Why Do I Have a Moldy Crawl Space?

A moldy crawl space is frustrating for sure, but one of the most frustrating things about having a moldy crawl space can be when you don’t understand what’s happening. Fungus requires water to grow, so here are the main reasons you probably have a moldy crawl space. 

• High Crawl Space Humidity 

High crawl space humidity can be dangerous. There are many reasons you might have high crawl space humidity, including open crawl space vents, a dirt crawl space floor, or just general high levels of humidity. Because mold thrives above 60-70% relative humidity, all the above are a great starting point for mold. 

The most common causes of dampness in a crawl space are uncovered vents, bare dirt floors, cracks in the walls or foundation of a property. In most cases, waterproofing and encapsulation can nip a crawl space’s damp problems, and thereby its mold problems, in the bud very quickly. If, however, the dampness comes from structural damage, it will need to be addressed. 

• Standing Water in the Crawl Space 

The other potential reason for mold in your crawl space is if you have standing water in the crawl space which is not being efficiently drained. The standing water will inevitably turn into high levels of humidity as that water evaporates. Plus, the area right around the standing water will always have high enough levels of humidity to maintain mold growth. 

As such, even a single puddle can damage the environment in your crawl space. Ensuring that you have efficient drainage options in place, however, will prevent standing water in your crawl space and keep relative humidity low. Encapsulation, too, will help to minimize the impact of flooding and standing water in your crawl space.