Top Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

The quality of the air we breathe has a significant impact on our health and well-being. Unfortunately, indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air quality due to the accumulation of pollutants, allergens, and other irritants. This is especially true in crawl spaces, which are often dark, damp, and neglected areas that can harbor mold, mildew, and other harmful substances. 

Luckily, there’s a solution that can significantly improve indoor air quality: crawl space encapsulation. Our crawl space encapsulation experts have everything you need to know to improve the indoor air quality of your home.  From the benefits of crawl space encapsulation for indoor air quality to how it can improve the overall health and comfort of you and your family, we are dedicated to coming up with cost-efficient solutions for our Raleigh area homeowners. 

What is Indoor Air Pollution? 

Indoor air pollution is a significant problem that can have adverse effects on human health. It refers to the presence of pollutants and irritants in the air inside buildings, which can cause various health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and even cancer. While indoor air pollution can become a serious health risk, there are many solutions for improving indoor air quality. 

Types of Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollutants can take many forms, including:

• Particulate matter: Includes pollutants such as dust, dirt, and pet dander.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): VOCs are emitted by household products, such as paints, cleaning supplies, and building materials
• Biological pollutants: Includes mold, bacteria, and viruses.
• Carbon monoxide: A colorless and odorless gas that can be produced by gas appliances and heating systems.
• Radon: A naturally occurring gas that can enter homes through the soil or rock on which they are built.
• Asbestos: A mineral fiber that was commonly used in building materials and can cause lung cancer and other health problems when inhaled.

Each of these pollutants can have adverse effects on health, making it important to take steps to reduce or eliminate them from your indoor environment.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Sources of indoor air pollution can be widespread and varied. Common sources include tobacco smoke, gas appliances, and building materials, such as asbestos and lead paint. Indoor air pollution can also originate from outdoor sources, such as car exhaust and outdoor fires, which can enter buildings through open windows and doors. Identifying and addressing the sources of pollutants in your home is essential to improving indoor air quality and promoting a healthy and comfortable living environment.

The Effects of Indoor Air Pollution on Health

Exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause various health problems, including respiratory issues, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as allergies and skin irritation. Long-term exposure to certain indoor air pollutants, such as radon and asbestos, can also increase the risk of cancer. Identifying and addressing the sources of indoor air pollution is crucial to improving indoor air quality and promoting a healthy environment in which to live. 

What is Crawl Space Encapsulation? 

Crawl space encapsulation is a process that involves sealing off and insulating the area underneath a home to prevent moisture, mold, and other harmful substances from entering the indoor environment. The crawl space is the area between the ground and the first floor of a home, and it often serves as a storage area for mechanical systems such as heating and air conditioning.

How Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Eliminate Sources of Indoor Air Pollution?

During the encapsulation process, the crawl space is lined with a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from entering. This barrier is typically made of heavy-duty polyethylene sheeting that is secured to the walls and floor of the crawl space. The vents in the crawl space are sealed off for moisture prevention and to keep other outdoor pollutants from entering.

Additionally, insulation is added to the walls and floor of the crawl space to regulate temperature and prevent heat loss, which can help reduce energy costs. The insulation used in the crawl space is typically made of materials that resist moisture and mold growth, such as closed-cell foam or fiberglass batts.

Crawl space encapsulation can have a significant impact on indoor air quality by preventing mold growth and reducing moisture levels. It can also help improve the overall comfort and energy efficiency of a home by reducing heat loss and regulating temperature. By sealing off the crawl space, homeowners can create a healthier and more comfortable living environment while also reducing energy costs.

Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation on Indoor Air Quality

By encapsulating and waterproofing the crawl space, homeowners can reap these benefits and create a healthier and more comfortable living environment: 

• Reduce moisture levels, which can prevent mold growth and other harmful substances from entering the indoor environment.
• Seal off the crawl space to prevent outdoor pollutants, such as dust, dirt, and pests, from entering the indoor environment.
• Help regulate temperature and reduce heat loss, which can improve overall comfort and energy efficiency.
• Reduce the risk of indoor air pollution-related health problems, such as respiratory issues and allergies.
• Prevent musty smells caused by mold and mildew growth in the crawl space.
• Help maintain a healthy indoor environment by reducing the number of pollutants in the air.
• Can increase the value of a home by improving overall indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
• Can save homeowners money on energy bills by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the home.

Additional Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

In addition to crawl space encapsulation, there are several other ways to improve indoor air quality and create a healthier living environment. Here are some additional ways to improve indoor air quality:

• Keep your home clean: Regularly cleaning your home can help reduce the amount of dust, dirt, and other pollutants in the air. Vacuuming carpets and furniture, dusting surfaces, and washing bedding can all help improve indoor air quality.
• Control humidity levels: High humidity levels can create an environment that is conducive to mold growth and can make indoor air quality worse. Using a dehumidifier can help control humidity levels and prevent mold growth. Additionally, fixing leaks and using plants that absorb moisture can also help control humidity levels.
• Increase ventilation: Ventilation is important for maintaining good indoor air quality. Opening windows and doors can help increase the amount of fresh air in the home. Additionally, using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can help remove pollutants and excess moisture from the air.
• Avoid indoor air pollutants: Many household products, such as cleaning supplies and air fresheners, can emit harmful chemicals that can worsen indoor air quality. Using natural cleaning products and limiting the use of scented products can help reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants. Additionally, avoiding smoking indoors can help improve indoor air quality.
• Test your home for radon: Testing your home for radon and taking steps to reduce exposure if levels are high is an important way to improve indoor air quality.
• Keep carbon monoxide detectors up-to-date: Installing carbon monoxide detectors and keeping them up-to-date can help prevent carbon monoxide exposure and improve indoor air quality.
• Use an air purifier: Air purifiers can help remove pollutants and allergens from the air, improving indoor air quality and reducing the risk of respiratory issues and allergies.

By implementing these additional ways to improve indoor air quality, homeowners can create a healthier and more comfortable living environment.

Schedule Crawl Space Encapsulation Today and Improve the Indoor Air Quality of Your Home!

By sealing off the crawl space of your Raleigh area home you are preventing moisture, mold, and other harmful substances from entering the indoor environment. Homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of indoor air pollution-related health problems, improve energy efficiency, and increase the value of their homes with our crawl space encapsulation services from Crawl Space & Basement Technologies.

Our company specializes in offering solutions for common crawl space and basement issues, and we are dedicated to providing our customers with high-quality services for their homes. Our team of experts has years of experience in encapsulating crawl spaces, and we use only the best materials and equipment to ensure that every job is done efficiently.

If you’re interested in improving indoor air quality in your home, we encourage you to contact Crawl Space & Basement Technologies today by calling [phone] or filling out our online contact form to get started.