Say Goodbye to White Mold in Your Crawl Space

white mold on crawl space beam and failing insulation

Mold is a naturally occurring fungus and it can be found everywhere – from leaves on trees to your home’s interior nooks and crannies. The latter is particularly concerning because mold can present health hazards to sensitive individuals.

Mold comes in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, and species. One of them is white mold, which can easily grow under your home in your damp crawl space. Learn more about this problem, what to look for, and how professionals help you prevent the issue from developing in your home.

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What Exactly Is White Mold?

White mold is a type of fungus that includes a wide variety of white-colored mold species. White mold can appear as soft, fuzzy, or a light powdery texture. It grows and spreads because of excess moisture, which could be the result of heavy rainfall, plumbing leaks, or poor dehumidification.

White Mold, Efflorescence, and Mildew

White mold is often confused with mildew and efflorescence. However, mildew and efflorescence often develop into mold if left untreated. The difference between mold and mildew is that mold has a stronger and more noticeable odor. Also, mildew often only grows on plants and in an outdoor setting.

White mold and efflorescence are more commonly confused than mold and mildew. The difference between white mold and efflorescence is that the latter can vary between white, brown, and yellow colors. Efflorescence also has no odor and dissolves in water, unlike white mold.

White Mold and Your Crawl Space

White mold can be found in two places located within your crawl space.

The first and most common place is where the structure meets the soil. As rainfall and water amass in the soil and make it damp, mold can grow as humidity follows the rainfall. In humid climates like Indiana, exposed soil can propagate the growth of white mold. Often, this is due to an incomplete or missing vapor barrier. The dirt, limited airflow, and excess moisture increase humidity and thus allow for mold growth.

White mold can also form on the floor joists and other wooden supports in your crawl space under certain conditions.

What are the Symptoms of White Mold Growth?

It isn’t rare for Indiana’s climate to warrant white mold growth, especially in crawl spaces. It is especially important to detect the growth of white mold in its initial stages before it spreads. Doing so can prove to prevent further damage to the structural integrity of your home, as well as your physical health.

Dampness and increased humidity in and around your crawl space are solid indicators that your crawl space is experiencing mold growth. Often, a musty odor is emitted in conjunction with the growth of white mold. This odor can cause mild to severe allergic reactions, including sneezing, watery eyes, itchy skin, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, and even asthma.

Mold grows fast. Don’t be surprised if you notice significant changes around your home or experience any of the symptoms that come with exposure to white mold. In any event, inspecting your crawl space for white mold and keeping in mind the signs that may indicate its growth will help you to prevent it from spreading.

How to Detect and Address White Mold

A straightforward way to detect white mold is through a process called direct mold sampling. The goal is to collect a small amount of the possible mold and test it to determine if you do, in fact, have white mold.

Because different fungi require different treatments, getting a sample is an excellent investment. There are many different variations of this practice, including swab/bulk samples and tape lifts.

These are common processes that a mold remediation company follows, including collecting samples and then sending them to a lab for analysis.

These specialists also can remove existing mold growth in your crawl space.

Mold of any variety can cause mild to severe allergic reactions and health problems that can be as serious as an asthma diagnosis. It is best to seek the expertise of a specialist when you suspect that your crawl space has accumulated mold.

How to Prevent White Mold

While mold removal needs to be handled by a treatment specialist, there are things you can do to prevent moisture issues that lead to the growth of white mold and other dangers in your crawl space.

The best way to protect your crawl space and home is with professional crawl space waterproofing and encapsulation. It’s important to create a healthier environment for you and your family, and a less desirable atmosphere for mold. This can be accomplished with various solutions, including:

crew installing crawl space vapor barrier and dehumidifier

Crawl space drains
Crawl space sump pump
Crawl space encapsulation with a vapor barrier
Insulating the crawl space with thermal insulation panels
Sealing crawl space vents
Dehumidification and air purification

Concerned About Crawl Space Mold? Have a Professional Take a Look!

Indiana Foundation Service specializes in preventing mold that may accumulate in or around your home. Our experts also specialize in waterproofing, which is a reliable way to avoid mold growth.

Don’t trust just anyone to solve your mold problem; rely on the experts! Our specialists have 30 years of experience in helping the local homeowners of Indiana. Contact us today for your free crawl space inspection and be done with white mold for the last time!

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FAQs

Can I remove mold from my home without professional help?

DIY mold removal with bleach is tempting but won’t completely remove the mold or address the root cause. Entering the crawl space alone is also dangerous. Trust mold removal professionals and Indiana Foundation Service for crawl space moisture. Contact us for a free inspection.

What’s the difference between wood rot and mold?

Mold is often mistaken for wood rot. While both affect structural integrity, wood rot primarily targets crawl space joists and beams, causing sagging floors. Wood rot is generally non-toxic, but different mold types can worsen asthma and allergies. Indiana Foundation Service identifies the underlying mold issue in your crawl space during a free inspection.

Should I invest in regular crawl space inspections to prevent mold growth?

Yes, frequent inspections help identify issues before they worsen. After Indiana Foundation Service encapsulates your crawl space, benefit from our annual maintenance plans. We return annually to evaluate your crawl space’s ongoing safety. Contact us for more information and to schedule a free inspection.

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.