by Eric Brown | Feb 5, 2016 | Basement Mold, Crawlspace Mold, Health, Indoor Air Quality, Mold Facts, Mold Removal, Questions and Answers, Toxic Mold
Top 3 Reasons Your Crawlspace Has High Humidity
Top 3 Reasons Your Crawlspace Has High Humidity
Crawlspaces are the ideal environment for mold to thrive.
Most crawlspaces are dark, dirty, and humid. Bugs like to live in there. They’re vented to the outside air in the summer (and in the winter if you neglect to close your vents) which can be very humid and this defeats the purpose of venting.
Mold is a fungus that requires moisture and high humidity to grow and thrive.
Like plants, mold has cells. However, unlike a plant that has chlorophyll and able to makes it’s food through photosynthesis, mold can not feed without moisture.
Mold reproduces by releasing it’s spores, this is mold’s survival mechanism.
In addition to moisture, mold also requires the right temperature of 41 degrees fahrenheit up to 100 degrees fahrenheit, common in Atlanta, Georgia and the South.
The final ingredient mold needs to thrive is food: high cellulose materials such as paper and wood, drywall, wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, dust, and dirt.
Now that you understand why mold grows in your crawlspace, the remainder of this article will list and explain the top three reasons why you have moisture in your crawlspace and what you can do to fix the humidity issues.
How To Measure The Relative Humidity Of Your Crawlspace?
The easiest way to determine the relative humidity of your crawlspace is to use a hygrometer or you could install a digital thermo-hygrometer with a remote sensor to track it.
If the relative humidity is greater than 50% this could cause moisture issues that leads to mold.
Mold will begin to grow at 50%, and will thrive when the humidity is greater than 70%.
The key to ensuring that your crawlspace does not become a source of mold is to figure out how to control the humidity.
Listed below are the top three reasons your crawlspace has high humidity.
#1 Water Accumulation
If your crawlspace has standing water, you probably have a drainage problem or a plumbing leak. This needs to be fixed immediately.
You do not want water to accumulate in your crawlspace because this will compound your potential mold problems, not to mention as mold grows it will impact the indoor air quality of your home and health.
#2 Moisture Evaporating from the Ground
When homes are built with crawl spaces, most builders neglect to cover the ground, meaning that the crawlspace is covered with dirt.
Dirt has moisture and as the moisture evaporates, it will increase the humidity in your crawlspace.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem in Atlanta, Georgia, and other southern states. To prevent moisture from evaporating from the ground, the easiest solution is to cover it up with a vapor barrier during crawlspace encapsulation.
#3 Outdoor Air Coming in through the Crawl Space Vents
The third reason your crawlspace could have moisture issues is through the vents.
When you bring outdoor air into the crawlspace, the relative humidity can increase.
Cool air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air, so the air that enters is now closer to its saturation point, referred to as the dew point.
It might be 60% relative humidity outside, relative to a temperature of 90 degrees fahrenheit, but when that air enters the crawlspace and cools down to 75 degrees fahrenheit, the relative humidity jumps up to 95%.
In the past, we were told that crawlspaces needed to be ventilated. Now, however, we are learning that crawlspaces need to be treated almost as if they were living spaces. In other words, areas that are in contact with your living space affect your living space.
Fixing Your Crawlspace Humidity and Mold Problems
If your crawlspace is vented and the relative humidity is high, you need to fix the problems. It is not as simple as installing a dehumidifier either.
If you have water accumulation, the source of the water must be addressed. If it is a plumbing issue, fix the leak. If the problem is caused by drainage, this must be fixed as well.
If the problem relates to moisture evaporating from the ground or outdoor air coming into your vents, this can be fixed with crawlspace encapsulation.
Mold-B-Gone Remediation, LLC specializes in drying out damp crawlspaces and turning them into dry, healthy foundations for your home.
Our dry-space crawlspace system includes the following:
- Thorough cleaning of the crawlspace, including mold removal and prevention.
- Installation of a wall-to-wall guide, durable, 14 mil vapor barrier.
- Attachment of the vapor barrier over ground and up sidewalls to 6 inches below floor joists.
The end result is an energy efficient, healthy home.
