Crawlspaces

Aptly named, crawlspaces can be creepy, crawly places and in our experience, most homeowners avoid their crawlspaces like the plague!

There is good reason; they can be very nasty places, especially in humid climates like Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic area. Crawlspaces here are almost always wet or damp either from excessive humidity or water intrusion. Of course, when you combine a moisture problem with all the “mold food” available in every crawlspace it’s no wonder that these areas are prone to fungal growth. American Mold & Restoration prides itself on it's mold inspection and mold
removal abilities.

Crawlspace mold is most readily noticed when it grows on the floor joists and beams, but it can grow almost anywhere including on the exposed ground, the insulation (especially the paper backing) and the settled dust on pipes and HVAC ductwork. Mold anywhere in your home is not good, including the crawlspace. It’s not good for your health and frankly is not good for your property value.

Making matters worse, is that now that most homes are air conditioned, the warm moist air in crawlspaces easily condenses on the HVAC ducts as well as the wood sub-flooring. Think of a glass of ice water that you take outside on a warm summer day; the water that forms on the outside of the glass comes from the condensation from the air—the same thing happens in your crawlspace!

Remember, all it takes for mold to grow is humidity of 60% and 24 hours. When is the humidity ever below 60% during the summer in this area? Not often.

Another major source of moisture in a crawlspace is water intrusion.
If your home is located in an area with high groundwater, there is a good chance that water is making it into your crawlspace, either through the floor or through the foundation. Of course, most who have a groundwater problem notice even more wetness after a
good rain.

Haven't checked your crawlspace for mold
lately (or ever)?

Let’s face it, sometimes it’s not easy to get to and not the most pleasant of jobs. They can be damp, buggy, moldy, cramped and overall creepy.

In checking your crawlspace, look for:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Damp, wet, or stained masonry
• Visible mold or mildew (musty smell?)
• Wetness either above or below the plastic sheeting
  (if you have it)
• Discolored or stained wood beams
• Wet or damp insulation
• Any rusted metal (I-beams, pipes, insulation hangars, etc.)
• Signs of insect or vermin activity
• Rotting wood (gently poke with a screwdriver)

So, what’s the big deal about a little (or a lot) of water in the crawlspace?

Like it or not, you and your family breathe crawlspace air! In fact, building scientists say that up to 50% of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home is air that came from your crawlspace. This is exacerbated by the new construction methods which create a more
air-tight home (that white plastic sheeting that they wrap around the structure). A well known phenomenon called the “chimney effect” causes air to be drawn from a crawlspace to replace the air that vents through your attic.

How does air get into the house from the crawlspace?

A great question with a really simple answer: Air molecules are really, really small --- they easily travel between joints in the floorboards, around pipes, through holes for the wiring, through duct chases, etc. Remember that the air is being drawn from the crawlspace through the differences in air pressure caused by the chimney effect. If you are unconvinced, try this: Take a can of air freshener, spray paint, or other equally smelly stuff and squirt it in your crawlspace. Go into your house and within minutes you’ll see (or smell) what we mean.

Other than mold, what are the negative effects of a damp crawlspace? The increased humidity causes:

• Sticking doors and windows
• Smelly damp carpets
• Buckling hardwood floors
• Aggravated asthma or allergies
  (more humidity, more dust mites, etc.)
• Condensation in upper floors or in the attic
• Increased pest activity (termites love moisture)

Not sure what is going on in your crawlspace?
Call us and we’ll come out for a free inspection.

Most of the time, what we find are things that are easy to repair: Cracks in the masonry, a torn or missing vapor barrier, un-insulated pipes that drip condensation, etc. If you want to fix the simple stuff yourself, that’s fine with us (still no charge for the inspection).

If you want to have your crawlspace reconditioned what does that entail?

Of course, most crawlspaces require a unique plan of attack in remediating a moisture problem. Sometimes accurately identifying the water intrusion culprit is a challenge, but we have the finest tools to do so, from infra-red camera technology to moisture detecting devices.

After the moisture intrusion problem is properly diagnosed, a remediation plan is laid out for you. First, we recommend ways to eliminate or minimize the moisture problem. Then, if there is mold present we safely remove it and apply a biocide if appropriate.

In more severe cases, the insulation will be removed and replaced. Other steps may be required if needed, however, most of the time a new vapor barrier is put in place and extended up the walls to just a few inches below the sill plate.

Reconditioning your crawlspace is generally not that a big a deal! (except for the benefits you derive)

At American Mold & Restoration, we will always work with you to find an appropriate solution which will improve the safety and health of your family while working within your budget.