Mold

Common Issue: Mold in Crawl Space

Mold can grow on virtually any organic material so long as moisture and oxygen arepresent. In your home, there are molds that grow on:

  • Wood
  • Paper
  • Carpet
  • Food
  • Insulation

Because mold eats or digests what it is growing on, it can damage a building and its furnishings. If left unchecked, mold eventually can cause structural damage to building materials. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to buildings and building contents, save money and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.

 

Mold can also be a major danger to the family living within the home. Because of the stack effect, mold spores that germinate in the crawl space eventually spread through the entire home. Mold spores cause health issues to family members and can trigger asthmatic episodes in sensitive individuals. Unvented crawl spaces have been called “mold amplification” environments by building scientists. According to the EPA, crawl spaces suffer from mold growth because they are high humidity environments. Sometimes, humidity or dampness (water vapor) in the air can supply enough moisture for mold growth. Eliminating all mold and mold spores indoors is virtually impossible, but controlling indoor moisture will control the growth of indoor mold. According to the EPA website, “Indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60 percent — ideally between 30 percent and 50 percent, if possible. Low humidity may also discourage pests (such as cockroaches) and dust mites.”

 

Moisture problems can have many causes. Some moisture problems have been linked to changes in building construction practices since the 1970s. These practices led to buildings that are tightly sealed but, in some cases, lack adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, moisture may build up indoors and mold may grow.A building must be properly designed forclimate, site location, and use, and its design must be accurately followed during construction or the building may have moisture-control problems. Delayed or insufficient maintenance can also lead to moisture problems in buildings. Undiscovered or ignored moisture problems can create an environment in which mold can grow.

 

Some moisture problems are not easy to see. For example, the inside of walls where pipes and wires are run (pipe chases and utility tunnels) are common sites of mold growth. Mold is frequently found on walls in cold corners behind furniture where condensation forms. You may suspect mold, even if you can’t see it, if a building smells moldy. You may also suspect hidden mold if you know there has been a water problem in the building and its occupants are reporting health problems. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity. When warm, humid air contacts a cold surface, condensation may form. (To see this, remove a cold bottle of water from a refrigerator and take it outside on a hot day. Typically, condensation will form on the outside of the bottle.) Molds gradually destroy whatever they grow on, so preventing mold growth also prevents damage to building materials and furnishings. If a mold and moisture problem goes unaddressed long enough, structural damage is likely to result. For example, if a roof is allowed to leak long enough, molds can weaken floors and walls by feeding on the wet wood.
When mold is suspected of causing damage to the structural integrity of a building, a structural engineer or other professional with relevant expertise should be consulted.

 

The Solution –The World’s Only Authentically Botanical Disinfectant – Benefect

 

What does it mean to be an Authetically Botanical disinfectant? Benefect uses the essential oil of the thyme plant as their active Ingredient, not a synthetic chemical substitute. Using real, food grade ingredients makes Benefect products a sustainable option for disinfecting and cleaning.
The Benefect StoryBenefect’s botanical disinfectants and cleaners are used by Insurance Restoration Contractors to clean up water damage, fire damage, mold remediation and trauma scene clean up. Using nature as the model, Benefect created natural cleaning products with no compromise in strength, without endangering human health. When necessary, Carolina Energy Conservation uses Benefect to disinfect the mold and mildew in the crawl space.

  • Kills 99.99% of bacteria in 30 seconds!
  • No strong odors
  • Uses Botanical Thyme Oil as the Active Ingredient
  • Botanical isn’t just in the product name, or just one ingredient, Benefect is the only ALL botanical formula in the industry.
  • Safe for our employees, safe for the environment, and most importantly, safe for the homeowner and the homeowner’s pets.

Carolina Energy Conservations always put the safety of our employees and our customers first. Benefect is our choice for mold remediation because it is a proven disinfectant that doesn’t require personal protective equipment (PPE) for application. Though we don’t recommend it, the scientists at Benefect claim you can drink it without ill-effect.