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Originally Posted On: https://www.raleighcrawlspacerepair-csn.com/crawl-space-mold-removal-raleigh-nc

We get a lot of questions about our crawl space mold removal service in Raleigh, NC, and what to answer the five most common questions for you to understand this service better.

• WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CRAWL SPACE MOLD REMOVAL?

  Remediating a crawl space is to return the crawl space to a healthy space so mold spores do not travel from the space under your home to the livable space above, where occupants can have adverse health effects. Over 50% of the air you breathe comes from your crawl space, so it is wise to make sure mold is not growing below, and if it is, it gets remediated quickly.

• HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REMOVE MOLD IN A CRAWL SPACE?

  The cost of mold remediation in a crawl space can drastically differ from home to home. How much mold and the size of the crawl space are two significant factors, but there are others. Successful mold remediation is fixing the moisture source(s) that lead to mold infestation, often requiring waterproofing and encapsulating the crawl space.

• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REMOVING MOLD FROM A CRAWL SPACE?

  There are many benefits to removing not along the mold but fixing the sources that caused the mold growth. Improved indoor air quality is the main benefit of remediating mold from a crawl space. Mold spores inhaled by people living in the home can have serious help issues develop. Another added benefit of removing the mold and fixing the source of excessive moisture is stopping and preventing structural damage due to wood rot and termites.

• IS REMOVING MOLD FROM THE CRAWL SPACE WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

  Removing mold under your home is well worth investing in good remediation. You should protect the structure of your home from mold and decaying wood fungi, of course, but taking care of the mold and the source will protect you and your family from health risks associated with coming in contact with mold.

• WHAT PROBLEMS CAN BE CAUSED BY NOT REMOVING MOLD FROM A CRAWL SPACE?

  You could have adverse health effects from mold exposure, such as mycotoxicosis, aspergillosis, and asthma issues. Beyond health issues, you may experience you likely have damage to your structure as mold only grows in damp conditions. Not addressing the mold problem in your crawl space can lead to sagging floors, damaged insulation, and warped or rotted floor joists and support beams.

• HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REMOVE MOLD FROM A CRAWL SPACE?

  Typical mold remediation takes 1-3 days, depending on many factors. You should not focus too much on the time frame but on the thoroughness of the remediation once completed. Below is a list of factors that can affect the time frame.

OUR PROCESS: CRAWL SPACE REMEDIATION IN RALEIGH, NC

Below we will break down our process for remediating mold in a typical crawl space here in Raleigh, NC. If you still have questions, please reach out to us so we can answer them.

• STEP 1 – SETUP ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS

  Before any mold remediation starts in your crawl space, environmental controls need to be done or installed; this can include but is not limited to air sealing, containment barriers, negative pressure, air filtration devices, and dehumidifiers.

• STEP 2 – REMOVE DEBRIS

  Removing all debris is an essential step in preparation for mold removal. Removing the debris will help ensure that all mold remediators have a safe environment to work in, and the trash will likely be cross-contaminated with settled mold spores.

• STEP 3 – REMOVE INSULATION

  Insulation in a crawl space where mold is present should be discarded and replaced once all surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected. Failure to remove contaminated mold will lead to not passing a post-remediation verification if one is performed. Also, by not removing the insulation, there is no way to guarantee that all the mold was discovered and appropriately remediated.

• STEP 4 – REMOVAL OF VAPOR BARRIER

  The vapor barrier must be removed before any mold remediation is performed in a crawl space. The entire area must be cleaned for a successful remediation. Any contaminated materials, such as the crawl space liner, must be removed and replaced with a new moisture barrier once all surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected.

• STEP 5 – CLEAN & DISINFECT

  Source removal is the second most crucial part of the work performed during a crawl space mold remediation. The first, of course, is finding and fixing the source of excessive moisture that caused mold growth in the first place. Cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces with a mild detergent must be done until no mold or dirt is present on the surface of the materials being remediated.

• STEP 6 – APPLY ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT

  An antimicrobial agent should only be applied to clean and dry surfaces as most antimicrobial agents are not meant to act as a cleaning agent but as a protectant to inhibit the chances of regrowth on organic materials.