How to Prevent Fungus in Your Crawl Space
A crawl space is an area underneath the house in which a person cannot stand to full height. Sometimes the crawl space can be only about a foot high. They usually have dirt floors, exposed pipes and insulation, and a vent on the outside wall to help rid the area of any moisture. Unfortunately, these vents often increase the humidity in the area, promoting the growth of fungus and mold. In order to prevent this, you must seal your crawl space and take some other precautions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check for leaks into your crawl space after a heavy rain. Look for the source of the leak in the foundation and repair any cracks. Applying a foundation waterproofing agent may also help. Examine gutters and the drainage system around your home, making sure water drains away from the house instead of toward it.
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Remove any wet materials in the crawl space. Cover the dirt floor with 6 mm plastic sheeting to prevent water vapor from coming up through the floor. Use duct tape to tape the edges together. Run the sheeting about 6 inches up the wall and secure it there as well with tape.
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Cover any exposed crawl space walls with waterproof insulation. This is a rigid insulation with a watervapor proof barrier on the outside. Install according to manufacturer's directions. Cover any corners with duct tape to create a good seal.
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Lay another layer of the 6 mm plastic over the installed insulation. Overlap any corners or edges by at least 6 inches. Tape all the edges down to create a seal.
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Tips & Warnings
If you must remove any old, wet insulation, be careful to wear protective respiratory devices as the insulation may already be infected with mold or mildew.
