6 Meticulous Steps for Mold Removal in Crawl Spaces

Nothing is worse than noticing a funky smell and realizing you have extensive water or mold damage. This is especially frustrating in uncommon areas of the home like basements, crawl spaces and attics. One thing is for sure: if you need mold removal in crawl spaces or other tight areas of your home, it’s important to call in the professionals!

Because these low-traffic areas aren’t visited often, the extent of the mold or water damage might be hard to discern. That is why it is always important to get an expert’s perspective into the situation. Fortunately, the professionals at Remediation Group, Inc. are always ready and available to help with mold removal in crawl spaces and other areas of the home.

Mold Removal in Crawl Spaces

Visible surface mold growth is common in many crawl spaces in the Southeastern United States for many reasons. The development of mold contamination requires an environment that this section of the United States fosters with its damp climate combined with today’s new porous construction materials and low-budget building designs. Crawl spaces used to be vented in order to lessen opportunities for mold contamination.

The combination of dark, damp environments of a crawl space and the poor ventilation make these types of spaces the perfect breeding ground for mold. Additionally, crawl spaces, attics and basements are considered low-traffic areas of the home or property. This means the mold has the potential to grow exponentially uninterrupted and left alone. This can make mold removal in crawl spaces extra tricky to deal with.

In reality, venting may have made the problem worse. It allows moist, warm, outdoor air laden with spores and water into the crawl space. Microorganisms contained in the soil are also given the opportunity to get inside. In older homes, mold contamination is common because of this construction.

While it might not seem like a big deal to have mold in areas of the home that are almost never visited, it can lead to a host of problems you will not want to deal with in the future. If there is a way to spread into the main area of the house, the mold will find a way. The last thing you want is a contained issue to start to spread into more high traffic areas of the home or property.

In addition, mold can result in serious harm to your health when it is breathed in. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), being around mold can cause several adverse reactions, including a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, burning eyes and skin irritation. These effects can become much worse for those who suffer from asthma and other respiratory conditions, or anyone that is allergic to mold.

Today, the practice of venting is in decline. However, mold continues to grow despite best efforts to address it. Now that you know about mold, what is the process for mold removal in crawl spaces?

6 Steps to for Mold Removal in Crawl Spaces

At Remediation Group, Inc., we utilize a six-step process we created to safely, effectively and, most importantly, permanently remove mold contamination from crawl spaces and other areas. Remediation Group, Inc.’s trusted process complies with New York City Health Department, IICRC and EPA standards and guidelines.

These are the general steps we follow at Remediation Group, Inc. for mold removal in crawl spaces and other areas:

1. In order to prevent cross-contamination, set up negative air pressurization inside the crawl space.
2. High-Efficiency Particulate Absorbing Filter (HEPA) vacuum all surfaces (joist, subfloor framing, etc.)
3. Wipe all surfaces clean (ductwork, framing, conduits, etc.)
4. Agitate the affected surface by sanding, scraping or blasting the first layer with dry ice of affected wood framing. Such agitation techniques ensure complete source removal of mold spores and their root system from the contaminated wood framing. This is a key step!
5. Wipe all of the surfaces from step three again.
6. Apply a clear anti-microbial wood coating to the newly cleaned wood surfaces.

When hiring a contractor or mold professional, be intentional about choosing a contractor who guarantees that his or her work will pass visual inspection and surface sampling by third-party inspectors. Work worth investing in will be able to be certified by third parties.

Quick Fixes for Mold Removal in Crawl Spaces

A commonly asked question is why is it important to get a professional? There are several products currently on the shelves that promise to eradicate any mold problem within your home or property. While this might seem like a quick and easy solution, it is definitely not the right path for mold removal in crawl spaces.

Unfortunately, no fogging techniques that offer quick and convenient mold damage removal treatments are presently available. These products may promise quick, cheap and easy results; however, they have been proven to be completely ineffective and therefore a waste of money. Don’t fall victim to claims of quick fixes and miracle solutions! Instead, get mold removal in crawl spaces done by the professionals.

The issue with these products is the lack of thorough mold removal. While a store-bought solution might appear to get rid of the mold problem on hand, it only works to destroy mold you can visibly see. These products do not get the full extent of the potential damage.

Our mold removal in crawl spaces is much more thorough at Remediation Group. We use tools and strategies to ensure that every bit of mold is removed. If this is not done properly, there is a good chance the mold left behind will continue to grow and spread.

Put your money to good use and call Remediation Group, Inc. today to schedule an evaluation of your crawl space or other contaminated areas. Remediation Group will provide a free detailed estimate with easy-to-understand square footage pricing. Rest assured that we will treat your home as if it were our own, providing reliable and sustainable care.

Remediation Group, Inc is the right choice for mold remediation for your home and family! To learn more about our mold removal in crawl spaces services or the wide variety of water, fire and wind restoration services, visit www.remgroupinc.com. You can also visit our blog to learn more about our company, our full-service restoration team and the abundance of high-quality services we offer.