How To Treat Fungus In Crawl Space

Significance Of Indoor Soil Fungi

A broad range of fungal species among at least seven genera may be found growing on or in soil and because the interaction between soil and seed fungi has been studied widely in work on plant pathogens, they are studied worldwide.

However, texts that help identify soil fungi may be incomplete when it comes to mold on or in or beneath buildings.

Building conditions that produce mold growth may generate fungi that vary from how they may appear in the lab in a culture plate, and building mold, even mold on dirt in a crawl space may appear different from the same genera/species growing in nature, say in the woods.

And because mycologists so often study fungi prepared from cultures, in my experience, texts used as identification guides may present photographs of fungi that do not necessarily match what these same genera and species may look like when found in nature.

Here we provide photographs of fungi growing on soil in or beneath buildings.

Also see MUSHROOMS IN or NEAR BUILDINGS

This article does not address the much larger topic of the genera of soil fungi. For that topic see Tsuneo Watanabe, Pictorial Atlas of Soil and Seed Fungi, Morphologies of Cultured Fungi and Key to Species, Second Ed., CRC Press 2002, ISBN 0-8493-1118-7. .

Mold Armor Rapid Remediation

Mold Armor is a professional-grade mold removing agent. However, it is also the most toxic of the three products.

This product is ideal for:

To use it, you spray it on the surface where there is mold. Check the packaging to see how long you should wait for your particular problem.

Once your wait time is over, you need to rinse where you applied it thoroughly. This single application kills and prevents mold and mildew regrowth.

What Are The Signs Of Crawl Space Mold And Crawl Space Mildew

You might not have knowingly encountered mold or know what an infestation looks like. Here are a couple of signs that should prompt you to contact your basement or crawl space contractor for further investigation and testing:

• Water stains on baseboards
• Black or greenish spots on walls and insulation
• Musty smells or awful odors
• Warped wooden floors
• Runny nose, itchy eyes or coughs

Some mold may appear black when its not actually black mold. Only a mold removal expert can ascertain what type of mold youre up against. And thats why testing is really important.

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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!

Where To Look For Crawl Space Fungus

To look for fungal growth in your crawl space, you need to physically go down there and take a look for yourself. While this is probably not the way you want to spend your Saturday, unfortunately theres no other way to visibly identify signs of fungus. The first sign youll notice if something is growing is a strong musty odor. Whether its from the fungi itself or water-damaged wood, youll be able to tell just by the smell of it. Be sure to check along the walls and foundation for any signs of water damage or for any actual growth already happening. Dont forget to lift up any edges of decomposing wood and check for possible growth hidden underneath.

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Crawl Space Vent Repair

The average cost to install crawl space vents is $15 to $150 per vent, depending on the type and number of vents. Sealing crawl space vents cost $150 to $450, which creates a conditioned crawl space required for full encapsulation.

Crawl space vents that are not installed or maintained correctly can lead to moisture damage, pests, mold, wood rot, mildew, and even structural issues. Plus, vents help properly insulate the home, which affects heating and cooling costs. Also, a sealed crawl space uses 15 to 18 percent less energy than a vented crawl space.

Crawl Space Mold Causing Health Issues

Crawl space mold and fungus grows as a result of moisture in the crawl space and can cause health issues in the home. A wet crawl space is caused by a combination of issues leading to mold in the crawl space which will contaminate the air and infiltrate inside the home. Up to 50% of the air in a home can come from the crawl space due to the Stack Effect.

Mold and mildew in the crawl space are known to cause respiratory health problems like coughing, wheezing, or lung disease. People with allergies or immunity weaknesses may have more severe reactions. If youve noticed people in your home experience sinus issues, headaches, or feeling achy, you might have crawl space mold.

If you suspect the presence of mold in your homes crawl space, talk to our experts about removing mold from your crawl space. We service homeowners throughout the entire Hampton Roads region of Virginia including Newport News and have the experience to tackle projects of any size.

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What To Do About Mold On Dirt Under A Building: 5 Steps

Many readers have asked us what to do about mold found growing on crawl space dirt or on a dirt basement floor.

I’ve often seen orange and yellow molds and yeasts growing on wet dirt in these areas. After the following summary we’ll offer more-detailed suggestions for dealing with mold on the dirt floor of a crawl space or basement.

Below we expand on those five steps for dealing with mold on dirt under buildings.

The Effects Of Crawl Space Fungus

Too many people assume crawl space fungus isnt a big deal and that because its separate from the rest of the house, its nothing to worry about. However, this couldnt be more wrong!

Structural Damage

Fungus can develop within 24 to 48 hours after water exposure. From there it will continue spreading unless it’s properly removed, which is a lengthy process. We want you to understand that any fungus in your crawl space is unacceptable. Buckled hardwood floors, insect infestations inside your home, condensation on your insulation and water pipes, and musty odors can all indicate crawl space fungus forming down below. Eventually, if fungal growth in your crawl space is left to its own devices it will rot the wood and ruin the structures underneath your home, and eventually make its way into your living spaces.

Health Effects

Aside from structural damage, fungus can cause serious health effects. Did you know up to 40 percent of your household air comes from your crawl space? From allergic reactions to lung irritation, crawl space fungus is not something to mess with! Its best to avoid breathing in any fungus at all costs, and this can only be done with proper removal.

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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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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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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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Hazardous Mold That Dwells In Crawl Spaces

Your crawl space is likely to have the following mold types:

• Cladosporium is a dominant fungus and if youve got young children, you want to protect them from this fungus as it can cause severe respiratory complications in young children and asthmatic people. Cladosporium is a black crawling mold which thrives on cloth material, wood and dirt, on painted walls, in HVAC systems, on paper, food, and mattresses.
• Alternaria is a popular mold which can cause coughing, wheezing, sneezing, and a wide range of breathing complications.
• Stachybotrys is a hazardous mold that grows in a crawl space. Its dangerous for everybody who comes into contact with it. If you notice this type of mold, you should contact a professional crawl space cleaner to avoid spreading the mold in different areas in your home.

