Crawl space mold cleanup
Mold on crawl space framing is a moisture problem first. Cleaning it up only lasts when the dampness that fed it is fixed too.
Crawl space mold cleanup removes mold growth from floor joists, beams and the underside of the subfloor, and fixes the moisture that caused it. For Rutherford County homeowners who've spotted fuzzy or dark growth under the house, or had it flagged on an inspection, contractors clean and treat the wood and then deal with the humidity or water behind it.
What does crawl space mold look like?
- White, gray or greenish fuzzy patches on joists and subfloor
- Black or dark spotting, often on the sides of joists
- Staining that follows water drips or the path of a sweating duct
- A strong musty smell under the house and in the rooms above
Why it grows under Murfreesboro homes
Mold needs moisture. In a vented crawl space in Murfreesboro, humid summer air carries plenty of it, and the area averages about 56 inches of precipitation a year. Add bare or torn ground cover, clay soil over limestone that keeps the ground damp, and maybe a leaking pipe or sweating duct, and the wood stays wet long enough for mold to take hold.
How is it handled?
- Inspecting to find the moisture source and the extent of growth
- Cleaning or treating the affected wood
- Removing contaminated insulation and debris
- Fixing the source: leaks, drainage, ground cover, vents or humidity
- Often, encapsulating and adding a dehumidifier to keep it from coming back
Is it a health concern?
Air from a crawl space can move up into the house. If anyone in the home has allergies, asthma or other health concerns, talk to a doctor, and ask the contractor what precautions they take during cleanup.
What affects the cost?
- How much of the framing is affected
- Crawl space size and access
- Insulation and debris removal
- What has to be done to fix the moisture source
- Whether wood is damaged enough to need repair
The contractor you're connected with prices the work after seeing the space.
Common questions
Will mold come back after cleanup?
It can if the crawl space stays damp. That's why mold cleanup is usually paired with drainage, a sealed liner or a dehumidifier.
Does all crawl space mold mean the wood is ruined?
No. Surface mold can often be cleaned. Wood that's soft or crumbly has decay and may need to be sistered or replaced.
Can I just spray bleach on it?
Spraying doesn't fix the moisture, and the growth tends to return. A contractor can find out why it's growing and propose a lasting fix.
Where this service is available
Related services
- Crawl space encapsulation
- Crawl space drainage and sump pumps
- Dehumidifier installation
- Sagging floor repair
Background on Tennessee licensing, the city code and the limestone under Rutherford County is in the Rutherford County crawl space guide.
Water on the rock, a musty house, or a floor that dips?
Call and we'll put you in touch with an independent crawl space contractor who works in Murfreesboro and across Rutherford County.