How to Get a Free Mold Inspection in North Carolina

Everyone deserves a safe and healthy place to call home, but a hidden threat can quickly rob you of that security: mold.

Mold in house areas you don’t see much, including your crawl space, can quickly grow out of control and endanger your family’s well-being and your home’s structural integrity.

Discovering mold may not come as a total shock to North Carolina homeowners, but it’s time to change that norm and improve living conditions throughout the Tar Heel State. Learn more about the signs of mold and how to address the problem with a free mold inspection.

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Mold in Crawl Space Areas: Why It Happens

Even though basement mold is a widespread problem, basements are not as common in southern areas like North Carolina because of the shallow frost line and flooding tendencies from heavy rain and hurricane events.

wet crawl space with open vents and mold

While crawl spaces are the more popular foundation choice, they are inherently damp and fraught with other problems.

These issues include open vents that allow outside air and water into the space, exposed dirt floors that allow groundwater percolation, and the use of non-moisture-resistant materials like soft fiberglass insulation.

Mold grows in crawl spaces with high humidity levels (above 55%), the presence of water due to leaks or seepage, and organic material like wood used for support posts and floor joists. This fungus also loves dark, dingy, secluded areas like your crawl space where it can thrive undisturbed.

Mold in House Areas: A Silent Traveler

While mold prefers damp crawl spaces, it won’t necessarily stick to this one area of your home. Mold spores can hitch a ride with upward-moving air and infiltrate your living space because of the stack effect. It can begin to grow on various surfaces and make itself known through sight, smell, and touch.

Signs of Mold in Your House

You’ll likely notice these symptoms indicating mold growth in your home:

Health Issues: Recurring headaches and unexpected allergic reactions
Olfactory Warning: Persistent musty odors
Surface Damage: Paint and wallpaper peeling, bubbling, or showing discoloration
Visual Clues: Stains or color changes on walls, floors, and furniture

Speaking to the latter points, you may wonder “What does mold look like?” Mold appears in many colors: white, yellow, pink, green, brown, and black. Its texture can be fuzzy, velvety, slimy, or powdery.

In the right conditions (that we mentioned earlier), mold grows on or behind walls, drywall, insulation, wood flooring and fixtures, cardboard, paper, and fabric (including carpet and other furnishings).

Common Types of Mold

Thousands of molds exist, both outdoors and indoors. However, we highlighted a few of the most common types in our article, “Protect Your Home From These Dangerous Types of Mold,” including:

Cladosporium
Alternaria
Penicillium
Aspergillus
Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold)

Most of these varieties impact air quality but are not health hazards, with the exception of one of them. Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as black mold, is highly toxic to many people. Let’s take a deeper look.

Black Mold 101

Black mold appears as dark black or greenish patches, ranging from small, clustered spots to extensive surface coverage. This toxic fungus primarily develops in consistently damp environments or areas with flood damage

Particularly hazardous for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, and those with compromised immune systems, black mold exposure can trigger:

Respiratory distress
Eye inflammation
Skin reactions

Recurrent headaches
Unexplained exhaustion
Persistent coughing

Early detection, thorough removal, and proactive prevention are critical for maintaining a safe and healthy home.

How To Get Rid of Mold

DIY mold treatments like bleach, vinegar, or dish soap provide only temporary solutions and can expose you to harmful toxins. The key to mold elimination is moisture control.

A comprehensive crawl space moisture management system should include:

crew installing a dehumidifier in an encapsulated crawl space

Sealed crawl space vents
Interior drainage systems
Sump pump installation
Moisture-blocking vapor barriers
Insulation panels resistant to moisture and mold
Dehumidification equipment

These targeted solutions address the root cause of mold growth, preventing recurrence and protecting your home’s structural integrity and indoor air quality.

Get a Free Mold Inspection In North Carolina Today!

North Carolina’s humid climate makes homes vulnerable to mold growth, particularly in crawl spaces. While common, mold in crawl space areas isn’t normal and poses health risks. The solution? Effective moisture control.

Tar Heel Basement Systems brings 20+ years of moisture management expertise to North Carolina homes. Our specialists can identify existing mold issues, prevent future growth, and create custom waterproofing solutions. Contact us now for a free mold inspection and personalized plan to protect your family’s health and home.

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Mold in Home FAQs

Can I dry and reuse wet crawl space insulation?

Reusing wet fiberglass insulation is not advisable as it loses insulation efficiency and may harbor mold. Tar Heel Basement Systems installs durable, water and mold-resistant rigid insulation panels. Contact us for a no-cost inspection and repair estimate.

Is it beneficial to have regular crawl space inspections to prevent mold?

Absolutely, regular inspections of your crawl space are crucial. They help in spotting potential problems early, preventing them from escalating into major mold infestations or other serious issues. Once Tar Heel Basement Systems has encapsulated your crawl space, you can take advantage of our yearly maintenance programs. We conduct annual checks to ensure the continued protection and safety of your crawl space. To find out more and arrange a free inspection, get in touch with us.

Does crawl space encapsulation cause mold?

Crawl space encapsulation does not cause mold. In fact, encapsulation helps prevent mold. The repair process includes moisture control and prevention, along with implementing a dehumidifier, sump pump, and other equipment to keep the area clean and dry. These measures deter crawl space moisture and eliminate mold and mildew problems.

Related Resources

6 Things to Know About Crawl Space Mold

You know that a moldy home is unsafe, but why? What molds do you need to keep an eye out for, and how can you protect your home?

Protect Your Home From These Dangerous Types of Mold

The best way to protect your home and your family from toxic mold is to reduce moisture build up throughout your home.

Will Bleach Kill Mold in My Crawl Space?

Bleach is powerful, but so is mold. Is this chemical any match for toxic growth? Learn if bleach kills mold in a crawl space.

How to Remove and Prevent Crawl Space Mold

The crawl space is prone to moisture related issues, including mold growth. Learn more.

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.