You’re sitting on your couch enjoying your favorite show. Even though you’re absorbed by the storyline, you have to pause every few minutes to reach for the tissues because your allergies are out of control. Sound familiar? It could be your crawl space!
Approximately 60% of your indoor air originates in your crawl space. If your crawl space is untreated, it’s very likely a breeding ground for all sorts of allergens. These allergens can irritate your respiratory system, causing a cascade of symptoms. If you’re tired of being sick and tired, keep reading to discover if your crawl space is the culprit—and if it is—what to do about it.
5 Ways Your Crawl Space Is Making You Sick
Crawl spaces were once thought to be an efficient approach to building a home foundation. Cheaper than digging a basement while still providing easy access to plumbing and electrical systems, crawl spaces were a popular choice for cost-effective home construction. However, crawl spaces (especially in humid environments like Roanoke, VA) don’t age well.
As time passes, unwanted moisture accumulates in the spaces under a home, creating the ideal environment for allergens and irritants to multiply. Here are the top 5 allergens that could be lurking underneath your home:
1. Mold and Mildew: Untreated crawl spaces are damp (or even downright flooded) which creates ideal conditions for mold and mildew to flourish. Thanks to the “stack effect” that pushes air from lower to upper levels of a house, mold spores can circulate into your home. This often triggers allergic reactions like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and sinus issues.
2. Dust Mites: Dust mites love a humid, dirty crawl space. Unfortunately, many people are highly allergic to their waste, particularly people with asthma and dust allergies. Even the most fastidious housekeeper can’t outrun dust, but an untreated crawl space is a haven for this common household allergen.
3. Pest Infestations: It may not be fun to hear, but rodents (think mice and rats), insects (termites and spiders), and other pests can nest in crawl spaces. Their droppings, dander, and bacteria can wreak havoc on your air quality and your allergy symptoms.
4. Moisture and Decay: Excess moisture in your crawl spaces is terrible for wooden foundations. It causes wood rot, which may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or musty odors. These airborne pollutants can aggravate respiratory issues, particularly in people with sensitivities or preexisting conditions.
5. Outdoor Allergens: Crawl spaces were often built with large vents so the outdoor air could circulate—thereby solving the moisture and mold problem. Or so it was thought. Typically, moisture and mold remain a problem and these open vents only serve to let outdoor pests and allergens in including pollen and mold spores.
Clean Up Your Crawl Space to Clean Up Your Health
While an unhealthy crawl space isn’t necessarily responsible for all respiratory problems, it certainly doesn’t support a healthy, symptom free life. If you’re ready to tackle the indoor air quality of your home then treating your crawl space is the way to go.
Treatment ranges from vapor barriers, to crawl space encapsulation, to dehumidifiers and more. The approach will depend on your unique situation and the current condition of your crawl space. The best way to get started is to consult a crawl space professional.
At Crawl Space Care, we’ve been providing clean, dry crawl spaces to home owners in the Roanoke and New River valleys for over a decade. Right now, you can schedule a FREE crawl space inspection and quote from one of our highly experienced pros. Stop suffering needlessly with poor air quality and bad allergies.
Call Crawl Space Care today.