What Is Crawl Space Mold
The mold in your crawl space may be one of a number of different types. Mold spores are found commonly in the air and soil. A few of the common environmental molds you may find in your crawl space and house are:
Each of these different types of mold are commonly found in the environment. The spores from these different mold species can live and travel in the air, and in the soil. Unfortunately, the environment in crawl spaces provides a perfect place for mold growth to flourish.
Mold requires moisture to grow which tends to be plentiful in crawl spaces. Water damage, plumbing leaks, or water seeping in through the foundation walls can all contribute to moisture problems underneath your house. Mold feeds on the sugar and starch that is found in wood, called cellulose, which is usually found in the structural elements underneath houses. With these conditions, mold growth can happen fast.
Many types of mold can be hazardous to human and animal health, so you want to be sure to get rid of any mold before it has a chance to spread into your home. Crawl space mold has a number of adverse effects including:
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Crawl Space Insulation Removal
Set aside $800 to $1,200 to replace old or damaged crawl space insulation. Again, these are conservative estimates. Costs could be higher depending on the type of insulation and whether you waterproof your foundation or not. Ensure the insulation material you use is allergen-free, and avoid materials such as fiberglass as theyre known to cause allergic reactions.
How Much Does It Cost To Pump Sand Under My House
The average cost to pump sand under a house is $1,000 to $3,000, for the sand, delivery, and pumping labor. Pumping sand under a home makes the ground higher than the water table and levels out the eroded areas. The sand protects the pilings, foundation, and eliminates places that hold water.
However, water may still collect under the house until a proper drainage system, dehumidifiers, and a vapor barrier is installed. Sand will not act as a barrier to stop water from coming into a crawl space. Schedule an inspection if sinkholes are forming near the sides of the slab.
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Crawl Space Mold Remediation Cost
Before turning the job over to a professional spore killer, understand that you may incur a hefty cost. Treatment of heavily infested areas run anywhere between $500 and $30,000. The cost depends on the extent of damage and the amount of materials needed to fix it.
The growth of black mold spores in a crawl space is a serious problem. It does not matter if they are black, white, or yellowthey should be removed at the first sign of growth. Call us today to schedule your free quote!
White Mold Removal Cost
White mold remediation costs range between $1,500 and $5,000, depending on the extent of mold present. White mold is a term used to refer to many species that grow in homes, including aspergillus, cladosporium, and penicillium. Some of these might appear white earlier on and then change colors after producing spores. If their spores are not pigmented, they appear white regardless of age and blend in with their host materials. Since some people dont realize that white mold is present, it may put them at risk for health issues for extended periods.
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How Much Does It Cost To Clean A Crawl Space
Mold removal, fungus treatment, sewage water cleanout, or substantial pest control can cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000 for a basic clean up of debris in the crawl space, and anywhere from $500 to $4,000 for mold removal, fungus treatment, sewer water cleanout, or significant insect management. Cleaning Costs for Crawl Spaces Extensive pest and rodent control, as well as cleaning, costs between $1,500 and $4,000 on average.
Water In A Crawl Space Repair Cost
If there is water in your crawl space, expect to pay between $2,000 and $10,000 to have it removed and repair any damages. If you identify the problem and fix it early, the costs may be low, but the longer you wait, the more damage the water can do. You may need new insulation, replacement beams and joists, water remediation, and possible cleaning and mold removal services.
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Things To Avoid When Cleaning Your Crawl Space
Your crawl space needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain healthy air quality and dissuade infestation.
You may notice some areas that you think need attention, but there are some portions of your under-home area that should remain untouched. Well discuss some things you generally want to avoid below.
What Causes A Moldy Crawl Space
Humidity. If you have a high-humidity environment in your crawl space, the odds are good that you have mold. If you see puddles of standing water, then youre almost certainly going to have mold in your crawl space.
Before you can even think about killing the mold in your crawl space, youll need to remedy any moisture issues. Leaky pipes, poor drainage, or rain and snow freely entering the crawl space will all cause mold growth. You should dry out the crawl space as much as possible to prevent the mold from coming back. Getting the humidity level in the air to below 45% is ideal. You can also check the moisture content of the wood in the crawl space with a surface moisture meter. You should aim for a moisture level of below 15% in the wood.
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Average Cost Of Crawl Space Repair By Problem
The cost of your repairs mostly depends on the problem. Some problems are relatively minor, like superficial cracks, but others are more serious, such as mold patches, rotted sections, and mice infestations. The table below shows common problems and the average cost to resolve each for a 1,500 sq.ft. crawl space.
| Problem |
|---|
| $2,000 – $10,000 |
The Underside Of The Roof Deck
The cost to remove mold from the underside of the rock deck ranges from $500 and $1,000, depending on the extent of mold present. The underside of the roof deck is one of the spaces most commonly affected. This area is treated separately from the rest of the attic. Leaks from the roof are the main cause of the mold build up. The typical process of cleaning the underside of the deck is using scrubbers to ensure the spores dont spread.
