Mold in my crawlspace - HomeModders.com

JohnnyCharley · 02-05-2010, 05:45 PM

Hello everyone!

I recently went into my home's crawlspace and found a lot of mold in there. I have been reading up on how to fix it, and some people say bleach, others say bleach doesn't work, others say the only way to really fix it is to go to professionals. I was wondering what your guys' thoughts on it were. I was checking out pro companies, and came across IndoorRestore (indoorrestore.com) and was wondering if you guys had heard of them or had any opinions on them. I called them and got a really great price estimate, so that is what initially grabbed my attention to them.

Thanks!

briansol · 02-09-2010, 12:24 PM

They key to fixing mold is to find the source. Why did the mold start growing there in the first place?

Odds are, you have a leak somewhere.... roof, improper ridge vent, a pipe, a bathroom fan, etc that is causing moisture to get into the area.

There's no magic method to getting rid of it.
I would suggest getting a resporator, and a fan aiming out to protect the rest of your hose, and get in there with a hepa-filter'ed shop vac, and vacuum up as much as you can, scrape the rest with putty knives, and finally wash it down with agents, such as a mix of:

3 parts water
1 part 35% hydrogen peroxide (available at many pharmacies/drug stores)
1 cup boric acid for each one-half gallon of mixture (water and hydrogen peroxide)

and socth-brite style abrasive pads for wood areas.

If its on easily removal items, like insulation, just throw it out and replace it.

JohnnyCharley · 02-12-2010, 02:33 PM

Thanks briansol, for your reply.

I don't know where the moisture could be getting in. I have all the proper protection down there against it and I don't know where it could be coming from. I think I'll have IndoorRestore come in just to give me an estimate and to figure out where the moisture could be coming in. I'll decide where to go from there.

Thanks much!

briansol · 02-13-2010, 02:34 PM

You're welcome, good luck!

02-05-2010, 05:45 PM	#1
JohnnyCharley Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Mold in my crawlspace Hello everyone! I recently went into my home's crawlspace and found a lot of mold in there. I have been reading up on how to fix it, and some people say bleach, others say bleach doesn't work, others say the only way to really fix it is to go to professionals. I was wondering what your guys' thoughts on it were. I was checking out pro companies, and came across IndoorRestore (indoorrestore.com) and was wondering if you guys had heard of them or had any opinions on them. I called them and got a really great price estimate, so that is what initially grabbed my attention to them. Thanks!

02-09-2010, 12:24 PM	#2
briansol Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central CT Age: 32 Posts: 499 Rep Power: 10	They key to fixing mold is to find the source. Why did the mold start growing there in the first place? Odds are, you have a leak somewhere.... roof, improper ridge vent, a pipe, a bathroom fan, etc that is causing moisture to get into the area. There's no magic method to getting rid of it. I would suggest getting a resporator, and a fan aiming out to protect the rest of your hose, and get in there with a hepa-filter'ed shop vac, and vacuum up as much as you can, scrape the rest with putty knives, and finally wash it down with agents, such as a mix of: 3 parts water 1 part 35% hydrogen peroxide (available at many pharmacies/drug stores) 1 cup boric acid for each one-half gallon of mixture (water and hydrogen peroxide) and socth-brite style abrasive pads for wood areas. If its on easily removal items, like insulation, just throw it out and replace it. __________________ 1997 2050sqft Split Level

02-13-2010, 02:34 PM	#4
briansol Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central CT Age: 32 Posts: 499 Rep Power: 10	You're welcome, good luck! __________________ 1997 2050sqft Split Level

02-12-2010, 02:33 PM	#3
JohnnyCharley Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thanks briansol, for your reply. I don't know where the moisture could be getting in. I have all the proper protection down there against it and I don't know where it could be coming from. I think I'll have IndoorRestore come in just to give me an estimate and to figure out where the moisture could be coming in. I'll decide where to go from there. Thanks much!