A Healthy, Allergen-Free Home is Simple

Well, it is that time of year again. Allergies are bad for nearly everyone. In the Midwest, it seems as though that time of year is around more often than not. To keep your family healthy, take steps to reduce the allergens lurking in your home.

When combatting home allergens, the first thing to consider is the stack effect. The stack effect is a process in which warm air escapes your home through the attic. As it does, cooler air is pulled up from the basement and crawlspace to the upper levels of your home. It is estimated that 50% of the air we breathe in our homes is air from the crawlspace and basement.

Typically, the air in the crawlspace or basement is damp. If the crawlspace is unfinished or mold is growing in the basement, the spores, dust and dirt travels into the upper levels of your home with the cool air that is suctioned up. Thankfully, there are preventive measures that can be taken to hinder the allergens in your home.

The first step to reducing allergens in your crawlspace is to encapsulate the crawlspace with the CleanSpace crawlspace encapsulation system. High moisture levels contribute to mold growth. CleanSpace is an inorganic vapor barrier. Because it is inorganic, it does not support mold growth. The system prevents water from leaking into the crawlspace, thus reducing the moisture levels and preventing mold. To further encapsulate the crawlspace, there are several access well options to prevent dirt, debris and critters from entering the crawlspace. When dirt and debris cannot get into the crawlspace, then it is not in the air you breathe.

If your basement is not waterproofed, that it is the first step to take to reduce allergens in the basement.  CleanSpace can also be installed on the walls to prevent moisture from entering the basement. Even when waterproofed, the basement could contain high moisture levels. It is important to have a dehumidifier to reduce the relative humidity of the basement. When the humidity is high, dust mites and mold, common allergens, thrive. SaniDry is an energy-efficient dehumidifier that protects your home without spiking energy costs.

While we cannot control the pollen count, we do have multiple solutions to increase the air quality in your home. Don’t let your home be the culprit for your flared allergies. Call 1-800-638-7048 for your free estimate.