Twip of the Day – Identifying Crawl Space Mold

Crawl space mold is a type of fungus that grows naturally on plants and appears in areas that are humid such as bathrooms, basements, and attics. Mold spores travel through the air and when the right conditions occur, they grow fast and turn into a problem. The presence of mold indicates greater humidity levels that should be taken care of as soon as possible. Once you have taken care of the underlying causes, you will stop the fungus from spreading.

Learning to Spot Mold

The first thing to do is to identify and inspect any mold in your crawl spaces. If moisture is excessive and ventilation is poor, mold has the right conditions to grow and flourish. If the air is stuffy or a bad smell permeates the area, mold breeding has likely already begun. Ventilate the area as long as possible, then try to find mold in corners and any moist areas. Check all corners and niches, using a flashlight in your crawlspace.

The Identification

If you find mold in moist areas of your home, its important to remember the color of the mold in order to treat it in the appropriate manner. Be careful not to spread mold and especially not to breathe it in. It can cause various allergic reactions and respiratory problems if it is allowed to propagate.

If you discover that mold has already begun spreading at full speed, professional help might be required. The experts, like DryPatrol, will determine what type of mold you have and will help you fix the problem, so you can avoid it in the future.

Avoiding Appearances of Crawl Space Mold

The best way to prevent the propagation of mold and mildew is to regularly air out your basement and home. This means opening doors and windows and letting fresh air circulate throughout the structure. If this isn’t possible, you should think of other ways to go about it. You could frequently treat your crawl space with anti-fungus chlorine products or even use a humidity controller or air dryer which keeps the air dry. A useful tip is to put a barometer in your crawl space in order to keep an eye on the level of humidity. If it starts to increase, take precautions immediately, because lack of action will lead to the spreading of mold. Air out the space or turn on the dryer to minimize humidity in the crawl space.

Necessary Precautions When Attempting Treatment

Keep in mind that most anti-mold fungicides are poisonous. You should keep yourself safe at all times when attempting to use an anti-mold solution. This means not breathing in fungus spores or touching them with bare hands. Glasses, gloves, and a respirator are all mandatory. Its a good idea to purchase a full-size hazard suit so you minimize the risk of spores absorbing through your skin.

Dealing with mold on your own is not only a hassle but its extremely dangerous. For this type of job, you’ll often need to contact a professional mold remediation service. Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol, the experts at water damage restoration and mold remediation.