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Crawl Space Mold Control: Where it Comes From

Identifying why Crawl Spaces Grow Mold & How to Control it

If you've ever had to kill a weed, you know that simply cutting away the visible portion is not enough. To kill a weed permanently, you have to remove it by the roots— its source of life.

Like weeds, mold and fungi cannot be killed simply by wiping the visible portion away. Mold spores are almost always present, just waiting for a chance to grow. The only way to truly control mold growth in a home is to eliminate the bare necessities it needs to live.

At Foundation Recovery Systems, we are experts at creating crawl space environments where mold and rot cannot thrive. We stop the problem by eliminating what helps it grow- specifically moisture and humidity.

For a free dry crawl space quote, call or e-mail us today!

Foundation Recovery Systems offers basement and crawl space waterproofing in Missouri, parts of Illinois, and Iowa including Kansas City, Independence, Columbia, St. Joseph, Bolivar, Rolla, Kirksville, Trenton, Chillicothe, Mexico, Jefferson City, MO; Mt. Ayr, Centerville, Leon, IA and many nearby areas.

Rot & Mold in a Crawl Space

To survive, mold needs three things: some warmth, organic materials to eat, and a relative humidity of 60% or higher.

Mold is very tolerant to heat and cold— it grows in refrigerators, and it will certainly survive in your crawl space. Mold can also survive by eating just about any organic material, including wood, fiberglass resins and paper backings, cardboard, dust, and organic materials in soils.

However, mold has one important weakness: it needs lots of humidity to survive. This can be controlled by sealing off the crawl space vents, installing a plastic vapor barrier on the walls and floor, and running a dehumidifier in the space.

Sources of Crawl Space Moisture & Mold
Natural Sources	Man-Made Problems
Groundwater Leaking into the Crawl Space from the ground below Water flooding in through the crawl space vents and pipe penetrations Water vapor entering through your dirt or concrete walls and floors	Failing over overworked dehumidifiers Plumbing leaks or sewage leaks Failing water heaters leaks

Controlling Mold & Rot in a Crawl Space

Mold and rot in a crawl space is a serious & insidious problem. While the problem may seem merely cosmetic at first, allowing it to continue to thrive can lead to the following:

• Rotting timbers and structural wood
• Sinking floors above the crawl space
• Drywall cracks in the home above the crawl space
• Unhealthy, allergenic mold spores in the home

The most common reason for crawl space mold is vented or dirt crawl spaces. Open crawl space vents bring in summer humidity, snow, rain, fog, and other sources of moisture— all of which creates a good habitat for mold. Additionally, winter cold will cool crawl space utilities such as furnaces or water heaters, costing you more on your utility bills.

Fortunately, sealing the crawl space to prevent these problems is a simple job— one that can be completed in a day or sometimes less.

The vents should be sealed off with airtight covers, and a thick, durable liner can be installed on the walls and floor. Airtight crawl space doors can be installed, and an energy efficient crawl space dehumidifier should be installed to dry out any existing moisture & maintain the space.

If you'd like to find out how much installing a system like this in your home would cost, Foundation Recovery Systems would be happy to help. We provide free crawl space sealing estimates to homeowners in our area, including an on-site inspection, personal consultation, and written quotes. Call or e-mail us today to get started!

Crawl Space Mold Gallery - Click on any image below to see the full size.

Foundation Repair and Basement Waterproofing in Missouri, Illinois & Iowa. See Full Service Area

Cities in Wyandotte County, KS
Kansas City

Cities in Andrew County, MO
Amazonia
Bolckow
Cosby
Fillmore
Helena
Rea
Rosendale
Savannah

Cities in Audrain County, MO
Benton City
Farber
Laddonia
Martinsburg
Mexico
Rush Hill
Thompson
Vandalia

Cities in Bates County, MO
Adrian
Amoret
Amsterdam
Butler
Drexel
Foster
Rich Hill

Cities in Benton County, MO
Cole Camp
Ionia
Lincoln

Cities in Boone County, MO
Ashland
Centralia
Columbia
Hallsville
Harrisburg
Hartsburg
Rocheport
Sturgeon

Cities in Buchanan County, MO
Agency
De Kalb
Easton
Faucett
Rushville
Saint Joseph

Cities in Caldwell County, MO
Braymer
Breckenridge
Cowgill
Hamilton
Kidder
Kingston
Polo

Cities in Callaway County, MO
Auxvasse
Fulton
Holts Summit
Kingdom City
Mokane
New Bloomfield
Portland
Steedman
Tebbetts
Williamsburg

