Mold. 😬
It’s a word none of us want to hear yet, many homeowners often ignore.
I can’t tell you how many times a homeowner will call to tell us they have had mold issues for months and even years, not sure where it’s coming from. When we take a closer look underneath their home in the crawl space… we find the culprit.
Crawl spaces that do not have a vapor barrier or encapsulation can create an ideal environment for mold to grow. The combination of a dark, cool space mixed with damp air and condensation is just what mold needs to grow. Crawl spaces are naturally going to be dark, but they don’t have to be - and shouldn’t be - moist.
Most homeowners don’t realize the mold problem stems from their crawl space and see the evidence elsewhere throughout their homes. Mold spores can easily travel from the crawl space through vents or even your subfloor and enter your home, where the spores attach to the walls, floor and create mold growth in specific areas of your home. If you see greenish-black spots on the walls or floor of your home, you may have mold.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that you remove mold as quickly as possible as it can pose a health risk. You can usually see mold which appears as slightly fuzzy, discolored or slimy patches. We often compare the color to the colors found on a forest floor. But sometimes, mold isn’t visible. Instead, homeowners may smell a dank, musty or rotten odor that indicates mold is growing in their home. Mold can grow anywhere there is standing water or a moisture problem. This often will include bathrooms, window moldings, around refrigerator doors or air conditioners.
If you believe your home has a mold problem. It’s important to act fast and not wait. The problem will not simply go away on its own but instead, gradually get worse.
Here are 4 reasons you should address the mold issue in your home as soon as possible:
#1 Mold grows quickly which means it will lead to a big problem very fast In fact, it only takes mold 24 to 48 hours to grow and spread in wet, warm conditions.
#2 Mold isn’t always easy to see
Oftentimes, homeowners will notice mold from its physical appearance or smell, but not always. I’ve had homeowners call who simply felt the brain fog or fatigue they were experiencing may be caused by mold in their home.
#3 Mold is expensive to remove
Damage to your home caused by mold only gets more expensive the longer you let the problem go. Depending on how severe the mold problem is, you may have to remove and replace walls or the floor which can be very expensive very quickly. And that doesn’t include the cost of removing the mold itself.
#4 Mold may cause health issues
Mold may cause mild or severe respiratory health issues for you and your family if it goes untreated. Learn more about how mold may cause health issues here.
Do you think mold may be growing in your home or crawl space? We encourage you to give us a call if you believe you may have a mold problem and your home also has a crawl space. The mold may be originating in your crawl space and spreading throughout your home. Our team can evaluate the crawl space to find out for sure. If mold is found, we can put the best plan in place to remove the mold as quickly as possible and take preventative measures to drastically reduce your chances of mold growing in your crawl space again.
