Articles and Tips

Wet/Moldy Crawl Space?

Too often, the crawl space is considered an after thought to homeowners. The fact is, however, air circulating through the crawl space can have a lasting impact on the overall air quality of your entire home. Leaving a dirty, wet and moldy crawl space unattended not only is a waste of potential storage space, but may have an effect on the health of your family. Sealing and insulating the crawl space provides a clean and usable area, protecting your family from radon gas, toxic mold, unwanted pests and harmful airborne allergens.

Dust Mites and other Moisture Thriving Pests

Dust Mites, for the most part, are harmless to people but, they can cause an allergic reaction to those who are allergic to them or asthmatic. Dust Mites are tiny microscopic relatives of the spider that thrive on dead human or animal skin cells in the form of dandruff. They are most ofton found in bedding, carpeting, upholstery and curtains.

Dust Mites leave behind fecal matter and disintegrating body parts measuring 10 to 24 microns in size. To give a comparison, 1 strand of human hair is aprox. 80 to 100 microns.

But, just like Mold, Dust Mites need moisture and warmth to survive. Though they do not drink water, they do absorb moisture from the air. They thrive in warm, high humidity conditions, but without moisture they can not survive. Your main weapon against them is to eliminate the source of moisture. Lowering the inside temperature below 70 degrees, changing the furnace air filter and cleaning more often will help as well.

The “STS Pro Shield Plus” Liner System will permanently seal out moisture from the crawl space, preventing moisture from entering your home and giving those little creatures a chance to grow. Creating a healthier living environment is what Seal Tight Solutions is all about!

For more information on Dust Mites go to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at www.ehso.com/dustmite