If you reside in the South and have a crawl space, it probably does not come as a shock to find that it most likely has fungus growth. This is particularly true if your crawl space isn’t sealed off, has previously experienced flooding, or if the moisture level is not monitored. Continue reading if you’re concerned about microbial growth in your crawl area. You’ll discover more about identifying crawl space fungus growths, their sources, how they affect you and your house, and why it’s important to know all of this.
Crawl Space Fungus: What is it?
Knowing the difference between fungus and mold before anything else is paramount. The phrase “fungus” is a catch-all term for all fungi, including yeast, mold, mildew, and even mushrooms. Therefore, if you investigate your crawl space and discover any of these fungi, it has fungal growth.
Mold, mildew, and yeast can grow in the smallest cracks and go unnoticed for a very long time, but fungi that take the appearance of mushrooms are simple to spot. These fungi can occasionally be mistaken as a speck of dirt or even a “crack” in the cement or wood. A detailed inspection of these locations will show you how to deal with crawl space fungus.
Detecting Crawl Space Fungus: Where to Look
You must manually descend into your crawl area and inspect to check for fungal development. There isn’t any other way to detect visible fungal indicators, which is terrible because it’s probably not how you want to spend your Saturday. A heavy musty smell is the first indication that anything is growing.
You’ll be able to identify it solely by the scent of it, whether it’s from the fungi itself, or water-damaged wood that greatly increases the chance of fungal growth. Make sure to look for any indications of water damage or growth already present along the walls and foundation. Remember, never neglect to lift the edges of any decaying wood to look for any potential growth that may be under there!
Crawl Space Fungus: What is its cause?
It doesn’t take much for fungus to develop in your crawl area. Warm temperatures, a minimum of 70% humidity, and a food source (such as wooden floor joists) are all required.
Crawl Space Fungus’ Effects
Too many people think that because the crawl space is isolated from the rest of the house, that crawl space fungus isn’t a huge concern. It could be easily thought that since it is below your living areas that it doesn’t need to be taken more seriously. This couldn’t be more false!
After exposure to water, structure-damaging fungus can appear in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Unless it is eliminated through a time-consuming process, it will keep spreading. Any type of fungus in your crawl space is undesirable.
Infestations of insects within your home, dampness on insulation and water pipes, buckled hardwood floors, and musty odors are all signs of fungus growing in the crawl space below. If left unchecked, fungal growth in your crawl space will gradually erode the wood, destroy the substructure of your home, and inevitably infiltrate your living areas.
Impacts on Health
In addition to harming structures, fungus can have negative health impacts. Did you realize that up to 40% of the air in your home comes from the crawl space? Crawl space fungus can cause everything from allergic reactions to lung irritation, so be careful! Any fungus should never be inhaled; the only way to remove it properly is through a professional and careful removal.
How to Avoid Crawl Space Fungal Growth
Keeping the humidity at about 60% and keeping an eye on the moisture content can help stop fungus from growing again in your crawl space. The ideal range for this is between 12 and 17%. If required, control these levels using a crawl space-grade dehumidifier.
Additionally, look for any holes where condensation might enter from the outside. Having your crawl space sealed can stop fungus from growing, sparing you from later having to deal with mold cleanup. You can fight crawl space fungus with the use of some straightforward safeguards. Ideally, contacting a professional crawl space service will ensure the process is done right.
Encapsulating Crawl Spaces With Expert Services
We advise having your crawl space enclosed if it hasn’t previously been done so as to avoid problems like mold development. A fine team of crawl space encapsulation experts, like ours here at Barrier Waterproofing Systems, can help. With years of experience and industry resources, we can seal up your crawl space, keeping moisture out for good. Give us a call today at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168 for more information and to schedule a FREE evaluation.
