The Best Solution for Moisture in Your Crawl Space
It's quite common for homeowners to have questions concerning the effects that mold and mildew can have on their home and health. In fact, there tends to be one common question amongst these homeowners, "Is it possible for mold to grow in the crawl space under my home?"
Can Mold Grow in Your Crawl Space?
Most crawl spaces tend to be dark, damp and wet and/or moist, making the crawl space beneath your home the perfect location for mold and mildew to grow at a rapid speed. Mold only needs moisture and inorganic material in order to grow, and these very conditions can be found in the crawl space.
Although it's quite a task to try to control the moisture in the crawl space beneath your home, it becomes a necessity when even the slightest sign of moisture can create a high likelihood of mold growth.
Controlling the Moisture
The key to preventing a moldy crawl space is finding and controlling the source of all moisture problems. Unfortunately, some homeowners attempt these not-so helpful methods.
First, homeowners will try ventilating the crawl space, a method that often leads to opening windows. In doing so, the unconditioned air from the outside adds humidity and moisture into the crawl space. In this method, identifying and eliminating the source is never truly accomplished.
Others suggest covering the entire crawl space with gravel or another porous material. However, these procedures tend to attract more moisture, causing additional problems. Others choose to use a dehumidifier to draw water out of the crawl space and replace it with clean, dry air.
Using a dehumidifier is a step in the right direction and can become even more beneficial working alongside a vapor barrier.
How Crawl Space Air Affects Your Home
Since warm air rises, there's a great chance that the air in the crawl space beneath your home will rise into the upper levels of your home. This means that the crawl space air, which can contain spores and other dangerous toxins, could contaminate the air you're breathing. These toxins can be bad for your health and for your home's condition. In fact, it's been estimated that half of the air being breathed on the first level of a home actually comes from the crawl space.
If your crawl space's moldy air travels upstairs, you could be exposed to some serious health effects. Mold has a greater effect on children and those suffering from asthma, with the most common effect being an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Some of the most common symptoms of mold exposure come in the form of common allergic reactions and various other irritations. Although the symptoms will vary from person to person, these are the most common symptoms seen in children and adults that are exposed to mold:
Nasal congestion
Sinus pressure
Eye irritation; red, itchy, watery eyes
Respiratory problems
Difficulty breathing
Throat irritation
Frequent headaches
Dry Cough
Skin irritation; itchy, dry skin, resulting in a rash on the skin
The Vapor Barrier Solution
A vapor barrier is simply a waterproof lining. By covering the soil or concrete on the surface of the crawl space, it prevents stale air from entering the crawl space and seeping into your living space. Installing a vapor barrier will also prevent that musty odor from entering your home because where there's mold there's must!
If you have questions or concerns about your crawl space, it's best to contact a professional mold removal contractor who can inspect your crawl space, evaluate the situation and give you his professional opinion. He'll try his best to meet your individual needs and to help protect you, your family and your home.
Contact Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas today for a free estimate to eliminate the mold in a crawl space in Arkansas!
