Mold is a general term for fungi that can grow in various colors, including black, green, white, and red. Mildew is often powdery and white, while mold can be fuzzy or slimy.
Mold in the Charlotte Area
The general weather pattern in your area has a lot to do with the types of crawl space issues you may have to deal with, and if you live in the Charlotte area, mold can be a big problem.
Charlotte has a humid, subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers—the perfect breeding ground for mold.
Mold is a broad term that describes many different types of fungi that grow in various colors. Mold can be black, green, white, and red. While mildew is usually white and powdery, mold is fuzzy or slimy.
How Do I Know if My Crawl Space Has Mold?
House musty smell
An earthy or musty smell in your home is an obvious sign you may have a mold issue, indicating the need for a professional inspection to determine if you need Charlotte crawl space mold removal.
Visible mold
If you see white mold on walls, mold on floor joists, or black, brown, or green patches anywhere in your crawl space, you have a mold problem that indicates the need for cleaning a crawl space.
Another good rule of thumb for inspection is mold usually grows on joists, insulation, walls, floors, pipes, or your ductwork. Wood primarily feeds mold growth.
Warped Wood
Rotting or warped wood is an obvious sign that requires a professional inspection.
Respiratory issues
If you or anyone in your household experiences an uptick in respiratory problems or allergies, inspecting your crawl space for mold is a good idea. Mold can cause serious health issues and respiratory infections, especially in people with asthma and allergies.
Water stains
Visible water stains on your home’s joists, walls, or floors mean an inspection from Dry Otter Waterproofing is a good idea to determine the extent of the mold issue.
If you see any of these apparent signs in your Charlotte crawl space, mold removal is necessary.
Crawl Space Mold Causes
Many conditions cause mold growth in a crawl space. Several factors are typical weather conditions in Charlotte that increase your chances of mold growth: high humidity, consistent warm temperatures, and excessive annual rainfall.
Mold thrives between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and most crawl spaces fall within this temperature range.
If you live in the Charlotte area, your crawl space will experience the high end of this temperature range because mold thrives in a warm, humid environment with excess moisture.
Lack of sunlight and poor ventilation are other causes of mold. Sunlight is a natural mold killer, but most crawl spaces are dark and damp with little airflow.
Organic materials like wood floor joists, paper, and insulation feed and encourage mold growth.
Water damage is a significant cause of mold growth. Plumbing leaks, flooding, inadequate drainage, and condensation from soil moisture encourage mold.
Cracking or porous crawl space walls are a problem, as well as a lack of a vapor barrier and improper grading of your foundation’s surrounding area. Finally, insufficient ground cover, like gravel or mulch, can lead to mold growth.
Charlotte crawl space mold removal and the steps necessary to prevent further mold growth are required if you have any of these issues in your crawl space.
Our Solutions to Remove Mold
Dry Otter Waterproofing has a multistep procedure for removing mold in your crawl space.
First, we install a negative air fan in the crawl space. A negative air fan is a mechanism used to remove potentially dangerous air particles from your crawl space.
Second, when the HVAC system is turned off, we put an air scrubber inside your home. An air scrubber improves your home’s air quality by removing pollutants, allergens, and microorganisms from the air.
Air scrubbers offer significant health benefits in terms of air quality and comfort.
The final step Dry Otter technicians use is to remove all visible, raised fungus with an antimicrobial solution. This completes the mold removal process.
It is not enough to disinfect your crawl space; mold removal is necessary to ensure the job is done correctly to prevent future mold growth.
What are the Benefits of Removing Mold From Your Crawl Space?
Your health is the most significant benefit of removing mold from your crawl space.
Mold causes many respiratory issues, which can make a significant difference for those already suffering from asthma and allergies.
Addressing mold issues can also improve the integrity of your home. Mold can eat into and destroy wood joists, subflooring, and insulation.
Eliminating mold is the best way to ensure your home’s structural integrity and significantly benefits your home’s value.
Dry Otter Waterproofing specializes in crawl space mold removal.
If necessary, we can also address the underlying causes of mold growth by installing a crawl space dehumidifier, vapor barriers, sump pumps, and crawl space encapsulation.
At Dry Otter Waterproofing, we offer real solutions that last.
Get Your Charlotte Crawl Space Inspected for Free
If you’re looking for the best Charlotte basement waterproofing available, then the best place to start is with a free basement inspection from Dry Otter Waterproofing. Our team will map out the best course of action for waterproofing your basement as well as identify and address any other concerns.
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Our process includes the following inspections:
Crawl Space Inspection:
- Moisture and Water Damage
- Mold and Fungus
- Insulation Condition
- Vapor Barrier
- Structural Issues
- High Humidity
- Condensation on Ducts
Basement Inspection:
- Water Intrusion
- Cracks and Wall Leaks
- Foundation Integrity
- Sump Pump Operation
- Mold and Mildew
- Basement Floor Cracks
- Hydrostatic Pressure
Our expert will personally visit your home and examine the issues you are having with your basement or crawl space foundation.
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