How To Treat Crawlspace Mold

If your home has a crawlspace, chances are it will have mold growing. Because of the way that crawlspaces are made, they contribute to the conditions that cause mold to thrive; they contain moisture, hold in heat, and are shielded from sunlight. There are ways to ventilate the area and help protect, but over time mold can build-up. Getting rid of the mold is a rather straightforward process that is not difficult to do, but will take time to accomplish. Depending on the length of time the mold has been there, you will need to use escalating levels of mold removal.
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Step 1- Assess Damage

To get an idea of what you are going to have to do you need to check out the amount, and extent, of the mold problem. It could range to a simply cleaning, to a complete blasting project that covers the entire crawlspace. If you do suspect a problem, make sure you are adequately protected before crawling under your home. Use full body protective covering, as well as boot coverings and a hood.

Step 2- Prepare For Mold Removal

You need to prepare the crawlspace for removing the mold. Set up fans in the vents, or around the crawlspace to keep the air moving and less stagnant. This will make it easier to breathe while you are under your home. Set up flood lights for better vision and lay a plastic barrier on the ground. This plastic sheet will help you collect the mold after it has been scraped off joists and other surfaces.

Step 3- Apply Mold Removal Chemicals

There are two types of mold removal chemicals that you can use. The first is a liquid spray that you use to saturate the area. The second type is a spray that will foam up when it contacts the area. This is generally for a small mold outbreak. It will kill the mold, but you will still have to remove it from the surface with a scraper.

Step 4- Blast Mold

If the mold has been able to grow for some period of time before you noticed it then you will need to use a surface blaster. This is usually when the home has been sitting vacant for a period of time, or has not been ventilated properly. A surface blaster is much like a sand blaster in that it will remove the mold from all surfaces by blasting it with high pressure particles. You aim the wand directly at the area about 2 feet away, and evenly blast the area. This is a much longer process as you will be blasting every single nook and cranny in the crawlspace. However, it will completely remove any trace of the mold.

Step 5- Prevention

After you have removed the mold from your crawlspace, you need to protect it from future outbreaks. Install dehumidifiers in the crawlspace to evacuate moisture out of the air. Install adequate ventilation and periodically check the crawlspace for any signs of mold.