I had a bit of a disaster when the main water line from my well broke at a plastic fitting while I was at work. I fixed the line with a brass fitting, but I ended up with about 4-6 inches of water in my crawlspace. I've cleaned up most of the water, and I'm planning to wipe everything down with several towels. I've also set up a dehumidifier that's connected to my sump pump. What else can I do to prevent mold growth, or should I just let everything dry out?
3 Answers
You've got a good start! Consider treating the exposed joists and flooring with a borathor treatment. Grab some bora-care and a pump sprayer, and follow the directions. It’s a wood preservative that can stop wood-destroying fungus and pests. Definitely worth it!
This could be a good chance to invest in a whole-house dehumidifier, like a Santa Fe or Aprilaire. I have one in my encapsulated crawlspace, and it keeps humidity at around 50% year-round. Those standard upright dehumidifiers don't circulate air well enough in a space that size. If you hired a pro, they’d probably recommend the same. It’s a bummer to deal with, but at least you’ve started the cleanup!
It sounds like you’re on the right track! I’d recommend running some air movers in the crawlspace for a few days to help with drying. It should really help speed up the process!
I’ve got a 1400 sq ft crawlspace myself, and I set up a fan to push air towards my dehumidifier. It's running through my phone, and the humidity is now about 66%. I'll see how well it holds up since my foundation is insulated and there’s ventilation to the air handler.