Crawl Space Mold Removal

Mold Removal Charlotte, North Carolina

Looking for an experienced mold removal company in Charlotte? You have come to the right place! Fresh Air Technologies has been solving Charlotte Area moisture related problems for over twenty-one years. Our team has the skills and knowledge to solve all of the mold and moisture problems home and building owners face. We handle issues found in crawl spaces, basements, interiors, attics & HVAC systems. Commercial & industrial mold projects as well.

If you need professional mold removal Charlotte, contact Fresh Air Tech today! Have a mold or moisture related question you need answered? Give us a call at 704-270-2721 to speak with us directly. We will help you navigate the sometimes confusing world of mold and moisture abatement.

mold removal in Charlotte, North carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina Crawl Space Mold Removal

Charlotte, North Carolina is the most populous city in the entire state. Between 2004 and 2014, Charlotte was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the entire United States with 888,000 new residents. Among Charlotte’s many notable attractions include the Carolina Panthers (NFL), the Charlotte Hornets (NBA), the NASCAR All-Star Race, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center. All of this makes for a very popular place to live.

Crawl Space Mold Removal Services

If you home is on a crawl space, your chances of having a moisture related issue in that area increase over time. Common causes of high humidity in the crawl space include failed waterproofing, leaky plumbing, and blocked airflow through vents. Mold is the direct result of a long term elevated high humidity in the crawl space. The key to a successful remediation project involves the reduction of crawl space humidity. By stopping leaks and drying the air, you to create an environment where it is difficult for the mold to grow. Removing the mold is the easy part. Making sure the underlying moisture problem is address is essential to solving crawl space mold problems.

Facing mold and moisture related problems in the crawl space? We can help! Get a FREE estimate today when you contact our Charlotte mold removal experts!

Have a Quick Question? – We have Answers! Click Here To Talk to Us!

Charlotte Mold Removal – Wood

Mold can be cleaned from wood as long as the structural integrity has not been compromised. Severely moisture damaged wood should be replaced.

The first step in any mold cleaning process is to wear the right protection and to prep the work area accordingly. Gloves, a mask, and other protective gear are worn always during mold abatement. A plastic contained work area for large projects are a must.

Utilize source removal practices when remediating mold from wood. This means the physical removal of mold from the surface. Spraying with a hydrogen peroxide solution only is not source removal.

The affected area should be HEPA vacuumed to remove as much of the mold as possible. Using an anti-microbial detergent and clean water, scrub affected wood thoroughly until it is visibly removed.

Mold can grow into wood up to a quarter inch. This could stain the wood to that depth. Cleaners with lighteners can be used to whiten stains. Sanding the heavy stained wood is necessary to disrupt the root system of the mold to help retard future growth. Dry completely before applying an anti-microbial encapsulant to the wood.

In that case, you’ll need a HEPA vacuum to clean the surrounding area once you’ve removed the mold.

Once the moisture problem that originally caused the mold is fixed, the mold stains themselves have a very low chance of regrowth. You have a couple options here to help remove the stain.

1.) If the mold stain doesn’t run deep into the wood, you can most likely use sand paper to remove the stain. In some instances your best option, 2.) will be to stain the wood.

What Causes Mold in Charlotte Crawl Spaces and Basements

1. Foundation Cracks

After a few decades, a home’s concrete foundation will age and eventually crack. This allows for water penetration into the home. Once this occurs, the germination of mold will start.

The Fix: A crack in foundation is a serious problem. The Fresh Air Technologies team will expose the crack by opening up the walls if necessary and having it sealed and filled.

2. Humidity and Condensation

One of the leading causes of black mold growth is humidity and condensation within homes. Basements and crawlspaces often have cold walls, especially in the winter. The combination of the cold wall and the heated indoor air can result in condensation and eventual mold growth. Similar to a cold glass of water in the summer, condensation will start forming on the warmer and dryer sides.

The Fix: This type of mold happens primarily on exposed or painted concrete walls. This doesn’t require any demo of drywall – which saves a lot of time and money. Two cleaning agents will be used here, the first being a mold killing solution like Concrobium Mold Control. The second is a cleaner designed to remove any stains the mold caused. Clorox Cleanup works great for this.

3. Flooding

The leading cause of flooded basements is sump pump failure, which is something you might have encountered yourself a few times. Sump pump failure and flooding can happen when an old pump stops working or when a power outage occurs during a storm. In any case, a malfunctioning sump pump can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. If this is not fixed right away, remaining water can get into walls and hard-to-reach areas. This can lead to mold growth and water damage.

The Fix: Contact a professional water damage company within 24 hours of the initial flooding. Your water damage experts will be able to rapidly dry the space before any mold can grow. Any longer than 24 hours, and you are most likely looking at wet drywall. This fix requires cutting out a lot of drywall and a timely rebuilding process.

