Mold Growth in Crawl Spaces

It is very common to find mold growth in crawl spaces, storage rooms and cold cellars of your home. These places are typically not living places but they are great spaces for storing belongings. If there is a source of water blocking the space, then mold can start to grow on the ceilings, walls, floors and your belongings.

Moisture signs in a crawl space:

• Standing water on top of plastic vapor barrier
• Water condensation droplets on cold-water pipes and ductwork
• Buckled hardwood floors above the crawl space
• Stained walls from water penetration
• Wet or fallen insulation
• Visible mold growth on joists and support beams

Water in a crawl space can cause major damage to the property structure due to rot, crawl space mold, and fungi growth, on organic materials such as wood floor joists and beams. Additionally, wet crawl spaces can lead to health problems associated with mould, mildew, and bacterial growth.

Often times crawlspaces are not vented properly or they do not have proper insulation. This will automatically lead to condensation buildup therefore causing mold growth. It is important to keep an eye on these areas in your home. Mold will grow in crawlspaces if there is a foundation issue as well. Over time, foundation's start to deteriorate and cracks will form. The weeping system or waterproofing can also deteriorate which will cause water to seep in, therefore causing mold growth.

Usually one of the first signs is a damp, musty, earthy smell which can indicate mold growth. An air quality test may be necessary to determine if mold is causing this smell. Many crawlspaces in older homes have old, dirty floors which give mold prime location to grow as well.

Canada’s Restoration Services can help you with professional Crawl Space Cleaning, using crawl space moisture management systems that are implemented to control moisture levels and eliminate crawl space mould and fungi. Our services include:

• Mold Inspection & Assessment
• Mold Remediation & Decontamination
• Mold Removal
• Mold Air & Surface Testing
• Water Damage Emergencies 
• Asbestos Removal
• Construction