How to Prevent Mold and Fungus in Your Crawl Space
TAGS:
Crawl Space Encapsulation |
Fungi Treatments |
Mold Remediation |
Pest Extermination |
Quarterly Pest Control
Did you know that the wood used to repair wood damages makes up about 10% of the annual wood production the United States alone? There are also costly amounts that come with the cost of damage repair work. The most common damages done to wood in the crawl space are due to water and mold or fungus. Being proactive in preventing mold and fungus is important in maintaining your home’s health and safety.
How Does You Crawl Space Get Fungus?
Fungus develops when wood and moisture meet. There are two main types of fungus that may develop in your crawl space:
- White fungus- this is caused by consistently wet wood (ex: standing water or leaking pipes)
- Brown fungus- this thrives in high moisture or humid environments.
There are four conditions fungus needs in order to grow:
1. Spores- found everywhere, even in the air we breathe
2. Temperature- fungus likes the same temperatures as humans, as well as some cooler temperatures.
3. Food- Fungus needs an organic food source to thrive. Cellulose is found and wood, that is why fungus finds its home so well in your crawl space.
4. Moisture- Fungus needs a relative humidity of at least 70% or greater to thrive, which is common in the Southeastern Region.
What Are The Risks of Fungus?
- Health- fungus can pose a huge threat to human health, especially individuals with respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergies.
- Home- fungus develops from wet wood and compromises the structure of your home. The fungus weakens the wood which can cause it to bend and break.
- Money- Structural damage caused by fungus can lead to very costly repairs to your home depending on the severity.
Common Causes of Fungus:
1. Standing Water: standing water in your crawl space can be caused by a drainage problem, flooding, or a plumbing leak.
2. Ground Evaporation: the soil around your crawl space evaporates moisture into the air, which then condenses in the cooler air of the crawl space. The foundation walls of your home can also evaporate moisture into the air.
3. Outdoor Air: outdoor air which is high in moisture can come into your crawl space through vents. This air is very rich in moisture and increases the relative humidity of the air in your crawl space, leading to more moisture.
How to Prevent Mold and Fungus:
We have now identified Mold and Fungus, and how they appear and function within a crawl space. A few tips to prevent and treat fungus in your crawl space include:
- Check the Humidity-Measuring the humidity allows you to know if the percentage is high enough to feed fungal growth within your crawl space.
- Remove the Moisture- Have a professional inspect your home before beginning any treatments. They will have the appropriate tools and tips necessary to address what measures should be taken to solve the issues seen.
- Borate Treatments- Borate soaks into the affected wood and prevents any mold or fungus from returning to the affected area.
- Wood Treatment/ Repair- If the wood is not significantly damaged, wood treatments are an option to strengthen and repair the existing wood. If the damage is significant, repair and replacement of the affected wood would be needed.
- Crawlspace Enclosure/Encapsulation- While crawl space enclosures may be more costly than most home repairs, the benefits are far greater. Enclosures help eliminate moisture, increase energy efficiency in your home, help control pests, and help improve overall health of the home.