We at Barrier Waterproofing Systems are hoping you and your families remain safe during this time as we all join together across the country to make a difference where we can.
Perhaps your family is enjoying spending some newfound time together or buckling down on bettering a situation in your lives. Whatever the case may be, it is probably safe to say you don’t want to be going through this quarantine feeling sick.
While the Coronavirus may be shut out of your doors while you are safe inside, there is another host of things in your home that can cause you to feel ill. Chances are, you may or may not know about these things at all.
One perpetrator in particular that we remove from homes all across Middle Tennessee is crawl space mold. These fungi can find all kinds of places to grow all around our living spaces. Let’s take a quick look at how crawl space mold can negatively impact our health, aside from that unpleasant odor it can often give off.
Mold can cause hay fever-type symptoms like the following:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Irritated throat
- Rashy skin
- An allergic reaction is also possible
So, needless to say, this list is quite undesirable to be feeling as you are trying to relax on the couch or get some much needed renovating done. This is especially true for something that can be removed easily enough with the right procedures.
Some things you can do to help prevent mold growth in your home include eliminating sources of dampness, utilizing a dehumidifying system or air purification system in the home, and increasing ventilation in areas of the home that are subject to a higher concentration of moisture.
Now, it is very important here to understand moisture intrusion in your home and its direct correlation with crawl space mold and mildew growth. Using the above techniques will help the most in rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. Here at BARRIER, however, we concentrate on educating and remediating certain areas. These areas can easily become the most significant source of moisture intrusion if not previously and properly encapsulated.
We are talking about your crawl space. If not properly taken care of, mold and mildew (along with a whole slew of other problems!) can accumulate in that space below your floors. Did you know that whatever trouble is brewing there can contaminate the air you breathe in your living rooms and bedrooms? If it has not been previously sealed off, you might be coming in contact with these spores.
An unencapsulated, poorly managed crawl space can collect moisture from the outside air and soil beneath the home in copious amounts. This sometimes creates the pooling of some very significant puddles! This very moisture breeds the amount and types of mold spores that get right to work on the exposed wooden structures of your home they can find.
Wood rot can set in and the floor joists will become weakened and deteriorate, spelling trouble for the stability of your home’s structure. Another direct consequence is that the crawl space mold can communicate directly with the air that circulates through the common areas of your home. It can affect up to as much as 50% of it, amazing!
If your home has a crawl space and has or has not been previously encapsulated, give Barrier Waterproofing Systems a call today at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168. Our team of specialists will evaluate the situation, evaluate the condition of your crawl space, and work with you to determine the best course of action to get it in shape and a place suitable for retaining the structure and foundation of your home.
