A crawl space is a resource for any homeowner. It makes for easy access to some utility units and can even be used for storage. However, one of the little unknown uses for a crawl space can be its talent for polluting your home's indoor air quality. With an MO like that no one would want one. Thankfully, you can have all the benefits of a crawl space without the pollution.
Why It's A Problem
A crawl space can become a serious problem for a homeowner because of its ideal habitation for mold. This space can become very moist from the outdoor air conditions, the soil condition and any plumbing leaks. In this case, mold will be taking over the space if it has any wood, carpet, boxes, or other organic materials. Mold feeds on such materials and when it's damp it provides the perfect environment for mold growth.
If any of the above describes your crawl space, you need to know that whatever is there will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. The Center for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about half of the air on your first floor originated in your crawl space. This is one of the reasons that indoor air quality in homes is drastically declining when compared to outdoor air quality. In fact, the indoor air can be anywhere from 10 percent to 100 percent more polluted than the outdoor air!
You Don't Always See the Mold
But you sure can smell it-- MUST!
If you notice a musty smell in your home, then you have to do some investigation work. The must you smell is actually mold and you should definitely locate it and do more than wipe it away, you should remove the moisture source!
Many times mold can be found within insulation, behind boards and in those dark areas you don't always think to look. So if you have moisture or a musty smell you might have a mold problem. By hiring an expert, you'll have an expert who can detect the moisture problems and find the mold. Your crawl space will be repaired and your home's air quality will be improved.
Mold Can Make You Sick
The CDC claims that there are three common reactions to a moldy crawl space: allergies, asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Allergies: We all know when it's allergy sneezing. We feel the sneezes coming on and we have a stuffy and itchy nose; itchy and watery eyes; and an irritated nose, mouth or throat. When there's mold you can be sure to experience these symptoms of an allergic reaction. In fact, if you don't have an allergy to mold and inhale or touch it, you can develop a new allergy.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP): This is a lung inflammation that in some cases resembles allergies or pneumonia, but won't respond to antibiotics. A person with HP could experience shortness of breath, coughing, aching muscles, chills, fever, night sweats, and fatigue. They could feel this way for a few days and may even lose weight. If you feel your crawl space is causing HP then one way to test this is by staying over somewhere that you know has a healthy crawl space. Record how your symptoms change.
Asthma: This lung disease inflames the airways and restricts the lungs breathing. Wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath are common symptoms. Asthma can be controlled or removed once the moisture sources have been dealt with-- you'll feel a huge change!
The Solution
Crawl space encapsulation with a vapor barrier is an excellent way to separate the ground and outdoor elements from your crawl space-- and the rest of your home. In addition, you can also have a moisture reduction system installed, which can include a sump pump and a dehumidifier. By attacking the source of the moisture, the crawl space repair expert will have a much more successful cure for your moisture and mold problems.
Invest in crawl space repair and encapsulation today, to improve your crawl space's condition and enjoy a healthier home.
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