Why Ignoring Insulation Removal Hampers Effective Mold Treatment: Insights from Crawl Space Ninja

Why do some contractors leave insulation in place when addressing mold, and is it the right approach? Join us as Michael Church from Crawl Space Ninja breaks down this common yet misleading practice. You'll learn why removing insulation is crucial for effective mold treatment and how cutting corners might threaten the health of your crawl space. Michael insists that proper mold remediation begins with removing the old insulation to ensure mold cleaners or soda blasting can reach every part of the floor joists, not just the visible tips. This episode offers vital insights for homeowners looking to truly address mold issues, not just mask them.

In this episode, Michael Church provides actionable advice for combating high humidity and mold in crawl spaces. He emphasizes the need to remove existing insulation, clean thoroughly, and apply a preventative like x70 before thinking about reinstalling insulation. Michael's expert advice ensures that you won't fall for budget-focused contractors who skip essential steps. If you're dealing with mold or planning to hire a contractor, this episode is a must-listen for ensuring a healthy, mold-free home environment. Don't miss Michael's practical tips for maintaining your crawl space and protecting your home.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 0 (00:00):
Michael Church Crawl Space Ninja, continuing that
misconception series.
Today I want to talk about whydo contractors leave the
insulation in place wheneverthey're addressing mold.
Is that a good idea or is thatsomething they shouldn't be
doing?
Many crawl space encapsulationcontractors don't really address
mold or don't know how toaddress mold properly.

(00:21):
So what they do is they focuson the budgetary side of
addressing mold to makethemselves look better on a
quote.
So what they do is they focuson the budgetary side of
addressing mold to makethemselves look better on a
quote.
So if their quote is $3,000less because they're talking
about treating the mold withoutproperly treating the mold, then
they feel like they're going towin you over and get you to
hire them.
But is it worth spending themoney to encapsulate the crawl

(00:42):
space and not properlyaddressing the mold?
One of the ways that contractorscut corners when it comes to
addressing mold properly is theywill actually leave the
fiberglass or the rock woolinsulation between the joists
and just spray the tips of thejoists with a mold cleaner.
If you think about it, howeffective is that?

(01:02):
That's like leaving yourdrywall up and then trying to
treat the mold behind thedrywall.
It doesn't work.
Having insulation in place isnot going to allow that cleaner
or that soda blasting to getaccess to the entire subfloor
and the other parts of thatfloor joist, floor joists.

(01:26):
So what we recommend you do, ifyou have high humidity, wet wood
and the evidence of mold growthon those joists, remove the
insulation.
Don't reuse it, remove it,dispose of it, soda blast it if
you got the ability to do that,but try to physically remove the
mold.
If you're worried about budget,then maybe spray it, but we
certainly encourage you toremove it.
Then spray it and then apply apreventative like x70 and then

(01:49):
insulate the foundation wall oryou can put fiberglass back
after all those other thingshave been done.
But don't leave the subfloorinsulation in place when trying
to address the mold, becauseyou're only going to be able to
address the tips of the joist,which isn't going to be very
effective.
I'm Michael Church crawl space.
Ninja, we hope you make it ahappy and blessed day and we'll
see you later.