Call UsHow do I know if there is mold in my crawl space?
Even if mold colonies are still not visible, they might just well be there. A strong indicator of a mold infestation in its early stages is the musty smell these fungi produce. Additionally, if your basement is damp, it could be ridden with mold for a long time at this point.
How to kill crawl space mold?
To get rid of existing mold in your crawl space, applying fungicide and replacement of moldy structures may be required. However, for a definitive solution, one must keep Relative Humidity levels under control. Lowering RH levels under 60% in a crawl space makes it unsustainable for mold to live, causing it to dry and die. This also prevents new occurrences of mold colonies, as long as humidity is kept at safe levels.
Why is my crawlspace wet?
Water infiltration in crawl spaces can happen due to a multitude of reasons, among which are evaporation through dirt floor, influx of humid external air through vents, condensation in ducts and pipes and leaks in plumbing. In every case, water in crawl space is bad news and should be addressed properly.
Maryland Mold and Waterproofing can adequately seal your basement against every source of humidity, turning your home into a safer and healthier living space.
Why is my crawl space moldy?
Mold occurs when Relative Humidity levels are too high. In crawl spaces, this happens when water finds its way in through evaporation, humid air currents and condensation. Properly encapsulation and continuous dehumidification are enough to uproot the causes of mold in a crawl space.
Why is the floor above the crawl space sagging, bouncy or creaking?
If your floors are making strange noises or sagging, chances are they have become weak due to excessive humidity coming from the crawl space. In such case, we strongly recommend you to call Maryland Mold and Waterproofing to address the sources of moisture coming from below, and then fix or replace the compromised structures.
How to get rid of bad smells coming from the crawl space?
Sources of bad smell coming from crawl spaces include mold, bacteria and even feces left behind by critters that find their way into the foundation. In order to permanently rid your crawl space from these pests, you should keep it dry. Maryland Mold and Waterproofing provide excellent crawl space encapsulation services, along with installation of powerful dehumidifiers, to add an extra layer of protection against humidity, year-round.
Can a moldy crawl space make my family sick?
All species of mold release spores in the air, which flow up from the crawl space into your family’s living grounds. These spores, when breathed, can cause mild to severe allergies. Additionally, a few mold species, such as black mold, release dangerous mycotoxins, which can cause very serious illnesses and should be dealt with immediately.
Can my vented crawl space be the cause of my high energy bills?
Vented crawl spaces allow external air in. During winter, that is undesirable, because you want to keep heated air in and cold air out of your home. This can be accomplished by sealing the vents. This way, your heating systems will require less energy to keep temperatures at comfortable levels.
Why are the floors above the crawl so cold during the winter?
If your crawl space has unsealed vents, cold air flows in and moves upwards, making your floors cold and your living spaces uncomfortable and harder to heat.
What is the best way to insulate the crawl space?
Even if your crawl space is already insulated, the technique employed may not have been ideal. Fiberglass batts or lining does not adequately seal the floor, because air can still pass through. Additionally, batts can become soaked with moisture and end up moldy or collapse due to the water weight.
The encapsulation techniques employed by the specialists at Maryland Mold and Waterproofing are on par with recommendations by modern building science.
What is the best type of insulation for a crawl space?
Choice of material for insulation is paramount. Fiberglass, for example, would constitute a terrible choice.
That’s why, at Maryland Mold and Waterproofing, we use rigid foam board or closed-cell spray foam, both of which are impervious to moisture and mold.
How do I keep pests and wildlife away from my crawl space?
Having your crawl space encapsulated puts a physical barrier between it and the outside, making it much harder for critters to get in. Additionally, encapsulation keeps your crawl space dry, which makes it impossible for mold to survive down there.
Do crawl space vent fans work?
Crawl space vents, once thought to help with keeping crawl spaces dry, are now known to make things much worse. Vents allow humid air from outside in, which is a major source of moisture.
Sealing these vents, encapsulating the crawl space and running a good dehumidifier are excellent measures to prevent hazards caused by humidity in the foundation.
Does crawl space encapsulation help mitigate radon?
Crawl space encapsulation helps with keeping radon gas out as a physical barrier, but significant volumes of radon would require a proper radon mitigation system.
Is crawl space encapsulation safe when your home has high radon levels?
If your home has been tested for high concentrations of radon gas, both encapsulation and a radon mitigation system should be placed. These measures, when combined, are much more effective than one or the other alone.
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What Our Basement Waterproofing Customers Say About Us
Dan Velich2023-06-27Was very knowledgeable and gave honest feedback on how to fix the problem, versus trying to just sell me something. Will definitely use again
Kerrie Sullivan2023-06-09We used Maryland Mold and Waterproofing to remediate mold from our HVAC system and to water proof our basement. That meant coordinating an HVAC company as well as the waterproofing done by Maryland Mold and Waterproofing. Colin Hall was our representative and coordinated this beautifully. He was not only very professional but made sure the job was done to our satisfaction and even came out himself to put our basement shelving back together when the job was complete. He takes pride in his work and made sure we were well taken care of. We finally have a dry basement after years of rain water infiltration. I highly recommend Maryland Mold and Waterproofing and hope you have a similar experience.
Robyn Davis2023-06-08Collin was professional, kind and kept us in the loop in a timely fashion
Randy Goguen2022-11-30Maryland Mold and Waterproofing did a great job at performing mold remediation and crawlspace encapsulation on my house. I was pleased with all aspects of the process, from the initial estimate to project completion. I solicited estimates from three companies, including two national enterprises that advertise heavily. One never bothered to respond. The other sent someone to provide an estimate who was supposed to be a structural engineer (at least that was claimed in the company’s brochure), but had no such credentials on his business card. I had some concerns about possible structural problems, and the rep told me I needed a support beam and four jacks to buttress a “seriously under-engineered” floor. Subsequent attempts to follow up with that company met with no response. I decided to contract with Maryland Mold and Waterproofing and part of the contract included having an independent structural engineer evaluate the space. His evaluation concluded that there were no serious structural issues, just normal settling for a house that is 50 years old. The first MMW crew came out to remove all the moldy insulation and applied a fungicide in the crawlspace. Within a matter of days a chronic problem I have had with my sinuses that I thought I was stuck with for the rest of my life cleared up. A few weeks later a crew came to finish the encapsulation and install a dehumidifier. Both crews worked hard and efficiently in a very confined space and were courteous. I recommended the company to my neighbors, and MMW is doing the work on two more houses on my block.
Roger Cox2022-11-21Nick did a fine job of explaining our project and his team was here on schedule and did quality work with no problems. They treated the mold, encapsulated the crawl space and installed a dehumidifier and a turtl access hatch. Excellent work.
Ron Foster2022-11-11Great experience MD Mold and Waterproofing. The entire team was professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and did their jobs well. We have gone through a complete remodel of the old home we just purchased and have dealt with a million trades and contractors. The team from MD Mold and Waterproofing rose to the top! We'd highly recommend using them. Hats off to you, Nick and Colin, Freddy and the other gentleman who have made our basement water-free :-)
Roger Longenbach2022-07-22After our drain broke we discovered mold under the floor. Maryland Mold and Waterproofing provided a quote and was able to respond quickly after our agreement was signed. The folks were professional and courteous. Their efforts were much appreciated. They are definitely a company to consider if one has a potential mold issue.
Service Area
Maryland Mold & Waterproofing offers a variety of services from waterproofing to foundation repairs. We offer the following services in your area, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, sump pump installation and service, basement crack repair, vapor barriers and moisture control.