Why would mold want to grow in the crawl space under your house of all places? The answer to this question is that the crawl space under your house has the prime conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Mold requires warm dark and moist conditions, and nutrients for optimal growth.

Crawl spaces are usually dark. They are a nutrient paradise, as they contain dust and wood. It is also a hard task to control moisture there. This means that crawl spaces have a higher chance of forming mold colonies than any other part of your house. It is therefore really important that you do regular investigations of the area, as this can affect the stability of your house. Look out for back growths growing on wooden materials. Especially watch out for the mold on frames, as this would be the easiest route for it to spread to other areas of the house.

Another tell-tell sign of a mold problem is a musty smell the fungi produces. Once it has reached the stage where you can smell it from your house, then the problem is escalated. Something needs to be done before beams supporting your house begin to collapse.

The problem can largely be solved by ventilating the crawl space adequately. A clearance of about 4-5 feet will reduce the problem dramatically. It is also important to make sure that all the walls of your foundation have vents.

Decks contribute to the moisture in the crawl space. This is because the soil under the decks receives very little air and remains moist. This moisture eventually seeps its way into the crawl space.

There are several courses of action that you can take:

1. Cover the entire of the crawl space surface with some sort of porous material like gravel
2. Use a fan to make sure that the air is well ventilated and circulating well.
3. Use a dehumidifier to constantly draw water out and replace air
4. Install a vapor barrier – Warm air travels upwards.

This same principal applies to the air in the crawl spaces. It is sucked up into the house through cracks. Remember that the air in the crawl space contains spores and other dangerous toxins. A vapor barrier is a waterproof lining that covers the soil on the surface of the crawl space in the stale air from the crawl space from rising into the house. This also prevents that musty odor that mold causes from entering the house.

The reasons to clean up the mold in your craw space are endless. The primary issue most people are concerned with is their health and how the mold may affect it. Apart from spores, fungi also produce toxins that can cause a number of different reactions. One of the most common reactions to mold is asthma, but toxins from mold in crawl spaces has been linked to several other more devastating diseases.

Keeping your crawl spaces mold free doesn’t have to be difficult. Many different measures can be put up to prevent mold from destroying your house and ruining your health.

Mold is a form of fungus that can easily grow on the walls of your home, if given the right conditions. Molds thrive on cellulose based material such as wooden on cupboards, wall paper, and other organic materials. Molds also require warm, dark conditions. It is imperative that you get rid of molds for the sake of your health.

Molds in the interior walls of your home are hazardous to your health, especially if you have children. This is because the fungi produce airborne mycotoxins that can be inhaled. These mycotoxins hamper the function of your immune system. When fungi multiply, they release spores which can cause allergies. They can also lodge in the respiratory system, further disrupting the immune system from working at its best. The longer your walls are exposed to mold, the more adverse the effects. You must get rid of mold as soon as it begins to appear on your walls. Many children with asthma are extremely sensitive to mold. Ridding the house of mold can greatly decrease a child’s use of an inhaler.

When getting rid of mold from your walls, make sure you clean your upholstery and carpets thoroughly as well. This is because these furnishings often contain a lot of dust and other organic matter such as dead skin that could serve as nutrients for the mold to spread.

If the mold in your house is extensive (i.e. it’s not just a small patch), it may be advisable to move out of the house temporarily. If that is not possible, you should try to avoid being in the affected room.

Usually in situation where the home has previously been flooded, there has been a leakage, or where the air is humid, mold will thrive. The solution for this is to dry out the home as fast as possible and allowing as much air in the house as possible. During the day, it may be wise to take down curtains and blinds to make sure the affected areas receive as much sunlight as possible.

Another solution, and probably the fastest and safest solution (especially if the problem is extensive), is to call in a professional. There should be may options for you in the Yellow pages under Fire And Water Damage Restoration. If you choose to do the job yourself make sure you:

1. Wear protective gear i.e. gloves, long sleeved top, and a mask over your mouth.
2. Move your furniture out of they room
3. Move all food out of the room and cover it up
4. Throw away all material that you use during the cleaning process.

Most people ignore molds on their walls even though they may know what there is a risk. The sad thing is that there is no way to know how much health damage mycotoxins have caused until it is too late. Mycotoxins have been linked to cancer, heart disease, chronic fatigue, lupus and a whole spectrum of other diseases. So it is imperative that you get rid of the mold on the walls of your house.

Molds are the microscopic organism which invade the food items and develop upon
them. They are basically microscopic filaments which appear like spongy grass
like substance on the food surface if viewed through naked eyes. These
microscopic cylindrical tubes of molds are called as hyphae. The spongy material
of molds is actually the numerous bacteria which are present in the air. When
these bacterias find favorable condition they settle down on the food stuff and
break down it to simple form for their consumption.

They can grow and develop at any place where there is enough moisture and
warmth. Basically, mold grows on food items which are old and stale. If a mold
growing food is consumed it can cause severe food poisoning which might
completely destroy the working of digestive system of the body.

Apart from the stale food items, molds can grow at any place in your house.
Specially, any cellulose based items, like wooden doors and windows of the attic
where everyday cleaning is not possible. Dampness is the most favorable
condition for molds to grow. Damp walls and old paper piles are also another
location for them to grow. Paper is also one of the mold growing items because
paper absorbs water from the atmosphere.

Other organic substances which can be a dwelling of molds are fabrics. Carpets
spread on the floor contain a lot of dust and dirt which is formed of
macrobiotic matter, such as dead skin cells of animals which attract these
microscopic enzymes called molds. Molds spores which infect the air can cause
various viral infections. Cold is one of the common diseases which will affect a
person who inhales these mold spores.

So, to prevent molds from growing in your house, take following precautions:

Keep the ventilation of the house properly managed as insufficient ventilation
is one of the major causes of molds growth. Let sufficient amount of sunlight
enter inside your house to remove the dampness from the house. Sunlight not only
removes the dampness but kills microscopic enzymes which cause molds.

Clean your house, specially those corners of the house which are damp and
moist. Make weekly cleaning plan for your attic as molds spores spread very
fast. If your attic is already mold infected then they might come down to your
outer walls as well. Time is one factor which helps in growth of molds as molds
have a growth period which falls between 24 hours and 10 days, provided there is
an ample amount of favorable conditions for its growth and multiplication. So,
if your out-house is not been cleaned for months, now is the right time to kill
those growing black molds.

Refrigerate the food items carefully. Food items should not be kept longer and
should be consumed as early as possible. If they are old enough for consumption
dispose them. This will prevent growth of mold on the food stuff being
refrigerated. Following these precautions can prevent the mold from growing.