The unoccupied, unfinished, hollow, and narrow space under your home (crawls space) may be the biggest source of health problems in your home. Mold thrive in Crawl Spaces because of the high moisture and humidity levels in these areas.

According to the EPA, humidity levels above 60% coupled with dampness that stays longer than 24 to 48 hours will create ideal conditions for mold.

Causes of High Moisture and Humidity Levels in Crawl Spaces

I. Leaking pipes: If you're wondering where the high moisture and humidity levels come from, think about all the water that could potentially be leaking from drainage pipes located in your crawl space. Drainage pipes, water pipes, and sewer pipes are installed with insulation; however, this insulation gets damaged over time, creating dampness that encourages mold growth. Ideally, crawl spaces should be checked for leaks and insulation problems once or twice every year.

II. Wet ground rich in organic matter: The ground is also a source of moisture from the soil. Vapor from the soil evaporates and finds itself trapped in crawl spaces creating conditions for mold to thrive. The soil also contains organic matter that mold love to feed on.

As per the CDC, mold also thrives in areas with organic matter like paper products, wood products, and cardboard which are common in crawl spaces.

III. Poorly installed gutters: Poorly installed gutters and downspouts also direct water to the home’s foundation instead of directing the water away.

IV. Poor ventilation: What's more, crawl spaces have poor ventilation creating the perfect conditions (dampness and warmth) that mold needs to thrive. Most building codes require one sq. ft. Of ventilation spacing for every 150-sq. ft. of crawl space. If vents are not an option, there are other ways of controlling humidity levels in crawl spaces i.e., installing a dehumidifier.

V. Lack of crawl space insulation/encapsulation: The floor of your crawl space and foundation walls needs to be covered using plastic sheeting. This creates a vapor barrier that keeps moisture from the walls and soil from getting to the crawl space and compromising the indoor air quality levels.

Is Mold In The Crawl Space Making Me Sick?

While crawl spaces can be invaded by both black mold and white mold, which are all dangerous, you should be more worried about black mold. In fact, white mold belongs to a different species of fungus when compared to other molds. As the name suggests, the mold has a white appearance.

Black mold is more toxic and responsible for many health problems. It's worth noting that mold exists to break down dead matter. This explains why mold eventually destroys everything it grows on, including the structural elements of a home/building. However, mold is a serious hazard because of the health risks it poses to humans when inhaled.

Signs of Mold Related Sickness

According to the EPA, mold produces allergens that trigger allergies and asthma attacks in individuals allergic to mold. Mold also produces potent irritants and toxins.

People with mold in their homes should look for signs like fatigue, headaches, coughing, throat irritation, skin rashes/irritation, eye irritation, sneezing, nasal congestion, and other respiratory health problems like shortness of breath and wheezing.

Individuals exposed to mold will have asthma, allergies and/or weakened immune systems. Children and elderly individuals are the worst hit demographic as they suffer severe reactions to mold that can lead to serious lung infections. If you/a family member exhibits the above signs/symptoms and you have crawl space in your home, you could very well be dealing with a mold problem.

Preventing Mold Problems: Crawl Space Mold Removal

If you suspect black mold or white mold in your crawl space because of exhibiting health symptoms discussed above, find a professional mold remediator (mold removal expert) to evaluate your crawls space and remove the mold.

Besides seeking professional mold removal services, it helps to take some precautions to ensure you never have mold problems again in your crawl space or elsewhere. Crawl space encapsulation or crawl space insulation services will keep your crawl space free of moisture. You should also fix leaky plumbing, if any, and invest in a good HVAC system to ventilate your crawl space and the rest of your home. Monitoring indoor humidity is also advisable.