What to Do About a Moldy Crawl Space: 3 Actionable Tips for Homeowners

Mold is not only unsightly, but it can be harmful to your health. About 4.6 million cases of asthma in the US can be traced to mold exposure. 

Mold loves dark, damp places. But keep in mind that it can grow anywhere that is damp enough. Thus, moisture is the enemy in the mold prevention battle. Even if there is no standing water, mold can grow anywhere that has 60% or higher humidity in the air.

If you want to learn how to clean up a moldy crawl space and keep the mold from coming back, check out the following tips.

1. Clean the Surface Mold

Mold spores in the air can endanger your health. Thus, as soon as you realize that there is mold in your crawl space, you should take steps to clean it up.

White vinegar is a good cleaning agent for mold. It kills most species and is not toxic like bleach or other harsh chemical cleaners.

You want to avoid coming into contact with the mold spores as much as possible. Thus, use a respirator, gloves, and goggles while you clean.

Spritz the moldy area with vinegar and let it sit for up to an hour. Then scrub the area with a stiff sponge and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Spritz another light misting of vinegar and leave it to air dry.

If the mold is difficult to clean, or you don’t want to take on this undesirable job, call a professional. This is the best way to ensure that all the mold is properly removed.

2. Inspect Your Gutters

Once you’ve got the mold cleaned out of your crawl space, you want to take steps to prevent it from coming back. Preventing mold in your crawl space begins on the outside of your home. Clean and check your gutters and downspouts

Remember, dampness and moistures is the enemy. If your gutters aren’t doing their job well, you’ll end up with standing water around your foundation. That water will make its way inside and contribute to dampness in your crawl space and, subsequently, mold growth. 

3. Keep it Dry

The number one way to keep mold from growing is by not letting moisture accumulate. Inspect the foundation or below-ground walls for cracks where water can be getting in. 

Check all the plumbing and HVAC pipes for leaks. Ensure that your dryer vents are venting that moist air outside and not into your crawl space.

Moisture can sometimes come up through the ground. To combat this, you can put down plastic sheeting as a vapor barrier. This has the added benefit of showing you where water may be pooling from a leak.

If the water content of the air is still too high, try using a dehumidifier. 

Win the Moldy Crawl Space Battle

Battling a moldy crawl space isn’t a fun job, but it’s a necessary one. As with any such battle, calling in the experts is the best way to handle the problem. Once your crawl space is free of mold, follow the other tips in this article to help prevent it from growing again.

Give us a call today to help you get rid of that nasty mold!