Mold Growth in a Crawl Space
Have you experienced having to repeatedly clean your Crawl Space Cleaning Houston because of pest and cockroach activity? If so, then you are experiencing the frustration of cleaning and mopping up a dirty, unusable space. However, if you want to enjoy the luxury of a finished basement or crawl space with ease and comfort, it is imperative that you keep the area clean and free of debris and pests on a regular basis.
The key to successful crawl space cleaning and mowing is moisture control. You cannot mow around your walls and windows without creating a moist environment. When you mow the lawn outside, the moisture is absorbed into the ground and moves into the air. In turn, the moisture condenses into water that can be evaporated quickly before it has a chance to harm you, your home, or your property. When it rains, however, you are suddenly faced with a wet and slippery lawn.
A simple solution to this problem is to install a vapor barrier between your wall and the ceiling. This will significantly reduce the amount of moisture that can soak into your walls and windows. Maintaining a clean crawl space is one of the best preventative measures that you can take against disease and pest activity. Unfortunately, many homeowners never take the time to maintain their crawl space. The result is often an uninviting environment where many pests and rodents have the opportunity to colonize.
If your walls and windows are already drenched from moisture, then the only solution available is crawl space insulation. In order to successfully insulate your crawl spaces, it is necessary to clean and remove all debris. Once this is completed, you should also remove all furniture and install plastic sheeting over the top and sides of the room in order to seal in the moisture. Once this process is complete, then you can begin your crawl space cleaning. It is important to remember that if your walls or windows have not been sealed yet, this process will not be completed.
While it is impossible to improve indoor air quality by cleaning and insulating your crawl space without the assistance of a professional, this process will significantly improve indoor air quality over time. Of course, even the most well-insulated system cannot keep water or moisture out entirely. Crawl space cleaning is simply part of any good air quality management system. Professional encapsulators can also perform additional tasks like removing mildew, mold, algae, fungus, and other microbes that live in and around your walls. They can then be removed and properly disposed of when the job is completed.
Properly cleaning and insulating your crawl spaces are extremely important for safety and health. Mold and mildew can cause breathing problems and allergic reactions. Many people with allergies are sensitive to mold and mildew, and they cannot get these effects under control if they are constantly exposed to it. Other symptoms include headaches, fatigue, and more. Not only is the potential health damage bad enough, but the effects to your property value can be devastating as well. Many buildings have been lost to neglect because of improper Crawl Space Cleaning.
Many professional companies offer comprehensive crawl space cleaning services for deep, wide, and long term mold growth. The proper products and equipment are used to extract the water and moisture, and then the materials are cleaned inside and out to prevent re-growth. There are a few things to look for in a Crawl Space Cleaning service. You should find out if the company uses chemicals to get rid of the moisture, if the workers are certified and trained in the use of chemical extraction equipment, and if they have the necessary insurance to protect their clients against liabilities. Professional companies that have a proven track record and are members in good standing with the Better Business Bureau should be preferred over fly-by-night operations.
A properly insulated and maintained structure will save money on utility bills, keep people safe from dangerous allergens, and allow them to stay healthy and safe. It is not a good idea to live in a home that is not properly insulated. Professional Crawl Space Cleaning services can give you a free quote on insulating your space, and they can even give you the options of an energy efficient space to keep you warm and dry, while keeping the mold and mildew at bay. It will cost a bit more to install an energy efficient space than it will to simply clean and insulate your existing space, but it will be an investment that pays for itself over time. Many people put off replacing the insulation in their home when they know that it will cost too much and by doing so they are putting themselves and their families at risk for health problems and premature deaths due to exposure to harmful substances.
