cracks in structures.

In many cases, it is recommended to reach out to a team of professionals to conduct a mold inspection and testing to ensure that your home is free of crawl space mold.

If crawl space mold is found, it is strongly recommended to have a professional team take care of the mold damage and removal.  

Now that you are aware of the potential dangers of crawl space mold, let’s discuss what you can do to make sure that your home and family are safe from these dangers.

Does crawl space mold have any preventative action that I can take?

Crawl space mold can often be difficult to address due to the naturally dark, humid, and moist nature of crawl spaces. 

However, there are measures that can be taken to hedge your bets against the crawl space mold invading your home, including:

• Correcting drainage problems
• Installation of a ground cover to lessen moisture entering from the dirt & soil - this process is called encapsulation
• Taking care of any plumbing leaks ASAP
• Creating ventilation to allow air to circulate

As mentioned, these measures can lessen the likelihood of crawl space mold entering your home. 

Does crawl space mold have any preventative action that I can take?

As soon as crawl space mold is discovered, you should reach out to a mold specialist ASAP. 

Ultimately, mold removal can be a lengthy and complex process for individuals with no prior experience in mold removal, especially with crawl space mold. 

If attempted without a professional, the crawl space mold could be inadvertently spread to other areas, not entirely eliminated, or cause health problems for the individual attempting removal.

By reaching out to a mold specialist, it is more likely that:

• Proper equipment will be used for the mold removal
• Excess mold will not be missed, or, if missed, will not return in full-force
• Spores do not spread to other areas of the crawl space or home

If these steps are taken, your home will be safe from crawl space mold and back on the track towards health and peace of mind for you and your family!

And What If I Have A Crawl Space?

If you smell an earthy musty odor, it’s not a good sign. If you cannot see mold develop on surfaces in your crawl space, connect with specialists to test and investigate.

Remember, if crawl space mold is spotted in your home, reach out to mold remediation experts to take care of the problem as soon as you can. 

​