When was the last time you thought about the crawl space underneath your home? Your crawl space is meant to allow outside air to circulate beneath your home and prevent dampness in your foundation. Unfortunately, crawl spaces often go ignored or forgotten.
If your crawl space has been sitting unnoticed for several months (or years) you may find yourself feeling sick after entering it for the first time. There are a number of reasons you may feel sick after entering your crawl space.
In this article, we explore how your crawl space can negatively affect your health and explain the benefits of crawl space remediation and encapsulation services.
1. Exposure to Mold
Crawl spaces are often damp and poorly ventilated. These dampness levels provide a prime breeding ground for mold spores and mildew.
Exposure to mold can lead to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies, and other health concerns. People that are more susceptible to health issues caused by mold include:
- children
- older adults
- those with existing respiratory conditions such as allergies or asthma
- those with existing skin conditions such as eczema
- the immunocompromised
Crawl space mold negatively affects your health. It’s important to limit your exposure to mold by controlling the dampness levels in your crawl space. This not only protects your health but also the structural integrity of your home.
Crawl space remediation, routine cleaning, and adequate crawl space ventilation will keep your crawl space free of mold.
2. Exposure to Pest and Animal Feces
The crawl space can offer pests and wild animals a reprieve from any harsh weather. The moisture in the crawl space also acts like a magnet for spiders, termites, rats, mice, and other small pests. Unfortunately, these critters don’t clean up after themselves!
Over time, these creatures can fill your crawl space with their feces and urine. This waste often carries dangerous germs, pathogens, and bacteria that can make you incredibly sick. Some common diseases carried in rat feces, for example, include Lassa fever, hantavirus, and spotted fever.
3. Exposure to Radon Gas
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas often found in crawl spaces. At levels you normally encounter in your environment, radon has little effect on your health. However, long-term exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the most common cause of lung cancer in non-smokers is radon.
Radon is present in most soil types and rocks. It can seep upward through the soil and collect in your crawl space. Sometimes, it even seeps through your floorboards to settle in the first floor of your home. Proper crawl space ventilation prevents the buildup of radon gas.
Protect the Crawl Space With Planet Friendly
If the crawl space underneath your home is overrun with mold, pests, or a funky smell, it’s time to call in the experts from Planet Friendly Pest Control.
We specialize in crawl space management, covering every service from crawl space remediation to encapsulation. Your crawl space will be clean, disinfected, protected, insulated, and guarded against moisture and pests in the future.
Ready to enjoy a healthy crawl space? Contact us today at 800-990-0335 for a free quote.
If you live in Southern Maryland, or Northern Virginia and need help please call us now or visit our website here.