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Put Down Plastic Over Dirt Floors

Install a 6-mil or heavier poly / plastic vapor barrier over the dirt surfaces and up walls about a foot ideally you’d seal or affix the plastic to the walls.

Plastic will break the natural “moisture pump” that occurs when wet soil is below a building:

moisture evaporating into the air above the soil actually acts as a pump to draw more soil-moisture upwards: the dirt under the building, fed by an outdoor moisture source or by indoor leaks, continues to pump moisture into the structure.

See FUNGICIDAL SPRAY& SEALANT USE GUIDE for more information.

Our photo shows a white moisture barrier over the soil of a crawl space where a significant mold reservoir has been removed from the wood surfaces above .

You’ll note the shiny appearance of the wood.

The mold remediation contractor who handled this job elected to seal the wood surfaces after the cleanup was complete.

Dont Let Mold In Your Crawl Space Get You Down

If you think you might have mold in your crawl space, theres no reason to panic! Our experts know exactly what to look for and how to get rid of the problems we find. Contact us today or complete our online request form to schedule your crawl space cleaning consultation.

Contact Crawl Pros today for a crawl space mold removal estimate.

Our professional estimators can see you in as little as a day.

Give us a call today at 866-673-9626

Contact Crawl Pros today for a crawl space mold removal estimate.

Our professional estimators can see you in as little as a day.

Give us a call today at 866-673-9626

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The Growth Of Mold In Your Crawl Space

Unless your crawl space is adequately insulated and ventilated, you may find mold starts to develop there. When you do finally spot mold underneath the house and creeping along the floor joists in the crawl space, it could mean there is a bigger problem in the upstairs areas of your house as well. Early detection of mold is vital to keeping colonies of growth at bay.

Removing mold from a crawlspace is dangerous and should be handled by a Mold Remediation specialist. Call us at for a free consultation with a licensed remediation expert available 24/7 near you.

How To Prevent Crawl Space Fungus

To prevent fungal growth in your crawl space from returning, be sure to keep the humidity level at around 60% and continually monitor the moisture content. Ideally, this would stay between 12-17%. If necessary, use a crawl space grade dehumidifier to keep these levels in check. Additionally, check for any openings condensation can get in from the outside. Having your crawl space encapsulated can also prevent fungal growth and save you from having to undertake a mold remediation process down the road. These simple precautions will help you in the fight against crawl space fungus.

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Eliminating Mold Caused By Basement Foundation Cracks

A crack in the foundation will often lead to a small water leak along the perimeter wall of your basement , which will dampen the local interior drywall, which will then lead to moldy drywall. The best way to fix a crack in your foundation is open up the walls, thereby exposing the crack in the concrete, and have it sealed and filled by a qualified mold remediation professional.

The Dehumidifier Should Be Installed Properly

Installing a Crawl Space Dehumidifier is also necessary to protect the crawl space from damaging moisture. However, they must be installed properly and safely to be effective. We have seen many that are actually really dangerous because no care of installation is evident.

Secure Insulation

Insulation in your crawl spaces can be secured using mechanical fasteners. The fasteners protect the sub floor and joists by holding the insulation well. If the current insulation shows signs of sagging or if it goes missing, this can mean that there is a water problem in your crawl space. Modern ways of insulation and treating rot and mold are available and should be discusses with your Crawl Space Professional.

Install the plastic vapor barrier properly

The sheeting plays an important role in keeping moisture out so you need to check if it is positioned accordingly. It should cover the whole area of the crawl space. It should go up a few inches along the walls of the foundation. To ensure that there is no standing water that can accumulate in the barrier, the sheeting layers need to have many overlaps. Below you can see an excellent example of how the crawl space can be treated with the appropriate Vapor Barrier. A word of caution, this needs to be installed by a crawl space professional and not all barriers are equal. Beware of fake or bad quality barriers being installed.

Check for leakage

Why You Need to Remove Mold Immediately

Crawl Space Mold Removal Needs A Mold Specialist

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What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Allergies

Interestingly, people react differently to mold exposure. Some individuals will show no signs, while others will manifest a variety of bodily responses. If youre allergic to foreign particles, youre likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms or signs:

• Itchy eyes/skin

See a doctor if you experience one or more of the above symptoms.

Crawl Space Pest & Rodent Control

Crawl space rodent and pest control costs$200 to $700, including setting traps and bait, minor cleaning, and a follow-up visit. Resolving extensive pest infestations with a complete cleaning and sealing entry points costs $1,500 to $4,000.

Insect and animal infestations in a crawl space can cause structural damage to the foundation and pose a health hazard. Signs of pest infestation in a crawl space include:

• Animal droppings

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What Is Wood Rot Fungus

Wood rot fungi or xylophagous fungus is simply a mold or fungi that feeds on wood in the environment. Just like the tinder fungus you see on fallen trees as you walk that hiking trail you love is designed to break down the wood and return it to the earth, wood rot is trying to break down your home which is a very expensive and destructive silent enemy.

What’s interesting about wood rot fungi is it is called xylophagous fungus. This means it is an animal that feeds on wood like a beetle or termite. I used to think it was a plant, but it has the survival instincts of an animal. Just like termites destroy your home’s structure from the inside out, wood rot fungus operates similarly to strip the meaty parts of your wood and leave nothing but a shell behind that needs to be replaced because there is no restoring it.