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Mold and other fungi love moisture, so the best way to prevent mold growth after water damage is to remove as much moisture as possible. First, find the source of the water or moisture, such as a leak or clogged gutters, and correct the problem. Next, remove standing water, vacuum up puddles with a shop vacuum, and run blower fans and dehumidifiers for 24 to 72 hours. Once you've removed all traces of moisture, disinfect the area using either vinegar or bleach to kill any remaining mold spores.

Ductwork sweats due to a temperature difference between the air inside the ducts and the surrounding air, similar to how a cold drink develops condensation in the heat. This sweating is a sign that your HVAC system is not operating at peak efficiency. The best way to keep ductwork from sweating is to wrap it in proper insulation, which also improves your system's energy efficiency. Another option is to close off your crawl space and install a dehumidifier to dry the air and lower its dew point.

If you set up a dehumidifier, it will usually dry out your wet crawl space within 12 to 24 hours. Once the space is dry, it’s a good idea to take preventative measures to keep it dry. These include installing a French drain or other exterior foundation drainage system, installing a sump pump in the crawl space, and installing a vapor barrier in addition to leaving the dehumidifier running.

A vapor barrier keeps moisture out of the crawl space, while insulation reduces the amount of unconditioned air—and sometimes moisture—that enters the space. Coupling a vapor barrier with insulation can help prevent humidity and related moisture damage in a crawl space while also making your home more energy-efficient. Just be sure to use insulation that won’t get damaged from moisture, like rigid foam board or expanding spray foam insulation.