We at Barrier Waterproofing Systems are hoping you and our families remain safe during this time as we all join together across the country to make a difference where we can.
Perhaps your family is enjoying the newfound time spent together or you are buckling down on bettering a situation in your life, but whatever the case may be, it is probably safe to say you don’t want to be going through this quarantine feeling sick. While the Coronavirus may be shut out of your doors while you are safe inside, there are a host of things in your home that can cause you to feel ill that you may or may not know about.
One perpetrator in particular that we deal with removing from homes all across Middle Tennessee is mold. This fungi can find all kinds of places to grow all around our living spaces. Let’s take a quick look at how mold can negatively impact our health aside from that unpleasant odor it can sometimes give off.
Mold can cause hay fever-type symptoms like the following:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Irritated throat
- Rashy skin
- An allergic reaction is also possible
So, needless to say, this list is quite undesirable to imagine feeling as you are trying to relax on the couch or get some long needed renovating done, especially for something that can be removed easily enough with the right procedures. Some things you can do to help prevent mold growth in your home include eliminating sources of dampness, utilizing a dehumidifying system or air purification system in the home, and increasing ventilation in areas of the home that are subject to a higher concentration of moisture.
Now, it is very important here to understand moisture intrusion in your home and its direct correlation with mold and mildew growth. Using the techniques above will help the most in rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, but here at BWS we concentrate on educating and remediating an area of your home that, if not previously and properly encapsulated, could easily become the most significant source of moisture intrusion. This area is the crawl space. If not properly taken care of, mold and mildew (along with a whole slew of other problems!) can accumulate in that space below your floors, but did you know that whatever trouble is brewing there, if not already sealed off, can communicate with the air you breathe in your living rooms and bedrooms?
An unencapsulated, poorly managed crawl space can collect moisture from the outside air and soil beneath the home in copious amounts, sometimes pooling very significant puddles! This moisture breeds the amount and types of mold spores that get right to work on the exposed wooden structures of your home that they find there. Wood rot can set in and the floor joists will become weakened and deteriorate, spelling trouble for the stability of the structure of your home. Another direct consequence, however, is the ability for the mold to communicate directly with the air that circulates through the common areas of your home, up to as much as 50% of it! Amazing!
If your home has a crawl space and has or has not been previously encapsulated, give Barrier Waterproofing Systems a call today at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168. Our team of specialists will evaluate the situation, determine the condition of your crawl space, and work with you to determine the best course of action to get it in shape and a place suitable for retaining the structure and foundation of your home.
