Breathing crawlspace air can cause health problems

By Bennie Marshall


Allergies, asthma and other health problems can be caused (or worsened) by damp, musty, untreated crawlspaces. Installing crawlspace liners can eliminate the problem.

Like it or not, you're breathing your crawlspace air - and it can be the source of a growing number of health problems. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has commissioned the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to study the relationship between damp or moldy environments and the health problems they cause.

In any home, air flows from bottom to top, pulling moist air - and everything in it - up into your home's living space. If your home has an unsealed crawlspaces, the air pulled up is coming from an environment perfect for mold growth and other moisture problems. Because as much as 50 percent of the air in a home built over a crawlspace comes from the crawl, mold spores from crawlspaces can trigger allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems.

Studies have revealed some alarming statistics about the air in homes - it may be 10 to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air in industrialized cities. Symptoms of crawlspace-related health problems include nasal and sinus congestion; itchy, red, watery eyes; breathing problems like wheezing and shortness of breath; coughing; throat irritation; rashes and other skin irritations; and headaches.

Now there's good news, too - there's a simple solution to the problem. If you install a quality reinforced crawlspace liner, you can protect your home from the ground below and keep moisture, mildew, insects and animals from entering.

Here are the signs that an unlined crawlspace is causing health problems: Foul, musty or "sour" odors, Wet spots, mold or wood rot on the foundation walls, beams or joists, Water, mold, mildew or algae on the crawlspace floor, or water beading or dripping from pipes, A general feeling of dampness, high humidity levels, or crawlspace dirt that is damp to the touch , A termite or carpenter-ant problem in the home, Radon gas in the home, Higher energy costs for heating and air-conditioning, Warped hardwood floors, Damage to stored clothing and other belongings from dampness and mildew

Mold spores, odors, humidity and insects can create an highly unhealthful environment. Having a closed crawlspace is a fundamental element in having a healthy - and energy-efficient - home. With proven crawlspace-liner encapsulation systems, having healthy crawlspaces can eliminate the problems listed above.

There are many liners available on the market, but there's one that provides more protection than the others. That patent-pending liner is a lightweight, pliable 20-mil, fire-resistant vapor barrier treated with an antimicrobial agent. It is almost half the weight - and twice the strength - of traditional 20-mil liners. Because these qualities are built into the material, these liners are perfect as crawlspace liners.

With their patented reinforced crawlspace liner material and simple patented installation method, crawlspaces will be level, clean, usable, dry, properly conditioned - and healthy.

Your Crawlspace is the nation's premier provider of crawlspace-encapsulation systems. Hundreds of satisfied homeowners across the United States have their patented system (which was under development for almost two years) and are enjoying clean, dry, enclosed crawlspaces. For more information about Your Crawlspace, please visit www.yourcrawlspace.com.

About the Author:
Bennie Marshall operates YourCrawlSpace.com. Learn DIY crawlspace waterproofing and save up to 80%. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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