My Moldy Crawlspace

Having a properly encapsulated crawlspace will help to prevent mold and improve the overall air quality in the house. Once the crawlspace has been dealt with it is time to insure the HVAC duct work in the house is up to par as well.

Most folks mistakenly assume that the air that comes out of those little vents and registers in their walls and floors is clean, and that’s usually the case, but the air ducts and ventilation systems behind those vents and registers can sometimes hide a host of allergens and other potential air contaminants.

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there have been no studies showing that contaminated duct systems are a major health threat, but there are links between dirty duct systems and reduced air quality in the home. The EPA does advise that the dispersal of dust, allergens, and other contaminants back into the home could contribute to seasonal allergy symptoms, and might be a factor in contracting seasonal cold and flu viruses. So it’s a good idea to have your ducts inspected and cleaned, especially if you or your family has ongoing respiratory issues.

Before you hire a professional to clean your ducts you need to assess how dirty your system is, and if the dirt is more than what would be a normal accumulation over time. First and foremost if you detect mold or mildew around vents or registers it’s time to call a professional. Mold and mildew are warning signs that your system has been compromised in some way that is allowing moisture to accumulate in the duct work. This is not only a potential health problem, but could also be a sign that your HVAC system could be failing. Moisture shouldn’t be present in your ducts in large amounts, period. HVAC systems are designed to return dry air to the household, moisture is supposed to be collected and disposed of inside the main unit. If moisture is finding its way into your ducts something in the system isn’t operating as it should. If you detect mold, your next step should be contacting a certified HVAC installer to check your system or mold removal service.

Beyond mold you might be surprised what you find in air ducts. Ducts many times become a home for insects, rodents, and other vermin. Some intrusion from insects is inevitable. Bugs are small and find it an easy task to enter air ducts through vents, etc. A more serious indicator of a potentially larger problem is the presence of rodents, i.e. rats, mice, ground squirrels, etc. In order for something as large as a mouse to enter a system there has to be a significant gap or hole somewhere along the ductwork. While a mouse or two in your system isn’t really a health threat it does mean that your system is compromised. If something as large as a mouse can enter your ducts think of all the dust and dirt that gap is letting in!

Whether your system is showing signs of dirty duct work, mold, or even a mouse it’s important to consider that as a sign to have your system inspected, and/or cleaned and repaired. After all, if you’re worried about breathing the air outside shouldn’t you be able to breath easy in the comfort of your own home?

Keeping the crawl space clean is very important. And keeping the crawl space dry is so much important as well. But perhaps, the first question is whether the crawl space has been checked regularly. Or better yet, has it ever been checked and cleaned?

The problem with crawl spaces is that it’s often overlooked. Nobody notices them except when one is trying to find a place to stash old stuff. And the worse part of it is that these things even become the breeding ground for dirt, dust and even molds.

Why Keep the Crawl Space Dry
Molds dwell in warm and dark places. They definitely love the moist. That’s why they thrive in places like the crawl spaces. This is a fact that every one must know. Furthermore, molds can present danger to the safety of the house. When molds begin to propagate, it starts to destroy the house starting from under. So, all crawl spaces should really be kept clean and dry.

Ensuring the House and the Whole Household’s Safety
Beyond cleaning and keeping the crawl space dry, most people install a crawl space vapor barrier. The crawl space vapor barrier will serve as encapsulation for the walls and floors of the area. This way the vapors would not be able to escape and develop into molds. It is kept under and released through sump pump and the discharge line.

At times a crawl space vapor barrier only serves as storage for the vapor. But it would be better if aside from the crawl space vapor barrier there is also a second wrapping to make the crawl space vapor barrier durable. This would also send the vapor straight to the sump.

The crawl space vapor barrier will keep toxins and other gases from penetrating into the house. The crawl space vapor barrier would also stop stale odor from infecting the house. This will not only keep the house more durable. It will also save the whole household from respiratory illnesses and other kinds of diseases.

Not everybody realizes these things right away. But things really could go so bad if the crawl spaces are not clean and dry. Again, the possible ruin to the house could result to injury. The amount of toxins that penetrates the house could bring in diseases. These are reasons enough to make a household want to install a crawl space vapor barrier. Such an investment would be so little compared to the pain and the money spent should something happen to the house or the people living in it.