If you have a crawl space, you likely don’t think about this particular part of your home too often. Larger crawl spaces can be used to house an HVAC and plumbing system, among other essentials. However, beyond that, you may neglect this space—which can lead to a few problems.
One of the most common issues homeowners face with crawl spaces is mold growth. Fortunately, you can quickly learn how to prevent mold in your crawl space with this guide. Let’s discuss the causes of mold in crawl spaces and how to avoid this issue from occurring in the first place.
What Causes Mold to Grow in Crawl Spaces?
Before we can fully dive into how to prevent mold in your crawl space, you’ll want to understand why mold grows here. Like a basement, a crawl space is prone to dampness, water damage, and poor ventilation. Inadequate drainage can also be one of the top causes of mold in crawl spaces. When mold spores combine with moisture, this can lead to a sudden onslaught of black or white mold growth.
How Can You Prevent Mold Growth?
If you’re already dealing with white or black mold growth in your crawl space, mold removal is the only appropriate solution. It’s worth noting that a professional should handle mold growth in an area that’s more than 10 square feet.
However, if you’re looking to prevent a mold problem before it’s begun, we have a few tips to help. While there are several potential causes of mold in crawl spaces, you can take steps to protect your home from this all-too-common issue. Some tips you can utilize yourself, while others will require professional assistance.
Home Inspections
As a homeowner, you already have a lot on your plate. Nonetheless, taking time to inspect your home can make all the difference in preventing a mold outbreak.
Every few months, check that your gutters and downspouts are positioned at least six feet away from your home and its foundation to help you avoid any type of mold. Additionally, inspect your foundation walls for cracks. These cracks, if present, can allow unwanted moisture into your crawl space.
Dehumidifiers
When learning how to prevent mold in your crawl space, you likely want a quick and effective solution. One potential solution is using a well-maintained dehumidifier. When you regularly take care of your dehumidifier, it can efficiently control and eliminate any source of moisture.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
One of the most common ways to prevent a crawl space mold outbreak is encapsulation. With crawl space encapsulation, a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier is installed throughout the space. Encapsulation also requires you to install a dehumidifier in the crawl space to prevent moisture.
Encapsulation is an effective way to manage the humidity levels in your basement. This barrier can also help you save money on your energy bills.
Vapor Barriers
Like encapsulation, a vapor barrier can help you avoid mold growth in your crawl space. Vapor barriers are types of plastic sheeting that can be installed on the walls and floors of the crawl space. Southern Goodman offers crawl space vapor barriers in Richmond, VA, to help reduce humidity buildup in your home.
Choose Southern Goodman for Crawl Space Solutions
While there are several potential causes of mold in crawl spaces, there’s no reason for you to worry. Now that you know how to prevent mold in your crawl space, you can take the proper precautions to avoid an unsightly and inconvenient issue.
Your crawl space creates a breeding ground for mold to grow, but Southern Goodman is here to help. As a reputable company in Richmond, crawl space insulation, encapsulation, and more are our specialties. Contact us to learn more about our crawl space solutions!