advice on mold growth under the house after water leak

[RobertL]

I wonder if anyone can advise me on what to do, if anyhting, about mold under the house (white stuff looking like a think layer of cotton wool).

There was an undetected water leak under the house for several weeks. By the time I investigated there was a small lake under there. Anyway, I fixed the leak (it was the drain from dishwasher and sink) and allowed the ground to dry out.

Now, a couple of months later, I find there is a fine white mold gorwing over the surface of the earth under there. it is on the ground only, the joists (about 20" above the ground) are not affected.

The advice seems to be that once the earth has dried out the mold will die (or at least go dormant). I don't really want to pour chemicals on it as I crawl/slither around under there sometimes to instal cables.

Is it really enough just to let it dry out?

thanks,

Robert

[stuart noble]

Could just be salts from the water rather than mould.

[RobertL]

Thanks fort he suggestion, but I'm afraid it is mold. there are white threats spreading about across the surface and about 1cm above it. Also a few clumps of what looks like brown pubic hair, but is actually also a mold.

Robert

[mail]

Dear Robert

If it is mould as it appears to be - there must be a source of nutrient. Check for chips of timber etc and remove. Absent any timber the mould will not be likely to be serious and you should not worry about it IF your subfloor ventilation is ok Keep it under observation and make sure it does not get near the timbers just in case Chris

[RobertL]

The nutrients probably came from the water that leaked in the first place. it was from the kitchen sink and dishwasher so would have contained food particles. Perhasps I should scrape off the top layer of earth and bin it.

Ventilation is good down there. Plenty of airbricks.

Thanks for your help Stuart and Chris Robert