Mold and Mildew on Floor Joists
Many of the crawl space floor joists were covered with mold and mildew growth. This can occur on any organic materials when the relative humidity reaches over 60% during warmer temperatures. Musty odors and mold spores can find their way up into the home and irritate those with allergies and asthma.
Exposed Dirt Floor and Falling Fiberglass
The flimsy 6-mil liner in this crawl space was not sealed properly and is exposing many areas of the dirt floor. This can allow moisture to rise from the earth and into the crawl space, raising the relative humidity and damaging or affecting the materials and environment. The fiberglass batts laying on the floor fell out of the floor joists due to absorbing excessive moisture and becoming too heavy.
Exposed Porous Foundation Walls
Efflorescence has formed along the foundation walls of the crawl space. This powdery, chalky substance forms when moisture seeps through these porous cinderblock walls, bringing along with it the salts and sediments from within the blocks. Open vents lining the walls are also allowing the outside air and moisture to freely enter the crawl space and affect the relative humidity and environment.
Mold Remediation on Floor Joists
We used an antimicrobial, called Shockwave, to eliminate the mold growth along the floor joists of the crawl space. This application will kill mold spores but it will not remove any staining left behind from the growth. While the crawl space is mold and mildew free now, it can reform if the relative humidity and temperature are not controlled.
CleanSpace Vapor Barrier covering Dirt Floors
We installed a 10-mil CleanSpace Light vapor barrier over the dirt floors of the crawl space. This liner will help to protect the crawl space from moisture rising out of the earth. It is wrapped around all piers and sealed to the foundation walls six to eight inches above outside grade. This 7-layer polyethylene barrier is created with an antimicrobial, called UltraFresh, built within the material, increasing its resistance to mold growth on the liner itself.
Foamax Insulation on Foundation Walls
We installed an inch and a half thick foam board, called Foamax, over the foundation walls of the crawl space. This will help to insulate and seal the crawl space from outside influence. Foamax acts as an air barrier and vapor retarder and is mechanically fastened to the wall and sealed. The open vents lining the walls not only get covered by the Foamax but are also internally blocked with smaller foam board pieces and sealed with can foam, ensuring protection from any outside influence.
