I hope you are enjoying our lovely Middle Tennessee spring. We all know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” In Middle Tennessee, where April is traditionally a wet month, it’s especially true. But did you know they bring mold, too? Bolstered by all that moisture, mold that accumulated in our homes last year will now be in full bloom.
Mold Issues In HVAC
We have seen many people with mold issues in their HVAC systems, as well as mold growth inside closets and cabinets. Last year, we had 90 days in a row of 90% relative humidity; our HVAC systems can’t keep up with that much dehumidification. The key to fighting mold growth and damage inside a house is very simple: control moisture in all its forms.
Keeping the Crawlspace Dry: Mold Prevention
Most people don’t realize that crawlspace vents are EVIL. What would you say if I asked you to open all your doors and windows in the middle of August to cool and dehumidify the air inside your house? You might say, that is a ridiculous suggestion – and you would be right! By leaving your crawlspace vents open in the summer you are allowing all that wet, humid, Middle Tennessee air (90 degrees +) to mix with the cool damp crawlspace air (65 degrees). Watch the Weather Channel sometime and see what happens when 90-degree air hits 65-degree air in a weather pattern. The result is one heck of a storm. That’s what’s going on in your crawlspace: a mini weather front. In some cases, it can be so damp that water droplets form on surfaces (i.e. floor joists, insulation, ductwork) to such an extent that it’s “raining” in a crawlspace. To reduce the risk of mold and water damage, keep your home’s crawlspace as dry as possible.
Water Damage Repair
Stack Effect of Air Movement Into and Out of Your Home
There is a natural occurring phenomenon known as STACK EFFECT. This allows the air from the crawlspace to seep into the upstairs, bringing with it mold and humidity. Penetrations in the subfloor under cabinets and closets (i.e. plumbing and electrical) can give mold easy access to those areas and can also make the air in your home feel damp and smell musty.
Keeping the crawlspace dry has a major impact on the house. All forms of moisture must be controlled, including physical water, evaporated water and the high relative humidity which we mentioned earlier. Closing crawlspace vents is a good first step. Next, eliminate ground water (physical water) in the crawlspace and stop evaporated water from entering the space. Climatically controlling the air in the crawlspace once you have stopped all these forms of moisture from entering is paramount to your success in keeping your home dry and preventing mold growth from occurring.
Mold Man’s Conclusion
If you or anyone you know has any questions regarding moisture control and/or mold inside their house, please do not hesitate to call “The Mold Man” at 615.832.5300. We offer free estimates inside the 840 loop to the south and 20 miles north of our office near the Fairgrounds Nashville.
Remember, you have a choice. Blue Chip Restoration Inc., is a fully licensed and insured restoration and remediation company specializing in Water/Floor Damage, Fire Restoration, Storm Damage and is the leading Mold Remediation company in Middle Tennessee.