Crawl space and attic mold in Central Arkansas

The two places mold most often hides in a Little Rock-area house are the spaces nobody goes: the crawl space under the floor and the attic above the ceiling.

Crawl spaces

A traditional vented crawl space lets outside air in under the house. In a Central Arkansas summer that air is hot and humid. When it hits the cooler ground, floor framing, and air-conditioned ductwork, moisture condenses — and wood that stays damp grows mold. Bare dirt floors add even more moisture from the ground.

Warning signs

• A musty smell inside the house, especially in summer or after rain.
• White, gray, or black fuzzy growth or staining on joists and subfloor.
• Insulation sagging or falling down between floor joists.
• Standing water or wet soil after storms.
• Sweating ductwork or condensation dripping from pipes.
• Soft or cupping wood floors above.

Usual fixes

• Fixing drainage: gutters, downspouts, and grading so rainwater runs away from the foundation.
• Removing and cleaning mold from framing.
• Replacing wet or moldy insulation.
• A ground vapor barrier, and in many cases sealing ("encapsulating") the crawl space and controlling humidity with a dehumidifier.
• Repairing plumbing and duct leaks.

Encapsulation is a bigger project than a cleanup. Ask how the contractor will control humidity once the vents are closed, and what maintenance the dehumidifier needs.

Attics

Attic mold usually shows up as dark staining on the underside of roof sheathing. Common causes:

• Bath or kitchen exhaust fans venting into the attic instead of outside.
• Blocked soffit vents or not enough ventilation.
• Roof leaks around flashing, vents, and chimneys — check after hail and wind storms.
• Gaps in the ceiling letting warm, moist house air up into the attic.

As with crawl spaces, cleaning the wood without fixing the airflow or leak is a temporary fix.