Author Topic: DIY Crawl Space Mold Treatment  (Read 2306 times)

EngiNerd

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DIY Crawl Space Mold Treatment
« on: February 26, 2016, 04:52:46 AM »
My termite inspection company, under contract not sure if that's worth the $ or not but that's another post, discovered mold in my 1300 sq ft crawl space.  It is whitish in color, pretty well covers one joist and is spotty over an additional 300-400 sq ft.  The wood is still solid but as I understand as the mold/fungus grows it will cause dry rot.  They quoted me $500 to treat the entire crawl space with boracare plus.  Apparently you have to treat the entire area or else the mold just relocates.   It looks like one gallon will treat roughly my entire crawl space and I can have that for $100.  Plus a the cost of pump sprayer.  However, I saw on a few web sites that people simply mix borax, like 20 mule borax, with water and or vinegar to treat mold. 

Then of course are the health concerns.  Do I really want to be crawling around in the crawl space spraying and possibly scrubbing mold getting spores in the air.  Is a dust mask enough?  Do I need some sort of regulator?   Or is this a situation where spending money on "professionals" the more prudent decision?

I tend to think health concerns of mold are overstated.  And I enjoy diy yourself projects like this, where it is simply dirty work not skilled labor where my inexperience can greatly effect the finished product.  But I was hoping some on this forum would have more knowledge and experience that could give me some advice and or tips on treating it.  Thanks!

Fishindude

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Re: DIY Crawl Space Mold Treatment
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2016, 05:15:20 AM »
Best thing you can do to eliminate mold is get that space dried out and get some air moving in there.

lthenderson

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Re: DIY Crawl Space Mold Treatment
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2016, 03:45:20 PM »
I tend to think health concerns of mold are overstated.

BINGO! Just make up some home solution to kill and remove the mold. I usually wear a mask though it is mostly long term exposure to specific types of mold that has caused all the hoop-la. Once you kill the mold and remove the moisture problem causing the mold, you don't have any worries about it "relocating".

EngiNerd

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Re: DIY Crawl Space Mold Treatment
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2016, 07:04:23 PM »
Best thing you can do to eliminate mold is get that space dried out and get some air moving in there.

I have 6 vents, basically cinder blocks with screens, which the guys said was good ventilation relatively.  I don't know why it's so moist, I don't have vapor barriers but then again the house is 110 years old.  I figured if it made it this long without them do I need to put some in.

Thanks for the encouragement Ithenderson.  I'll tackle it this weekend!