Crawlspaces are common in homes without basements. If you have a crawlspace, you could have mold growing. Due to the way crawlspaces are constructed, they are perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew – containing moisture, holding in heat, and shielded from sunlight. The only way to protect from this is to ventilate the area and help by scraping off any mold you find. Over time mold may still build up, and the time it takes to clean is largely based on the length of time the mold has been there.

The first step in this process is to assess the extent of the mold problem. It may require a cleaning, or a complete blasting project that covers the entire crawlspace. If you suspect a problem, make sure you are properly protected before crawling under your home. Use full body protective coverings and boot coverings and a hood.

The next step is to prepare the crawlspace for mold removal. Set up fans in vents, or in the area around the crawlspace, with the objective of keeping the air moving and less stagnant. This will make it easier to breathe while you are under your home. Flood lights should be set up for better visibility, and a plastic barrier should be lain on the ground. This plastic sheet also helps collect mold that you scrape off joists and other surfaces.

Next, apply mold removal chemicals. There are two types that work for this type of situation, the first is a liquid spray that you use to saturate the area. The second is a spray that will foam up when it contacts the area, used primarily for small mold outbreaks. You’ll still need to scrape the mold off the walls after applying the chemicals. 

If mold has the ability to grow for some period of time before you find it, you might need to use a surface blaster. This is usually when the home has been sitting vacant for a period of time, or isn’t properly ventilated. If you have ever used a sand blaster, you already know how to use a surface blaster. Surface blasters use high pressure particles to blast mold from all surfaces. This takes a long period of time, as every single nook and cranny in your crawlspace must be blasted. However, this will completely remove any trace of the mold.

After you have removed the mold from your crawlspace, you need to protect it from future outbreaks. Install dehumidifiers in the crawlspace to evacuate moisture out of the air, and assure adequate ventilation and continue to check for mold.