Dealing with mold problems in crawl spaces within your property can be a daunting experience. Knowing what to do to resolve such issues can be overwhelming. When mold problems are not handled properly, they can often result in various health issues. If you or someone you know have been experiencing symptoms of mold exposure, you might want to get your property checked for mold right away.
Determine if You Have Mold In Your Crawl Space
The easiest way to find out if you have mold growth is to visually check your crawl space. In some cases, however, mold is not easily noticed and can often grow in places that are not visible. Alternatively, through smell, you can determine whether you have mold issues or not. If you notice an unpleasant scent or a distinct musty smell in your crawl space, this can indicate that you have mold growth. Additionally, knowing what kind of mod that is growing in your crawl space can help you in your cleanup process.
Factors That Contribute to Mold Growth
Even after thorough cleanings, mold growth can return if the main issue is not fixed. So how do you go about completely removing mold problems in crawl spaces?
Here are a few factors to prevent mold growth:
- Repair all water leaks: One of the main factors that contribute to mold growth is the exposure to water for prolonged periods. When your property is damaged by water, it can often result in leak, flooding, or humidity. This can cause an increase of moisture in the air and encourage mold growth within your crawl spaces. Therefore, it is recommended to repair all kinds of water leakage to prevent the growth of mold.
- Ventilation: During the rainy season, humidity levels within your property can increase which will allow mold to develop quickly in these favorable conditions. For that reason, it is important to ensure that your space is well-ventilated by opening all windows and turning on the fans whenever possible.
Here are some areas where mold thrives in:
- Dark and cool areas
- Areas with high moisture and humidity
- Low ventilated areas
Cleaning Mold in Crawl Spaces
There are several ways to clean away the harmful mold. During this process, it is essential that you take the necessary precautions such as wearing protective gear to ensure that you do not come in direct contact or inhale any mold spores. Do not remediate the mold situation yourself if you are prone to sickness or have a weak immune system. Additionally, if you are dealing with mold problems in crawl spaces that are over 10 square feet, it is highly recommended that you seek professional remediation companies to help you deal with your mold cleanup.
Mold problems in crawl spaces can be a serious problem when not handled immediately. At Iris Environmental Laboratories, we perform professional mold inspections and will assist you in finding the ideal remediation company to tackle your mold problems. Reach us at 800.908.6679 for any assistance regarding mold issues within your facility.