If you are concerned about humidity in your crawlspace, call 678-697-6267 or send an e-mail. We look forward to serving you! 🙂
by Eric Brown | Jan 25, 2016 | Basement Mold, Beware Of Mold When Buying A Home, Flood Clean Up, Health, Indoor Air Quality, Killing Mold, Mold Facts, Mold Information, Mold Inspection, Mold Remediation, Mold Removal, Mold Removal Cost, Questions and Answers, Top 15 Mold Prevention Tips, Toxic Mold, Water Damage Restoration
The Key To Mold Prevention Is Moisture Control!
The Key To Mold Prevention Is Moisture Control!
Mold spores are all around us, outside and indoors. Mold actually serves a purpose in our eco-system to consume dead organic materials.
Problems with mold arise indoors primarily because our homes are made of dead organic materials, meaning mold can grow anywhere in your home: on carpet, clothing, food, paper, and even in places you can’t see, such as the backside of drywall, areas inside walls around leaking or condensing pipes, and above ceiling tiles.
The simplest way to detect a mold problem is using your own senses. A musty odor is one indication. Not only is mold smelly, but can be many different colors from black and gray to orange and green. Watermarks on the ceiling and walls are also a telltale sign.
There are two key reasons, you should be concerned about preventing mold.
First, mold can be difficult and costly to remove.
Second, mold can produce allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins that can compromise your health. Because mold spores are very small and can easily be inhaled into the lungs, it is harmful to live in a home with high mold levels.
Mold Can Compromise Your Health
Mold growth can be prevented. Mold growing in your home requires moisture, warmth, and food. Depriving mold of any of these three items will stop it from growing, but it will not kill the mold that is already there. Mold spores will remain dormant, and if the moisture, warmth and food all reappear, mold will begin to grow again.
So what can you do if you’re concerned about mold growing in your home?
Listed below are the top 15 mold prevention tips.
The Top 15 Mold Prevention Tips
Mold Prevention Tip #1: Audit Your Home For Problem Areas!
It is difficult to mold-proof a home. However, you can take proactive steps to determine if you have problems that could lead to mold concerns.
Does the basement flood?
Do you notice frequent condensation on windows?
Is there a water stain on the ceiling from a persistent leak?
Is your basement damp?
Does water flow into your home’s foundation?
Addressing these questions may entail some upfront costs to fix, but it will be worth the investment in preventing future mold problems.
It is also important to note that if you are renovating your home or considering building a new home, that you may want to consider researching mold prevention products, including mold-resistant drywall and sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints.
Mold-resistant drywall is recommended because traditional drywall is made up of gypsum plaster core pressed between piles of paper, making it highly susceptible to mold. What this means is that in the presence of moisture and water, traditional drywall acts like a sponge absorbing the moisture leading to mold. Since traditional drywall is so porous, the only remedy to removing the mold is to tear out the drywall.
In contrast, mold-resistant drywall is paperless because the gypsum core is covered in fiberglass, meaning it is water-resistant and therefore less susceptible to mold growth. Moisture resistance drywall should be used in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and kitchens because these areas of the home are most prone to moisture.
Mold Prevention Tip #2: Dry Wet Materials Immediately!
Mold can not grow without moisture and given the right conditions, it will begin growing within 24 to 48 hours.
With this in mind, tackle we areas right away.
- Don’t leave wet clothes or other items lying around the house, dry them outside if possible.
- Dry spills on carpet and floors.
- Dry your clothes after washing them by putting them in the dryer soon after the wash cycle is complete.
- If heavy rainfall causes seepage into your basement, make sure you dry the area promptly and contact a company to waterproof your basement to prevent future occurrences.
- If you experience a flood event, dispose of water-damaged carpets, bedding, and furniture if they can not be dried completely. Ideally, contact a restoration company to manage the clean up and drying process.
Mold Prevention Tip #3: Clean, Disinfect, and Dry Surfaces!
Vacuum and clean regularly to remove possible sources of mold growth.
Pay special attention to bathrooms and other areas of your home that are likely to generate a lot of moisture.
Non-porous surfaces (tile, stone, laminate) can be cleaned well with disinfectants and other cleaners.
Mold Prevention Tip #4: Repair Water Leaks!
Repair water leaks in your roof, windows, or any other part of the home as soon as possible.
Over time, constant leaks will cause moisture to buildup leading to mold growth.
Mold Prevention Tip #5: Use Area Rugs!
In portions of your home that are susceptible to moisture, use area rugs or washable floor surfaces rather than wall-to-wall carpeting. If you use area rugs, launder them periodically.
