Job completed for Angela F
Completion date: May 22, 2025
Location: Chapel Hill, TN
Solutions provided:
The recommended solutions were designed to address the fungal growth, excess ground moisture, contaminated debris, and weakened subfloor conditions identified during the inspection. The work focuses on treating affected crawlspace surfaces, improving moisture control, removing contaminated materials, and providing additional structural support where needed. Fungal Growth Treatment and Disinfection A comprehensive fungal treatment was provided for the crawlspace areas where fungal growth was identified, including significant growth at the rear of the home and beneath the bathroom at the right end of the crawlspace.Bioesque Disinfectant and Envirowash were applied to exposed organic surfaces throughout the affected crawlspace.Treatment areas included the subfloor, floor joists, rim joists, sill plate, and other accessible organic surfaces where fungal or bacterial contamination may be present.The treatment was followed by hand and brush scrubbing of accessible organic surfaces to help physically remove organic growth and improve the effectiveness of the chemical treatment.The objective of the treatment was to chemically disinfect exposed surfaces and eliminate active bacterial and fungal growth.Because fungal growth can leave behind discoloration, some residual fungal staining may remain after treatment even though the exposed surfaces have been cleaned, disinfected, and treated.The area directly beneath the bathroom received an additional treatment using Shockwave to provide targeted chemical treatment in an area with significant fungal growth.Crawlspace Moisture Control A new 6-mil black polyethylene vapor barrier was provided as a solution for controlling ground vapor moisture entering the crawlspace.The vapor barrier was designed to cover the crawlspace ground surface and be properly fitted around walls and piers.The installation includes a 12-inch overlap to help create a secure and durable moisture barrier.This moisture-control measure is intended to reduce the amount of ground vapor entering the crawlspace and help create a less favorable environment for future organic growth.Controlling moisture is an important part of the overall solution because fungal and organic growth can reoccur when crawlspace humidity and moisture conditions remain elevated.Removal and Disposal of Contaminated or Damaged Debris Damaged, contaminated, or otherwise unsuitable debris within the crawlspace was addressed through removal and disposal.The debris was removed from the crawlspace and taken off the property for disposal at a commercial waste station.Removing affected debris helps eliminate potential sources of contamination and provides a cleaner environment for the remaining treatment and moisture-control measures.The removal also helps provide better access to affected crawlspace areas so that cleaning and treatment can be performed more effectively.Subfloor Support and Floor Repair Inspection findings indicated that portions of the subfloor were weak, particularly below the right-side bathroom and in the living room along the main girder.To address these conditions, supplemental support was recommended beneath the affected subfloor areas.The additional support is intended to reinforce the weakened portions of the floor system and provide improved support beneath areas showing signs of weakness.This solution helps address the structural concerns identified during the inspection rather than relying solely on surface-level repairs.Integrated Approach to the Crawlspace The recommended work combines fungal treatment, physical cleaning, debris removal, moisture control, and supplemental structural support.Each component addresses a different contributing condition identified during the inspection.The fungal treatment addresses existing microbial growth, while the vapor barrier helps reduce future ground moisture exposure.Debris removal eliminates damaged or contaminated materials, and supplemental support addresses areas where the subfloor was found to be weak.Together, these measures provide a more comprehensive approach to improving the condition and functionality of the crawlspace.Occupant Safety During Chemical Treatment Homeowners were advised not to be present in the home during the chemical cleaning and treatment process.Although environmentally friendly, peroxide-based products were used, individual reactions to cleaning chemicals and disturbed fungal growth can vary.Keeping occupants away from the treatment area during the cleaning process helps minimize potential exposure and allows the work to be completed safely and effectively.Overall, the solutions provided were intended to treat existing fungal growth, clean and disinfect affected crawlspace surfaces, reduce ground vapor moisture, remove contaminated debris, and reinforce weakened subfloor areas. The combination of these measures addresses both the current conditions observed during the inspection and several contributing factors that could otherwise allow moisture-related and organic growth issues to return.
Team members on this project:
Matt Behling, Crescencio Omana, Bryant Roberts