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Cost Of Mold Removal Services
The total cost of mold remediation varies, as this will depend largely on the location of mold growth in your home.
Based on the survey, homeowners spend an average of $2,220, though many homeowners can expect to shell out $1,100 to $3,340 to clear their homes of mold infestation.
Note that the mold remediation costs may vary for each location.
The reason?
Each part of your house provides a different growing condition for molds. Some parts provide more moisture and space, which heightens mold infestation. Also, there are spaces that we often neglect to clean, making them susceptible to mold growth.
So, you may spend somewhere between $15 to $65 for a minimal mold remediation project. For example, a removal project for a 20 square feet area may require a bleach solution to get rid of molds.
However, dont be tempted to clean the molds on your own with larger projects.
Large mold remediation projects are better left in the care of professionals.
Crawl Space Cleaning Costs
Professional crawl space cleaning costs $500 to $2,000 on average. It might run as low as $200 oras high as $4,000. Or, you can save money and do the cleaning yourself. Prices depend heavily on the type of cleaning you need and the size of the space. For example, removing junk and construction debris wont hurt your wallet much, but mold or pests can run into the thousands.
| Type of Cleaning |
|---|
| $200 $500 |
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What To Wear When Removing Mold
When cleaning moldy surfaces in your home, the EPA recommends the following gear:
- N-95 respirator thiswill help protect you from breathing in the mold.
- Long gloves that extend to the middle of your forearm. When youre working with water and a mild detergent, its safe to wear ordinary household rubber gloves. However, if you you are cleaning with a disinfectant, biocide , or other strong cleaning solution, the EPA recommends wearing gloves made from natural rubber, nitrile, neoprene, polyurethane, or PVC.
- Wear goggles to protect your eyes from mold spores.
How Much Mold In My Crawl Space Is Acceptable
Mold is a natural part of our environment, but it doesnt belong in your crawl space. Even a small patch rapidly spreads as it feeds on the structural components directly under your home.
Airborne mold spores can also migrate into the house and impact the health of everyone upstairs. There are no acceptable levels of mold in a crawl space.
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Can You Eliminate Mold Forever
Yes, you can. You can do so by controlling moisture from the air in your crawl space and home in general. Check out for any cracks, gaps, or open spaces. If there are any, ensure that all of them are well sealed and have a professional insulate your crawl space. Whats more, ensure that your vapor barrier overlooks the heat source.
Your professional service provider may need to reinforce protection on the crawl space. Hell probably lay down a good quality roofing paper or even polythene on the floor of your crawl space. For guaranteed mold control, your crawl space should have approximately 1 sq ft ventilation for every sq feet.
Mice In A Crawl Space
If mice are running around your crawl space, expect to pay $400 to $600 for professional pest removal services. This price usually includes the initial consultation, plus the cost of traps, sealant, and a follow-up visit to check that the mice have gone. The cost also depends on the level of infestation, with higher prices for more severe cases. It is important to get rid of mice because they can bring diseases into the home.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold On Floor Joists In A Crawl Space
Have you ever gone into the crawl space under your house and smelled the mildew and musk? This scent indicates that theres a lot of moisture, which is a universal issue in crawl spaces. But this moisture leads to mold which causes lots of damage, so you need to know how to get rid of mold on floor joists in a crawl space.
Heres how to get rid of mold on floor joists in a crawlspace use a 1:10 solution of white vinegar to water. Spray the mold and wipe down the area, then apply a second application and let it sit for 24 hours. Use a drop light to make sure you can see, and a dehumidifier to keep the crawlspace at 30%-50% humidity.
Removing mold is a dangerous task, which is why most professionals say not to do it on your own. However, the cost of hiring a professional is expensive. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the process.
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Mold Damage Repair Cost
The cost to repair mold damage ranges between $75 and $3,000, in addition to the remediation costs. In most cases, simply cleaning the mold is enough to address the problem. However, if there has been ongoing water damage or a flood, you may need to repair and replace many of the porous areas of the home. This could include the removal and replacement of drywall, carpeting, hard flooring, cabinets, furniture, and other areas. It may involve simply repairing the damaged areas, which will typically incur a cheaper repair cost than total replacement.
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What Damage Can Mold Do To Floor Joists In A Crawl Space
If you dont address your mold issue promptly, it can cause severe damage to your floor joists and the overall support structure of your home. When wood holds onto moisture, it becomes weaker over time. Then, add mold into the mix, and the wood becomes even more damaged.