Mold Prevention Tip #6: Increase Air Flow!
Prevent moisture buildup by increasing the air flow within your home. Without good air flow, excess moisture can appear on your walls, windows, and floors.
To increase air circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets.
In addition, open windows to allow fresh air to flow indoors.
If you don’t already have an HVAC system that has an outside air intake to bring in a steady stream of outside air, consider installing one.
Mold Prevention Tip #7: Proper Ventilation!
Routine daily activities such as cooking, taking a shower, and washing laundry can create excess moisture in your home.
Prevent moisture with proper ventilation.
Vent appliances that produce moisture (clothes dryers and stoves) to the outside, not to the attic or crawl space.
Use AC units and dehumidifiers (especially in humid climates), but make sure they don’t produce moisture themselves by checking them periodically and cleaning them as directed by the manufacturer.
Energy-efficient homes are prone to holding moisture inside. For this reason, it is important that you open windows or use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom (especially when you are showering).
Mold Prevention Tip #8: Make Sure Your Storage Room Is Dry!
Most homeowners have a room where they store materials such as books, clothes, camping gear, and other occasional use items.
It is important that you check the humidity of your storage room and make sure that there is no excess moisture because most of the materials you are storing are ample sources of food for mold.
Ideally, use your garage, a well built shed that prevents moisture intrusion, or a dry storage unit and not the inside of your home. Make sure there is air circulating in the storage area as well.
Mold Prevention Tip #9: Control Humidity!
Clues that your home has excess humidity include condensation on windows, pipes, and walls. If you notice condensation, dry the surface immediately and address the source of moisture, and invest in a dehumidifier if necessary.
To measure the humidity levels in your home, purchase a moisture meter from your local hardware store.
Ideally, the indoor humidity of your home should be between 30 and 60 percent.
In the winter, it is recommended that humidity levels are below 40 percent to prevent condensation from appearing on the windows.
Mold Prevention Tip #10: Check Your Attic!
Make sure that your exhaust fans are not venting into the attic because this will create excess moisture and lead to mold.
Also, your attic needs ventilation as well, so check this.
Insulation is important, particularly in cooler climates because snow accumulation on the roof can lead to ice damning issues which will cause moisture issues.
Mold Prevention Tip #11: Check Your Crawl Space!
Most homes in the Southern United States have crawl spaces.
Crawl spaces are a breeding ground for mold because there is so much excess humidity.
Mold growth in the crawl space is a particular concern because it will also impact the indoor air quality of your home.
If you find excess moisture or mold issues in your crawl space, then the area should be cleaned properly and the mold removed. To prevent future mold issues, wall-to-wall guide, durable, 14 mil vapor barrier should be installed over the ground and up sidewalls to 6 inches below floor joists. Installation of a dehumidifier will also help control humidity.
Mold Prevention Tip #12: Prevent Basement Condensation!
The cool basement floor and walls can be a source of moisture build-up, leading to mold and that musty smell many encounter in their basements.
To prevent condensation and future moisture issues, improve air circulation, run a dehumidifier, and install a foundation drain.
Ideally, make sure the basement walls are insulated properly to keep the walls warm and limit condensation.
As a final note, if you find that there is moisture intrusion into your basement through seepage, consider hiring a contractor to water proof the area.
Mold Prevention Tip #13: Direct Water Away From Your Home!
One of the best methods to prevent seepage into your crawlspace or basement is to ensure that water around your home sufficiently slopes away from the foundation of your home.
Do not put gardens or plants too close to your foundation so that watering them could cause water to flow toward your house.
If you water your lawn with a sprinkler, make sure the water does not hit your house or the area next to the foundation.
Mold Prevention Tip #14: Keep Your Gutters and Downspouts Clear of Debris!
Debris in your gutters or downspouts could block the flow of water from your roof. To prevent water accumulation, clean your gutters regularly and have them inspected for damage. It is also a good idea to check your ceiling for water stains, particularly after heavy storms.
In addition, make sure the area under your downspouts is properly graded so that rainwater from the roof flows away from your foundation. If the water is not flowing away from the foundation, extend your downspouts.
Mold Prevention Tip #15: Check Your Plants For Mold!
