Is this mold in my Crawl Space? **PICS**

[Amadore]

Hello,

I was just under my house in the crawl space installing a surround sound system...when I noticed that the very far corner had some black on the wood. I am terrfied that it is mold. Is it? Also, if it is, I was under the house for 2 hours in a tshirt and shorts...could I become ill? Any Ideas how much it would cost to fix?

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Thanks,

[Bill Kibbel]

I see mold in crawlspaces almost daily. I'm never terrified because I don't fall for the recent hype about mold. I tend to have more faith in legitimate medical research, rather than the hysteria generated by the media and those who profit from testing/remediating/litigating mold issues.

I would be concerned that either too much moisture in the crawlspace is condensing in that area, or water is entering the wall assembly above.

[Amadore]

Do you think that it is likely mold? Also, I now have plasit covering the entire crawl space, and a sump pump. Home 9 years old. Will the plastic and pump be enough or should I have this looked at by a professional?

Thanks again for the help on this,

[kurt]

It's really quite simple. Virtually every house with a crawl space will have mold present, even if you can't see it. It's inevitable.

You need to identify the moisture source that is allowing the mold to grow. Bill identified the two most likely locations for moisture.

Putting up plastic sheeting and installing a pump isn't necessarily going to get you anything.

Having a "professional" look at it can go every which way, including recommendations for removal which can result in tens of thousands of dollars in mold removal fees for mold that's going to come back because it's a crawlspace and there's a moisture source.

Couple things........

1) Don't panic. Every crawlspace has mold somewhere.

2) Figure out where the moisture is coming from that's allowing the mold to grow.

3) Eliminate the moisture source. This doesn't have to be complicated, but sometimes it can be.

4) Clean up what you can.

5) Seal spaces between the house and the crawlspace. Research in NC has shown that homes with crawl spaces have significantly higher indoor fungal loads than houses on slabs. I would concentrate more on eliminating air pathways between the house and the crawl space than I would trying to eliminate mold in a crawl space. I would also make certain the house is under positive pressure in relationship to the crawl space when HVAC equipment is running.

You're not going to ever completely eliminate mold from the crawl space, the only thing you can do is try and keep it out of the house.

[Mike Lamb]

Amadore,

Read and take seriously what the others have posted.

The fact that you use the word, "terrified," and mold in the same sentence leads me to believe you are seriously misinformed re: mold. This is certainly no fault of yours. You are not alone. Please read the following.

Below is some info I gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s web site (10/6/08) http://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm#Q1. and some other credible sources that say your fears are ill founded.

I heard about "toxic molds" that grow in homes and other buildings. Should I be concerned about a serious health risk to me and my family?

The term "toxic mold" is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. There is always a little mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven. A common-sense approach should be used for any mold contamination existing inside buildings and homes. The common health concerns from molds include hay fever-like allergic symptoms. Certain individuals with chronic respiratory disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma) may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression may be at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment. For the most part, one should take routine measures to prevent mold growth in the home.

I found mold growing in my home, how do I test the mold?

Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds. Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of diseases most often associated with molds. Since the susceptibility of individuals can vary greatly either because of the amount or type of mold, sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining your health risk. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal. Furthermore, reliable sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable or tolerable quantity of mold have not been established.

The following is taken from: http://www.uschamber.com/NR/rdonlyres/e ... r_mold.pdf

“…the notion that “toxic moldâ€

[hausdok]

Hello,

I am terrified that it is mold. Is it? Also, if it is, I was under the house for 2 hours in a tshirt and shorts...could I become ill? Any Ideas how much it would cost to fix?

Jeez Louise! Ever had a penicillin shot?

There's no such thing as "toxic" mold. There is mold fungi and for those out there that are allergic to it it is toxic; just like peanuts are "toxic" to those who are allergic to them. The "toxic mold threat" is a media invention. Please don't let yourself be spooked by journalists looking for a "scoop" and nutcases pushing junk science.

