Top 3 Warning Signs of Crawl Space Mold
Are there musty smells coming from your crawl space? Is that area of your home very humid?
Do you see black spots or signs of water damage on the walls, ceiling, and/or floors? And have your indoor allergies been getting much worse, especially in the vicinity of your crawl space?
The bad news is, all these signs indicate that you have an infestation of crawl space mold. But the good news is, we’re going to help you find out for sure whether or not this is the case.
And here’s the best news of all. We’re also going to teach you how to kill mold in the crawl space and prevent it from coming back. Keep reading to learn all about it.
1. Moisture/High Humidity in the Crawl Space
First, check for the signs of high humidity or excess moisture in the crawl space. Does the air seem “thick” when you breathe it? Are there puddles or pools of moisture sitting around?
This kind of extra-moist environment is the number-one cause of mold infestations in the first place. If the mold isn’t already growing in your moist crawl space, it soon will.
Dry up any excess moisture you notice right away using towels or a mop coupled with a blow dryer or fan. If the problem is caused by a leak in your roof or plumbing, get this fixed right away.
Similarly, you can buy a dehumidifier to remove excess humidity from your crawl space. Click here to learn more about crawl space dehumidifiers.
2. Musty Smells/Allergic Reactions
A musty smell is typically a dead giveaway that you have a mold infestation. This is especially true when it’s accompanied by a noticeable worsening of your indoor allergy symptoms. Such symptoms include:
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Watery/red/crusty eyes
- A postnasal drip
- Frequent sneezing, coughing, or wheezing
- A sore throat
- Inflamed sinuses or other sinus issues
- Headaches
- A rash or irritation on your skin
Mold will often make these symptoms quite severe and uncontrollable. It can even cause toxic mold syndrome, a seriously dangerous health condition.
3. You See Mold
Lastly, if you see water damage along with these other signs, it’s pretty obvious that you have a mold growth problem in your crawl space. Also, look around for mold in its various forms:
- Green, dark gray, or black spots on walls, ceilings, and floors
- Spots on wood or soil that are flat and yellow or fuzzy and white
If you see mold, you can deal with it personally or call in professionals.
What to Do About Mold in the Crawl Space
If you’re positive that you have mold, the best thing to do is to call a professional mold remediation service. But you can also try to scrub the affected area yourself with bleach.
Make sure you wear rubber gloves, eye protection, and a protective mask when you do this. Ventilate the area very well, too.
Diagnose and Destroy Crawl Space Mold With These Tips
Now that you know, don’t lose this crawl space mold guide. Keep this page bookmarked and follow these tips to deal with mold in your crawl space.
Next, discover the benefits of hiring a professional cleaning service. Or, learn about the 5 top signs that you need to call a plumber. Find these and other great tips in our Home Improvement blog under the Business tab in our menu bar.