Before

After

Knoxville Mold in a Crawlspace

Mold damage to the supports of hardwood floors and the joists supporting the main level of Knoxville homes is common. Much of this issue stems from the presence of groundwater, elevated relative humidity, or flooding conditions that do not get adequately addressed. Prolonged moisture in crawlspaces can promote mold spores forming colonies and spreading rapidly. Much like you see, our SERVPRO team can help in several ways, including:

• Water removal services
• Mold inspections
• Basement mold remediation
• Black mold damage repairs
• Mold removal

The presence of mold in the crawlspace is not a victimless situation for Knoxville homes, as microorganisms and volatile compounds can find their way into main living spaces after deteriorating subflooring and flooring materials. Responding SERVPRO remediators understand the importance of overcoming moisture concerns first to make the affected environment uninhabitable for microbial organisms. Even in low-traffic areas like the crawlspace, persistent dampness can continue to present ideal conditions for further mold colony development and the deterioration and destruction of host materials.

Preventing the Spread of Mold and Water Damage

Establishing negative pressure in the crawlspace is an effective method to prevent the migration of moisture and other harmful effects to other areas of the house. This combines air filtration equipment and drying tools to form a non-physical barrier that establishes workspaces. It is critical for tools like air movers, dehumidifiers, and portable heaters to actively work to promote evaporative drying and return the crawlspace to its average humidity levels.

How Can Mold Removal Begin in Knoxville Crawlspaces?

Mold removal tactics can vary considerably in spaces beneath a residence, determined mostly by the condition of the hosting materials. Much like this situation, the prompt arrival and action of our SERVPRO remediation team can often prevent unnecessary tear-out and reconstruction needs. Should this be necessary, this also works that our professionals can address in-house with our general contractor license and years of construction experience.

We can employ specific aggressive mold removal tactics for active colonization to prevent further water and moisture from entering the crawlspace. Unlike some of the antimicrobial cleaning practices or media blasting techniques, sandblasting focuses on introducing pressurized air and sand to affected surfaces to remove surface colonization and eliminate much of the organism beyond this superficial exposed layer.

Are There Preventative Steps to Help?

Refinishing surfaces is not a serious concern in crawlspaces. Still, the application of products like antifungal primers can make surfaces uninhabitable to mold spores if the crawlspace becomes damp again. Because the supports and subflooring are hidden from view in most cases, further painting is not necessary. With these surfaces protected from further mold development, conditions in the living space above should improve. Indoor air quality can suffer at the hands of active colonization, creating challenging environments for those exposed.

Crawlspace encapsulation can protect this area beneath your residence even more from moisture and microbial threats. Thick, 10-mil plastic sheeting covering all exposed surfaces can prevent water penetration, so mold is not a recurring concern for Knoxville homeowners.