Virginia’s hot and humid weather makes for the perfect conditions for crawl space mold growth. This hazardous fungus can wreak havoc on the health of you and your family, welcome unwanted pests, and damage the structure of your home.
Nevertheless, it certainly doesn’t need to be this way. The first step to a mold-free home is to educate yourself on the identification and dangers of crawl space mold. Knowing what to look out for and gaining perspective on why you need to prevent mold will set you toward protecting your well-being and safety.
You’re in luck because James River Pest walks you through precisely that. In this informational blog, you will learn the causes, identification, and threats of mold. Plus, you’ll discover the top tips on preventing the nasty fungus from taking over.
What Are the Causes of Crawl Space Mold?
Anywhere with high moisture levels and organic material creates an environment suitable for mold growth. And when it comes to the crawl space under your home, there’s plenty of opportunity for unwanted growth.
Crawl spaces can often become damp and humid due to issues with ventilation and unsealed cracks and openings. Also, wet soil, floods, and leaking pipes increase the already-high chance of crawl space mold.
All that’s needed to produce a mold’s paradise is organic materials like wood and dirt. Unfortunately, the space under your home may be full of these materials. Therefore, mold of all kinds can grow, especially without having the proper prevention measures in place.
How Do You Know If You Have Mold in Your Home’s Crawl Space?
Several signs will help you determine if you have mold in your crawl space. The following are some of the most common things homeowners have observed upon discovering crawl space mold:
- Musty odor
- Sagging floors
- Increase in pests in and around the home
- Discolored insulation and walls
- Experiencing flu-like symptoms from mold exposure
- Decaying structures of the home
However, to know for sure if you have crawl space mold, get familiar with the types that can occur.
What Does Crawl Space Mold Look Like?
Mold growing in your home’s crawl space can have many different appearances. Below, we have grouped crawl space mold into three categories to easily identify.
White Mold- White mold is either pure white or dusty color. The texture may be fuzzy or powdery, depending on the specific type. It may grow on the ceiling, walls, and other crawl space structures.
Black Mold- Black mold in a crawl space isn’t always the “black mold” notorious for being the most toxic fungus to plague homes. But it is certainly possible. If the mold under your house is black, you’ll want to have professionals inspect it to determine if the mold is, in fact, the most dangerous one of all.
Yellow Mold- Likewise, there are a few different kinds of mold that appear yellow. One type is very capable of gradually eating away at vital structures. Others are less harmful but still produce toxins that may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Is Mold Hazardous?
Crawl space mold can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. It threatens the health of you and your loved ones and can compromise the home’s structure. But that’s not all. Mold under the house can also lead to pungent, musty odors and increased pest infestations.
The symptoms of mold exposure can present themselves as soon as the mold begins to grow or gradually over time. With crawl space mold, the latter is more likely, because the growth is not inside the home. However, those with severe allergies or preexisting respiratory issues may experience symptoms early on.
The Signs and Symptoms of Mold Exposure in Humans
- Skin irritation
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Trouble breathing
- Skin rash
- Redness in eyes
Not all individuals will experience allergic reactions to mold. Nevertheless, it’s a risk you certainly do not want to take.
Preventing Crawl Space Contaminants
To avoid crawl space mold altogether, you’ll need the correct prevention methods. After all, putting effort into avoiding the growth of this toxic substance is much more preferable than dealing with an infestation.
Adopt the following tips and tricks to ensure the crawl space of your home is safe from dangerous mold growth:
- Seal off any cracks and damages to the structure of the area beneath your home.
- Address all plumbing issues as soon as they are discovered. Unresolved leaks and flooding will almost always result in mold growth.
- Ensure none of the vents in your home are blowing into the crawl space. For example, the dryer vent pushes out humid air. And if it flows into the area under your house, humidity levels will spike, and mold may occur.
- Have your crawl space inspected regularly, especially if you have had ongoing mold issues.
Eliminate Crawl Space Mold with James River Pest Solutions
If you’ve been directed to this blog page from James River Pest Solutions, it is safe to assume you suspect mold growth under your home. In that case, start by considering the signs of mold previously discussed, like flu-like symptoms, sagging floors, and a mysterious odor.
If you have observed or experienced any of the signs of crawl space mold, reach out to James River as soon as possible. The longer the mold is present, the larger it grows, and the more problems you’ll experience.
We Offer Crawl Space Remediation
Our experienced team offers Crawl Space Remediation to eliminate these allergens and the hazards that come with it. Besides removing this dangerous fungus, there are other benefits of Crawl Space Remediation with James River:
Lower Energy Bills
In the process of getting your crawl space back into shape, we add insulation and remove humidity. The combination helps your HVAC system to work more efficiently. In turn, you’ll see significant savings on your utility bills.
Fewer Pests
Excessive moisture in the crawl space not only welcomes mold but pests and critters, too. Pests like cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, termites, and flies are attracted to damp environments. And aside from being a nuisance, they can cause a slew of health issues and even damage the structure of your home. Plus, when these pests go undetected, they will grow in numbers and potentially find new nesting sites indoors. Scheduling Crawl Space Remediation with our trusted team will prevent these creepy crawlers from making their way into the crawl space.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Believe it or not, the space under your home impacts the inside, too. High levels of humidity are taken care of with your Crawl Space Remediation. And as a result, the quality of air indoors improves.
Count on James River Pest Solutions to provide excellent customer service and guaranteed results. We pride ourselves on how we address each home with an approach unique to the building and understanding the homeowner’s needs.
Call us today to book your Crawl Space Remediation and enjoy a more comfortable and healthier home overall.