USING THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB

STAYING SAFE WITH A THROUOGH INSPECTION

Humidity in a crawlspace can lead to damaging effects for the air quality of your home. Depending on how bad these levels are, it isn't always the easiest to detect. However there are signs out there to be aware of and tools to use to help out. Before the tools we use now, one way of checking air quality was using a canary. Back in the day, coal minors used to bring a canary underground with them, canaries have a very sensitive respiratory system. When confronted with foul or unsafe air the canary would drop dead. When a canary died, this was a sign to the workers that the air quality was getting bad and it was time to get somewhere safe. While households don't generally have a canary in their home to check air quality, anyone in your home with respiratory problems will be more sensitive to changes in the air. These problems could manifest as worsened asthma, a weak immune system, allergies, chronic cold or sinus issues or any other host of issues that can appear in a person susceptible to breathing issues. To thoroughly check air quality we have advanced equipment nowadays to help us identify where quality issues are, so we can tackle them and provide clean air for people to breath. 

In a home, nearly 50% of the air comes from the crawlspace or basement. This is due to the stacking effect. As most of you know (and just in case you don’t) warm air rises. So air moves upward through your house and escapes through the attic. Well, where does new air come into your house?  From the open vents, dirt floors, porous walls, or cracks in the foundation. This is where we circle back to moisture under your home. Humidity and water vapor under your home is the problem for air quality, not the water itself. At 50% relative humidity you have allowed an environment conducive for mold to grow. The average relative humidity in your basement and crawlspace is around 70 to 80% all the time. What does this mean to you? It means that you very likely have tons of mold spores breeding under your home and traveling up into your living space that people are regularly breathing in.

If no one in your home shows any issues with breathing you may think everything must be good then. But, everyone has varying degrees of sensitivity to mold and other indoor allergens. Your tolerance may well be higher than others. This can change though. It is not uncommon for people to develop allergies or sensitivity later in life or after some type of large illness. Children are also more sensitive to indoor air pollutants, and it is good to solve an issue before people with lower sensitivity show signs. 

Below is a list of common symptoms of mold exposure;

This is an abbreviated list of the few key symptoms of exposure that can manifest. If you or someone in your family is experiencing any of these symptoms or others such as asthma or regular intestinal upset, you may have a problem, that can easily be fixed with some waterproofing. 

Some options would be to excavate the exterior wall and waterproof it, you can also add a French drain on the exterior of your house, but these solutions have a limited warranty. We recommend an interior drainage solution and encapsulating your space. This allows for water control and protection. In addition when the drainage system is on the interior it will not clog up with sediment, like an exterior system will. This enables us to carry a lifetime transferrable warranty. Our estimates are free and we can provide peace of mind and understanding of exactly what is going on below your living space. In addition we know how to solve your issues quickly and permanently.