Crawl spaces are notorious for being damp, and like any other damp place, crawl spaces can harbor mold. Mold in your crawl space can be serious since the spores can waft up to the living levels in your home. If you keep smelling a musty odor, the problem might be mold down below in the crawl space.
You'll want the mold removed, and you may also want to consider crawl space mold encapsulation to keep mold away. Here's how crawl space mold encapsulation works.
The Mold Has to Be Removed or Sealed
The mold in the crawl space has to be removed as much as possible. This might be done by removing moldy insulation and anything else you have in the space, such as storage boxes and clutter. Then the contractor has to scrub the mold off of the wood in your crawl space. This may not be easy, so if the contractor can't remove the mold, they might use mold killer on the wood and then paint over the mold with anti-microbial paint made to seal mold spores.
Plastic Sheets Are Installed on the Walls And Floor
A crawl space usually has a dirt floor, and that makes dampness even worse since water vapor rises through the dirt. Crawl space mold encapsulation involves putting thick anti-microbial plastic sheets on the floor and walls to seal off the crawl space. The contractor seams the plastic sheets together so no air or mold spores can waft through any cracks and get inside the encapsulated area.
The Air in the Crawl Space Is Conditioned
The air inside the encapsulated crawl space has to be conditioned. An easy way to do that is with a dehumidifier. This can be set up so a hose drains condensation outside and you don't have to worry about going in the crawl space to empty the condensation pan all the time. The dehumidifier you buy may also come with a monitor you can place upstairs that displays the humidity in the crawl space so you know the dehumidifier is working. By keeping the air dry, mold growth will be controlled.
A damp crawl space can not only grow mold, it attracts insects that also get in your living area above. By having a plastic sheeting barrier, you won't have to worry about mold, odors, insects, or high humidity getting in your living space and causing problems with your home. Plus, your encapsulated crawl space will be dry enough that you can use it for storage without worry of mold and water damage.
If you are interested or want to find out more, contact a company like MPHI Home Specialists.