Mold growth is common in a humid and damp climate, such as Charlotte. If you have lived here for long, it won’t be uncommon for you to find molds throughout your house, especially in dark areas, such as crawl spaces and floor joists. Basements, cabinets, and underneath of carpets also are few other common places where molds can grow. If molds from these areas are not treated regularly and in time, they can grow big and create a problem that has to be removed only by professionals.

Molds in crawlspaces in Charlotte city is a very common and frequent problem. While you can take care of it yourself, provided the growth has spread over a small area only and not eating away the wood, a licensed mold damage remediation company must address highly contaminated and large areas. Therefore, the best course of action is cleaning and sanitizing the mold spores at the earlier stages.

Unless it is contaminated, you can remove the mold from a wood joist in crawl spaces by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Clear the Area and Ventilate

The first step should be ventilating the area and throwing some light so that any live spores die. Remove all the items around the area and check if the mold has affected the wood.

Step 2: Make a DIY Mold Cleanser

You can either buy a readymade mold cleaning solution from a store or make your own DIY mold cleanser. All you would need is original vinegar and water. In a spray bottle, add two parts of white vinegar or one part of liquid bleach and ten portions of water. Mix the solution until both ingredients dissolve into one.

Step 3: Protect Yourself

Before starting the procedure, cover your eyes, skin, and nose from the mold spores. Since molds can cause an allergic reaction, taking protection will be a good idea. Also, make sure that the gears you wear are disposable or washable. Use a ladder to reach the higher levels of joists of your basement.

Step 4: Apply the Spray

Spray the solution all over the surface generously covering every inch of the mold development. Apply from a distance of 5 to 10 centimeters and not from too far for maximum effectiveness. When spraying on higher levels of joists, keep your face away to prevent the solution from dripping all over your face.

Step 5: Clean the Surface

Let the solution absorb for 10 – 15 minutes or until dry. By this time the molds spores will be dead. Now, with the help of a stiff-bristled brush, scrape the mold from the surface. Make sure you place newspaper or plastic sheets to collect the scrapped mold. If the mold development is tough, you have to repeat the procedure several times until everything clears out.
After the cleansing procedure, spray the solution one more time and let it dry naturally. Do not remove the solution after this. This will prevent further development of mold growth and kill if any live ones linger.

Step 6: Additional Care

Floor joist crawlspaces can be dark and hard to reach. You need more light to detect and clean the area. If you aren’t able to do the work alone because of dim lights, ask someone to hold an extra light for you. It will be easier for you to clean if you have someone to direct the source of light. Make sure the area is well ventilated and airy to boost the drying process.

The procedure may take two to three days, depending upon the severity to get rid of the mold completely. With a store brought mold solution, you will be able to minimize the effort and time taken. However, an expert mold damage restoration company will do the work far more professionally, efficiently and easily.