4. Poor Vapor Barriers/Dirt Soil

Mold issues in crawl spaces are caused by high humidity and moisture. The soil from the earth already provides the moisture. Consequently, homes with a dirt floor or poor vapor barriers are ripe spaces for mold growth and poor indoor air quality.

The Fix: Eliminating mold in a crawlspace doesn’t require any demolition, but is, however, still very tedious. It requires detailed HEPA vacuuming, spraying, and scrubbing wood in a very tight place. This may also lead to more work like encapsulating the crawl space, installing a sump pump, or insulating the inner walls.

Definition Of Mold Remediation

Mold Remediation Law and Legal Definition. The term mold remediation is defined as “the removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter that was not purposely grown at that location.” Tradewinds Envtl.

Mold Remediation Steps

Careful containment of the area to prevent spreading
Proper purifying of air and removal of all mold spores
Precise removal of impacted areas
Thorough vacuuming of contaminated areas with a commercial-grade vacuum equipped with a hepa filter.
Scrub mold with anti-microbial detergent and water solution
Apply an anti-microbial encapsulant to the affected area to prevent mold regrowth
Final HEPA vacuum and cleanup

*Please note: The average operation time for mold remediation is 3 hours from start to finish

Mold Cleaning Products

From the scrubbing tools and mold killer solutions, to the cleanup afterwards, there are a lot of mold removal products out there.

Some homemade remedies include combinations of water, detergent, bleach, borax, ammonia, anti-microbial, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and vinegar. Be careful when using these products as their original purpose wasn’t for cleaning mold. Use with caution as they can easily ruin your wood, carpet, and flooring if applied haphazardly.

Since black mold can be dangerous to those involved, for safer and better results, you can turn to the Fresh Air Technologies experts and the products they use. If you have black mold, be sure to give our experts a call at 704-270-2721 and we will schedule a black mold removal service.

Cost of Mold Removal in Charlotte

Mold can come in many different colors and sizes. It also has the ability to grow almost anywhere in your home. This includes particularly moist areas of your kitchen, bathroom, basement, or crawl space. All of these factors play a big role in the average cost of mold removal.

The average cost of mold remediation is $2,325, with most homeowners spending between $1,500-$3,150 or $15 to $31 per square foot. To help lessen the cost of mold removal, at the first sign of mold, be sure to give a technician a call.

Minimum Cost: $500
National Average Cost: $2,325
Average Range: $1,500 to $3,150

In some cases, moldremoval costs can skyrocket to tens of thousands of dollars if the mold has spread and the problem is severe. Mold mitigation costs vary depending on how much and where mold exists.

If mold is untreated for too long, you’ll most likely incur additional costs to help repair the damages caused by it. Damaged drywall, lumber, sub-flooring, and siding are the most common.

Crawl Space Mold FAQs

What areas of the home can mold all grow?

You may find mold in your ceiling tiles, dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, upholstery, and wood. It grows well in parts of your home with a lot of moisture. This includes leaks from your roof, windows, or pipes. Mold can grow almost anywhere in your home. However, it is most commonly found in damp unconditioned areas like basements, crawlspaces, and attics.

Is a 100% mold-free space possible?

No, Mold is ubiquitous. On any given day, the outside air can contain large amounts of airborne mold spores. The air inside your home or building is made up of this outside air. It makes sense that interior airborne mold levels inside fluctuates with the outdoor levels. This is why environmental professionals usually collect an outside air sample when conducting post remediation verification testing (PRV). When determining clearance, the outside air sample results are compared to the interior results. This formulates a baseline that the other indoor samples are compared to when determinizing clearance.

Are there health-risks associated with mold?

It is considered an allergen and one of the particulates that is monitored by local Allergy & Asthma Centers. The potential health concerns and symptoms related to mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and respiratory illness. Even if you are non-allergic, exposure to mold can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. For those who have existing asthma, lung conditions, or allergies, the presence of mold buildup will cause symptoms to worsen.

How does mold develop in an indoor environment?

Mold may permeate your home via open doorways, windows, heating and air conditioning systems, and vents. Airborne mold outside can also land on your clothing, shoes, and pets and be carried inside. Areas of the home or business that experience high humidity or flooding are high risk for mold growth.

About Fresh Air Technologies…

If you are looking for stellar Charlotte mold removal, The Fresh Air Companies’ experts certainly fit the bill. We devote as much as time as is necessary to complete mold removal in your home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Just be sure to call us for your free estimate. Our expert team is eager to help you as they have with their clients since being in business. Contact us for mold removal services today.

Fresh Air Technologies has been helping Charlotte area homeowners solve their Charlotte mold removal issues for over 20 years. Jay Lanzy, Principal Owner of FATech, was an Environmental Geologist with over 20 years of environmental consulting experience. Every mold removal project is carefully planned with written protocols prepared for every job. The health and safety of the homes’ occupants are of utmost importance to us. For professional, high-quality mold removal Charlotte services, please reach out to our team today by giving us a call at 704-270-2721.

Free Estimate