You need to know something. Every single breath that you take, you inhale some mold spore. I swear, sometimes I think that if mold were 1/1000 as "toxic" as the media likes to make out, every one of us would be walking around with one of those oxygen bottles and a little clear rubber masks permanently stuck to our noses.

Follow the EPA guidelines for cleaning the stuff up and go on with your life.

You were in a crawlspace; well, if you weren't wearing breathing protection, depending on where you live and the number of deer mice in your area, you probably have more chance of coming down with Hanta Virus than getting sick from exposure to less mold than you'd find on old lettuce at the grocery market.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[John Dirks Jr]

Follow the EPA guidelines for cleaning the stuff up and go on with your life.

Amen

[Richard Moore]

...just like peanuts are "toxic" to those who are allergic to them.

Coming soon: Online Peanut Detection Course. Become a Certified Peanut Inspector and Remediation Specialist for only $299*. Only an elite CPIRS can rid your clients' homes of the hazards of peanuts. Our motto..."You got 'em, we'll eat 'em". Be among the first to make thousands a day while skipping lunch.

*$499 for Certfied Master Peanut Inspector (includes top hat, cane and monocle).

[Phillip]

...just like peanuts are "toxic" to those who are allergic to them.

Coming soon: Online Peanut Detection Course. Become a Certified Peanut Inspector and Remediation Specialist for only $299*. Only an elite CPIRS can rid your clients' homes of the hazards of peanuts. Our motto..."You got 'em, we'll eat 'em". Be among the first to make thousands a day while skipping lunch.

*$499 for Certfied Master Peanut Inspector (includes top hat, cane and monocle).

ROFLMAO[:-bigmout

[Scottpat]

Do what Kurt has listed.

I would be more concerned about the source of the moisture that is causing the problem.

[mainecleaners]

Your crawl space looks relatively good, but there could be some mold present. Venting crawl spaces often are the culprit for mold - many people don't realize this.

Crawl Space Venting Often Causes Condensation, Mold Growth, Poor Indoor Air Quality and Higher Energy Bills.

I would have a local expert come take a look to be sure. Good luck!

[tim5055]

Coming soon: Online Peanut Detection Course. Become a Certified Peanut Inspector and Remediation Specialist for only $299*. Only an elite CPIRS can rid your clients' homes of the hazards of peanuts. Our motto..."You got 'em, we'll eat 'em". Be among the first to make thousands a day while skipping lunch.

*$499 for Certfied Master Peanut Inspector (includes top hat, cane and monocle).

As a homeowner who enjoys reading this forum I try just to keep quiet and stay in the background, but this reminded me of something...

The wife & I were camping in a national forest campground sitting next to a campfire enjoying a bag of peanuts. Up walks a woman who started comparing us to some of the worlds historical louts, why - because some folks were allergic to peanuts and they may camp at this site after we leave[:-censore Come on, get real we are in the woods!

Some folks just need to understand it's a big bad world out there and you are responsible to take care of yourself.

[n/a19]

This thread is a couple of years old so I'm sure the OP has had the mold remediated. Jerry its thinking like that, that causes people to think mold isn't a health hazard. Mold is a toxic substance, exposed long enough even the most healthy person can be effected by it. It won't take long for the mold spores and mycotoxins to become air born get in the hvac and spread throughout the entire house contaminating everything. Some people myself are hypersensitive to mold due to a prolonged exposure, just like any other allergen once exposed it doesn't take long before the immune system to fight the invader and start a cascade of health problems so much so that the body starts to attack itself.

[hausdok]

Got news for you, Bub,

You've been exposed to mold every day of your life, since the day you were held upside down in a delivery room and a nurse slapped you on your ass. I believe you are allergic to it, lots of folks are allergic to lots of things. I'm not allergic to strawberries or to rhubarb but if I eat a strawberry rhubarb pie it will kill me. Go figure.

The fact you are hypersensitive to it has nothing to do with "prolonged" exposure. If it did, you would have died long ago; so wouldn't have all the rest of us.

Now, hypochondria, that's real. People make themselves sick all the time fretting about stuff. Remove the frett and they suddenly get healthy again. Who'd a thunk it?

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike