Tag Archive Crawl space

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Crawl space, Crawl Space Waterproofing, Daytona, florida, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, mold, Orlando, Putnam County, St Augustine, sump pump orlando, tampa

Mold Issue

MOLD!

Do you have it?

Crawl Space Water Problems

Problems / Solutions /Costs

• How Water Enters Your Crawl Space
• Steps to a Dry Crawl Space
• Moisture Barrier Install
• Mold Issues
• Costs

How To Control Mold

White Mold on Joist

To help control Mold Growth, you need to understand how it gets there to begin with.. Mold is a fungus. It will appear when a couple of things are present in your crawl space.

1. High Moisture content or humidity level.

2. Organic matter for the Mold to feed on.

High Moisture or Humidity levels are usually caused by water either inside or outside of the crawl space. When the soil becomes saturated and full of water, the moisture and humidity in the crawl space will rise. Putting vents with fans or dehumidifiers in the crawl space may help a little, but the water problem needs to be addressed.

Once the mold finds Organic matter, ie, Joists, Subfloors, Roots that may be in the soil, or even left over building materials, it will be hard to get rid. Not Impossible, but difficult.

Please see the related article for more information on Crawl Space Water Problems. Also ask our service tech when he comes out for an inspection. There is a solution and its not that bad.

MOLD ISSUES

Health Effects –

1. Asthma, asthma triggers, or asthma symptoms (such as episodes or attacks)

2. Upper respiratory tract symptoms

3. Eye symptoms

4. Skin symptoms

5. Allergies or allergic reactions (symptoms not otherwise specified)

6. Wheeze

7. Cough

8. Difficulty breathing, trouble breathing, or shortness of breath

9. Infections (including those affecting people who have chronic lung disease).

10. Adverse effects to the nervous system

11. Fungal colonization or opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals

12. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Some Really Nasty Molds:

Stachybotrys – Black Toxic Mold

We see mold everyday in crawl spaces, basements, on floor joists and walls. Most of the time it is harmless. In other words, non toxic. This non toxic mold still presents health issues and also wood rot problems.

Some people are allergic to mold of any kind, small children, elderly but more often, we hear of the 30 to 55 year old that has allergies. Sneezing, watery eyes, or just a general ill feeling could be from a mold living in your crawl space or basement.

Keeping the crawl space dry is of utmost importance here in the south. Hot and humid weather during the spring, summer and fall, cold damp moist air during the winter allows moisture to build in your crawl space and basement. Once the level is high enough, mold wild begin to feed on the organic material such as wood joists, sill plates and band plates. The cost to repair these things is quite high.

One common mistake we see is calling the white powder on cement blocks mold. Mold can only surrive eating organic material.

The white stains in the block are called efflorescence. Usually cause by high water within the block. This is not a good thing and needs to be address. This is very common with unsealed block and brick. Water soaks into the block and washes out minerals from the concrete.

This problem can often be stopped by installing footer tiles around the inside perimeter of the crawl space and a sump pump to remove the water. Downspout Drain lines are also needed to move the roof water away from the foundation and also cleaning and sealing the block after the system is installed.

Crawl Space Maintenance should be a monthly service!

Don’t forget about us!

Apple Drains – Drainage Contractors – ORLANDO FL (321) 200-0685

Mold Inspection

See Also

Steps to a DRY CRAWL SPACE

Underground drains work to move water fast away from the foundation. We install underground drain, underground gutter drain, underground drain pipe, crawl space drain, underground pipes, drain tile, sump pump, gutter, downspout drain line, yard drain, french drain, gravel drain, solid pvc pipe, perforated pipe, channel drain, catch basin, drive way drain, side walk drain, basement drain, floor drain, sewer line, kitchen drain, bathroom drain and tub drain. Call us for a free estimate!