Your floorboards and other joists will begin to crack as the mold works its way through the beams. The scary part is, this is all happening underneath your house. So, you might not even notice how bad the problem is until its too late and someone gets injured.
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Mold Removal Cost Per Square Foot
The average cost of mold remediation per square foot is $10 to $25. Mold does not commonly fill an entire space, therefore, remediation companies charge per square foot based on the area where the mold is present. This is the most common pricing structure for small and medium-sized infestations. A smaller, more contained area such as a crawl space is less square footage and therefore cheaper than mold presence in a large area of drywall that has to be removed.
Keep in mind that most companies charge by the sq.ft. for smaller infestations. However, if a significant mold problem impacts an entire room, such as after a flood or fire, they may charge a package price for remediation in that room. The table below highlights different size options for removal and their respective costs based on the square footage.
| Area Size |
|---|
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Air Ducts / Hvac System
An HVAC systems ductwork is susceptible to moisture buildup and condensation, leading to mold growth. Air ducts require specialized mold remediation to avoid leaving airborne spores behind.
When you or an inspector discover mold in your HVAC system, turn it off immediately. Keeping it off helps ensure airborne spores dont spread through your home and cause health issues.
On average, mold remediation in an HVAC system and its air ducts costs between $1,900 to $6,500.
Cost To Remove Insulation In Crawl Space
Crawl space insulation replacement costs$1.00 to $4.50 per square foot or between $500 and $3,700. Prices depend on the insulation type and thickness, if the pipes are being foam-wrapped, and the crawl space’s height.
Cost To Replace Insulation In Crawl Space| Insulation type | |
|---|---|
| $0.90 $1.40 | $900 $1,400 |
*Average total for a 1,000 SF crawl space with 3′ high walls. Removing old insulation adds $1 to $2 per square foot.
*Prices include both removal and replacement.
Old, wet insulation can harbor mold, mildew, and rodent excrement. A properly insulated crawl space increases the homes energy efficiency and durability, and reduces the entry of moisture, radon, and outside air.
Proper moisture control is critical before replacing the insulation to avoid trapping moisture and causing rot in the wood framing. Crawl space or basement waterproofing costs$2,000 to $6,000 on average.
Spray foam insulation costs$1,500 to $3,600, lasts the longest, and is more moisture-resistant. However, it can prevent future pipe or electrical repairs and may not be suitable for the crawl space, depending on the type of wiring and climate.
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Mold & Moisture Sources In Your Crawl Space
Even in the case of moldy wood, there will need to be a source of water nearby. This water can enter a crawl space through poorly designed downspouts or grading, through groundwater flooding, and/or through plumbing leaks.
Mold can also grow when there’s adequate moisture in the air, in the form of humidity. This moisture commonly enters a crawl space as water vapor passing through the soil or concrete. In this case, concrete will wick water and through the ground and releases it into the air.
One of the most common and avoidable reasons for crawl space mold and rot, however, is crawl space vents. In the summer, these open vents let in summer air, which is often loaded with humidity. As the air enters the crawl space, it quickly cools in this dark space. As air cools, it loses some of its ability to hold moisture, and the excess moisture is dropped on surfaces in your crawl space as condensation.
Over time, this condensation will saturate the wood in your crawl space–and mold will grow.
Discolored Crawl Space Components
Mold growing on crawl space walls, posts and floor joists appears as fuzzy, slimy or powdery patches.
Look for these color-coded clues.
- Black Most common molds, including Alternaria and Cladosporium
- Green Also very common, may be Aspergillus, Cladosporium or Penicillium
- Greenish Black Slimy in appearance, dangerous Stachybotrys chartarum
- White Variants of Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium
- Brown Common Aureobasidium pullulans or Pithomyces chartarum
- Yellow Wood-damaging Serpula lacrymans or Epicoccum nigrum
- Orange Variants of Serpula lacrymans
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Our Clients Love Our Fungus Services In Harrisonburg
John
The workers at Crawl Space Master came out inspected my crawl space, did a wonderful job, and then gave me a quote. Overall I got to say you can’t beat the price. I recommend their service to anyone in the area!
It was time for a new and cleaned crawl space. Last summer the kids had told me and my husband that they kept smelling an odd odor. My husband and I tried to search the house to determine what it was. Come to find out the crawl space had built up mold from when it was first built. When we called Crawl Space Master they took care of everything. Especially for an affordable price we loved the work that they did and do not smell odors anymore!
Steve
I will give this company 5/5 stars. They came to my house cleaned up the debris and did it in no time. I was impressed by how fast they moved. If your stationed in the Virginia area I would suggest giving them a call ASAP!!!!
