Dirt Crawl Spaces: A Home Health Epidemic

For hundreds of years, dirt crawl spaces were accepted as a fact of life. Millions of homes across the United States have been built over dirt crawls -- and many more are built every year.

In recent years, however, science has shown us that dirt crawl spaces can cause a wide variety of economic and health problems. As much as 50 percent of the air in a home built over a dirt crawl space can come from the crawl; and a sick crawl space can cause problems throughout the home, including:

• Excessively high relative humidity levels
• Growth of harmful molds, fungus, and other microbes and allergens
  
• Increased irritation of asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions
• Penetration of radon gas into the home
• Substantially higher energy costs for heating and air conditioning
• Rotting of structural wood and damage to other building materials
• Damage to stored clothing and other personal belongings due to dampness and mildew
• Increased susceptibility to damage by termites, carpenter ants, and other pests

We Can Help

Pest Quest Pest Management LLC is the exclusive regional installer for the Basement Systems International Moisture Control Network – a group of more than 100 of the best crawl space encapsulation and moisture control contractors in the world, who have exclusive access to patented products, comprehensive training and support through the international company. Regional Representative Jim O'Brien enjoys meeting with homeowners and helping them solve their moisture related pest problems. Jim says, ”I treat every homeowner like I would want to be treated and every home as if it was my home.”

Symptoms of a Sick Crawl Space

Some people have no idea what's in their crawl space, and others just think of it as a shallow, wet, dirty place that they avoid as much as possible. But crawl space problems can affect your entire home. Some of the signs of a sick crawl space include:

• Foul, musty or "sour" odors
• Wet spots or mold on the foundation walls
• Standing water, mold, mildew, or algae on the crawl space floor
• A general feeling of dampness, or the soil is damp when you touch it
• Visible mold or wood rot on wooden structural members (beams, joists, etc.)
• Water beading or dripping from pipes or ducts due to condensation
• The floors above the crawlspace are cold in the winter
• You've had a termite or carpenter ant problem
• Belongings stored in the crawl are mildewed or have a musty smell

If your home has any of the above symptoms, then you may have a sick crawl space.

Healing a Sick Crawl

Luckily, we have the prescription for sick crawl spaces, and it begins with a free, no-obligation assessment of your crawl space. A Certified Microbial Remediator will personally inspect your entire crawl space to determine which problems it has, what is causing those problems, and best and most cost-effective remediation measures. These may include:

• Installation or re-tucking of insulation
• removal of organic debris
• sealing and caulking
• Installation of a drainage system, sump pump, or dehumidifier
• Installation of the CleanSpace™ Crawl Space Encapsulation System™

The CleanSpace™ system helps prevent mold, wood rot, pest damage, energy loss, and the other problems associated with dirt crawl spaces by removing organic debris, sealing energy-wasting vents and structural gaps, correcting drainage problems (if needed), and installing a tough, patented, seven-layer polyester-reinforced plastic liner that seals out moisture and promotes a clean interior environment in your home.

Please click here to learn about some of the dangers that may be lurking in your crawl space, or click here to contact us for a free, no obligation crawl space assessment. We service the five boroughs of NYC, Nassau County and Western Suffolk County on Long Island, and Middlesex, Hudson, and Union Counties in NJ.

Memberships, Certifications, and Affiliations

• Certified Microbial Remediator, American Indoor Air Quality Council
• Certified Clean Space Crawl Space Encapsulation Installer
• Member, Indoor Air Quality Association
• Member, American Indoor Air Quality Council
• NJPMA Accredited Wood Destroying Organism Inspector (No. 081)
• NJ DEP Registered Pesticide Business (No. 97222A)
• NYS DEC LIcensed Nuisance Wildlife Operator (No. NWL00-0437)
• NYS DEC Registered Pesticide Business (No. 12480)
• Bird Barrier Professional Installer
• Bat Conservation International Professional Excluder
• Member, National Pest Management Association
• Member, New Jersey Pest Management Association
• Member, International Pest Control Operators Network
• Member, National Wildlife Control Operators Association