Mold situations are one of the worst nightmares a homeowner can encounter. Not only does mold indicate a huge problem happening inside your home, mold can also be hazardous to your health. Tackling old issues immediately is important, but there are some parts of houses that aren’t frequented often such as attics, cellars, and crawl spaces. Mold removal in these places nearly always requires professional assistance because by the time a problem is realized that problem is usually quite far out of hand.
How to Tell if Mold Is in Your Crawl Space
The most obvious signs of mold are the visual ones. Take a flashlight into your crawl space and scan over the walls and ceiling, paying close attention to corners and seams. Mold can look like dark blotches, white patches, or like fuzz growing up the wall or down from the ceiling.
Another telltale sign of mold is a musty smell emanating from your crawl space. Mold may not be visible at first, but the smell often will be noticeable.
Why Is Mold in You Crawl Space?
Mold thrives in humid or moisture rich environments that are cool and dark. If your crawlspace has water damage from a leak or flood, or the ventilation is poor which causes higher humidity, mold can easily and quickly grow.
Cleaning Mold in Crawl Spaces
Before starting mold removal, homeowners need to understand that the EPA recommends any mold problems that spans more than ten square feet be mitigated by professionals. Homeowners who already suffer from weakened immune systems or respiratory ailments should not attempt to enter the crawlspace that has mold if the problem is widespread.
If the mold problem is isolated or small, cleaning up the mold can be done DIY style using rags, water, mold removal cleaners or bleach, a brush, gloves, and a mask. Eyewear should also be considered, and all skin should be covered. Once the mold is gone, the reason for the mold needs to be addressed and fixed. A professional mold remediator can help homeowners pinpoint the source.
If you’re ready for mold removal in Pittsburgh, call ServiceMaster at 412-826-1010.