Cities in Carroll County, MO
Bogard
Bosworth
Carrollton
De Witt
Hale
Norborne
Tina

Cities in Cass County, MO
Archie
Belton
Cleveland
Freeman
Garden City
Harrisonville
Peculiar
Pleasant Hill
Raymore

Cities in Chariton County, MO
Brunswick
Dalton
Keytesville
Mendon
Rothville
Salisbury
Sumner
Triplett

Cities in Clay County, MO
Excelsior Springs
Holt
Kansas City
Kearney
Liberty
Smithville
Gladstone

Cities in Clinton County, MO
Cameron
Gower
Lathrop
Plattsburg
Trimble
Turney

Cities in Cole County, MO
Centertown
Jefferson City
Lohman
Russellville
Saint Thomas

Cities in Cooper County, MO
Blackwater
Boonville
Bunceton
Otterville
Pilot Grove
Prairie Home
Wooldridge

Cities in Daviess County, MO
Altamont
Coffey
Gallatin
Jameson
Jamesport
Lock Springs
Pattonsburg
Winston

Cities in Dekalb County, MO
Amity
Clarksdale
Maysville
Osborn
Stewartsville
Union Star
Weatherby

Cities in Gasconade County, MO
Bland
Hermann
Morrison
Mount Sterling
Owensville
Rosebud
Boone

Cities in Gentry County, MO
Albany
Darlington
Gentry
King City
Mc Fall
Stanberry

Cities in Grundy County, MO
Galt
Laredo
Spickard
Trenton

Cities in Harrison County, MO
Bethany
Blythedale
Cainsville
Eagleville
Gilman City
Hatfield
Martinsville
New Hampton
Ridgeway

Cities in Henry County, MO
Blairstown
Calhoun
Clinton
Creighton
Deepwater
Montrose
Urich
Windsor

Cities in Howard County, MO
Armstrong
Fayette
Franklin
Glasgow
New Franklin

Cities in Jackson County, MO
Blue Springs
Buckner
Grain Valley
Grandview
Greenwood
Independence
Kansas City
Lees Summit
Lone Jack
Oak Grove
Sibley
Raytown

Cities in Johnson County, MO
Centerview
Chilhowee
Holden
Kingsville
Knob Noster
Leeton
Warrensburg
Whiteman Air Force Base

Cities in Lafayette County, MO
Alma
Bates City
Concordia
Corder
Dover
Higginsville
Lexington
Mayview
Napoleon
Odessa
Waverly
Wellington

Cities in Linn County, MO
Brookfield
Browning
Bucklin
Laclede
Linneus
Marceline
Meadville
New Boston
Purdin

Cities in Livingston County, MO
Chillicothe
Chula
Dawn
Ludlow
Mooresville
Utica
Wheeling

Cities in Macon County, MO
Anabel
Atlanta
Bevier
Callao
Elmer
Ethel
Excello
La Plata
Macon
New Cambria

Cities in Mercer County, MO
Mercer
Princeton

Cities in Moniteau County, MO
California
Clarksburg
Fortuna
High Point
Jamestown
Latham
Tipton

Cities in Montgomery County, MO
Bellflower
High Hill
Jonesburg
Montgomery City
New Florence
Rhineland
Wellsville

Cities in Morgan County, MO
Barnett
Florence
Stover
Syracuse
Versailles

Cities in Osage County, MO
Bonnots Mill
Chamois
Freeburg
Linn
Loose Creek
Westphalia

Cities in Pettis County, MO
Green Ridge
Houstonia
Hughesville
La Monte
Mora
Sedalia
Smithton

Cities in Platte County, MO
Camden Point
Dearborn
Edgerton
Kansas City
Platte City
Riverside
Weston

Cities in Putnam County, MO
Lucerne
Powersville
Unionville

Cities in Randolph County, MO
Cairo
Clark
Clifton Hill
Higbee
Huntsville
Jacksonville
Moberly

Cities in Ray County, MO
Camden
Hardin
Henrietta
Lawson
Orrick
Rayville
Richmond

Cities in Saline County, MO
Blackburn
Gilliam
Malta Bend
Marshall
Miami
Nelson
Slater
Sweet Springs

Cities in Sullivan County, MO
Green Castle
Green City
Harris
Humphreys
Milan
Newtown
Pollock
Winigan

Cities in Worth County, MO
Denver
Grant City
Sheridan
Worth

Cities in Pulaski County, MO
Dixon

Cities in Phelps County, MO
Dillon

Cities in Maries County, MO
Vienna

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1316 Erie Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116