The homeowners had a water leak. What is the potential for growing mold in this area?
Hide Materials that are exposed to a constant leak or have been soaked and not dried thoroughly can support mold growth. Some molds can form a new colony in one or two days on damp materials. Additionally, molds do not require light, and growth can continue indefinitely without light (2). • What about moisture in the crawl space? Answer Hide A definitive answer about moisture problems in the crawl space does not exist. A symposium on the subject held by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (14) produced the following recommendations: • There should be proper drainage, clearance and access. • Crawl spaces should have ground covers for moisture control. These should be installed carefully to limit evaporation from the soil. • Heated crawl spaces should not be vented with outdoor air. • Unheated crawl spaces may be vented, but there is no overriding need to do so for reasons of moisture control if an effective ground cover is present. (Note: Check
