Which Health Hazards Does a Non-Encapsulated Crawl Space Cause?

The encapsulation process ultimately helps keep any moisture out of your crawl space and home as a whole. However, if you do not have a vapor barrier strong enough to protect these spaces from moisture (if you have one at all), then you will find your home and even your family facing all sorts of issues.  

The most harmful damage a poorly encapsulated crawl space can cause is putting you and your family at risk of becoming ill. How exactly does an unattended crawl space contribute to health issues?  

Mold and Mildew Health Issues  

Sitting moisture can encourage all sorts of unhealthy fungi to grow within your home. Mold and mildew are both types of fungi that, while not necessarily toxic, can present plenty of health issues if left to fester in dark spaces. Both fungi will grow anywhere with plenty of moisture, including within your crawl space.  

This can be dangerous for several reasons. For one, they both spread very, very easily and can grow on almost any organic material. Should their spores get into your HVAC system or even your plumbing, you can expect to see mold or mildew growing in other parts of your home and infecting you that way.  

Mold and mildew can adversely affect even those that aren’t sensitive or allergic to it. The CDC states that the average healthy person will likely suffer from a stuffy nose, red or itchy eyes or skin, coughing, and wheezing. However, those with asthma or immunosuppression are likely to have their lungs infected with the mold or mildew itself, among other intense reactions.  

Health Hazards of Pest Infestations  

Pests are ridden with all sorts of diseases, and those attracted to flooded homes are no different. Cockroaches, mosquitos, and other similar insects tend to carry such diseases as Lyme disease, strep throat, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, salmonella, malaria, and much more. Even if the pests that invade your home do not happen to carry diseases, their shed skins alone can trigger allergic reactions in both sensitive and healthy people alike.  

Dealing with severe illness on top of an infestation and constantly flooded crawl space will only worsen your condition further. It is best to encapsulate your crawl space before your home reaches this point. When you encapsulate your crawl space you are reducing moisture in this space, which reduces pests’ interest in the space as well.