Plants help keep your indoor air clean. Unfortunately, mold grows in the soil of house plants and can also grow on the leaves, leading to higher levels of mold spores in the home. To hinder mold growth in plant soil, add some Taheebo tea to your house plant water in a mild solution. The oil of this tree, which withstands fungi even in rain forests, helps hinder mold growth in plant soil and can be found at natural food stores.
Questions? Mold B Gone is here to help. We are mold removal and mold prevention specialists backing our services with a minimum guarantee of 1 year. Call 678-697-6267 or send us an e-mail.
The infographic below is an exceptional summary of mold. Enjoy!
Mold Summary
by Eric Brown | Dec 20, 2015 | Can Black Mold Poison You?, Can Mold Kill?, Christmas Tree Mold, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), Health, Indoor Air Quality, Killing Mold, Mold and Asthma, Mold and Sinusitis, Mold Facts, Mold Information, Mold Removal, Questions and Answers, Toxic Mold
What Is Christmas Tree Syndrome?
What Is Christmas Tree Syndrome?
Recently, a newspaper article was published to explain the potential health concerns caused by your Christmas tree: “How CHRISTMAS TREES can cause hay fever hell: Pollen grains, dust and mould can trigger sneezing, coughing and a runny nose”
The article dubbed the illness, Christmas Tree Syndrome, because 1 in 3 (approximately 35 percent) people get sick, suffering from hay fever like symptoms, soon after the Christmas tree is set up in the home.
This article explains what causes Christmas Tree Syndrome and provides recommendations on how you can minimize the potential health issues caused by this indoor air quality issue.
What Are The Health Symptoms of Christmas Tree Syndrome?
Typical signs that your tree is making you ill include the following:
- Asthma attacks, usually triggered by cladosporium mold
- Rhinitis
- Runny nose
- Sinus pain
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Cold like symptoms, that subside when away from the home or the room with the tree in it.
Mold Is The Cause Of Christmas Tree Syndrome!
Prior to the studies documented below, it was thought that tree pollen or even weed killer applied to Christmas trees made people ill.
However, as the studies below conclude, the core cause of Christmas Tree Syndrome is mold, which releases spores and causes allergic reactions:
“Researchers at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, found that a room containing a fresh Christmas tree for two weeks had mold levels that were five times the normal level. Other studies have shown that levels this high can cause allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms, says the study’s coauthor, allergist and immunologist Philip Hemmers.” (A fresh Christmas tree for two weeks had mold levels that were five times the normal level)
In another study Dr. John Santilli, compared the level of mold spores in the home before and after the tree was placed in the home. The normal level of mold spores is 800 per cubic meter, but within 14 days of the Christmas tree being in the home, the level of mold spores increased to 5,000 spores per cubic meter.
Another scientific study by allergy specialist, Dr. Lawrence Kurlandsky at Upstate Medical University in New York set out to determine why respiratory illnesses peak around Christmas. The study found 53 different kinds of mold, including, aspergillus, penicillium, cladosporium and alternaria, which can trigger asthma attacks, sneezing and a runny nose. One of the key conclusions made by this study was 70 percent of the molds found triggered allergies and asthma.
What Can I Do To Minimize Mold Exposure From My Christmas Tree?
Mold spores are found naturally on Christmas trees, which will flourish once they are in a centrally heated home.
With this in mind, if you can manage Christmas with an artificial tree, that is the best solution. Please note, artificial trees can accumulate a layer of dust and even mold if not stored properly. Be sure to store your artificial tree in a dry area and preferably in plastic tubs to minimize exposure to moisture and dust.
However, if you must use a live Christmas tree, here are some tips to minimize the health impact:
- Thoroughly hose down your tree and let it dry before bringing it into the house. If you bought your tree at a nursery, ask if they have tree washing services.
- Clean all ornaments and lights before putting on the tree; they can harbor dust and molds. Store all decorations in plastic containers that can be easily wiped down since cardboard can potentially attract dust and mold.
- Minimize exposure. If you’re sensitive to molds, keep a live Christmas tree no more than four to seven days.
- Run an air purifier in the same room as the Christmas tree. This may help alleviate symptoms.
- Allergy medication may also help alleviate some symptoms as well.
- Since mold spores may accumulate the longer your tree is in the house, consider getting rid of it first thing on the 26th.
Happy holidays from your friends at Mold B Gone. If you have questions, we are here to help! If you think you have mold, call us, 678-697-6267 or contact us via e-mail for further assistance.
