Do you have a damp basement or wet crawlspace? Many in the Raleigh NC area do. Even if that space is never used, or is only used for storage, moisture in your basement can create a headache for a homeowner.

If you’re like many people, you may rarely go into your basement or crawlspace. It may be dark and maybe even a little creepy. Other than shoving holiday decorations in the corner, you may avoid going down there. So when a problem develops, it may not be obvious until that small problem becomes a bigger one.

A lot of homeowners with moisture in their basements or crawlspaces initially call Critter Control because they have an animal problem, not realizing they have a secondary issue. They may see droppings in the basement or hear rustling in the crawlspace. When we come out and assess the problem, we often find that animals like opossums, mice and snakes have set up camp.

But sometimes, even after removing the animals and sealing their points of entry, our inspection of the area shows that moisture is accumulating in the basement or crawlspace—and that can cause additional problems throughout the home.

How Moisture Develops in the House

Moisture most commonly accumulates if the house doesn’t have a vapor barrier—a plastic sheeting that prevents water from penetrating the walls or floor of a basement. Without that barrier, the difference in temperature throughout the house creates moisture. Think about a glass of iced tea—the glass sweats as the cold liquid inside reacts to the hot humid air outside.

In homes here in Wake and Durham counties, the coolness from the air conditioner reacts with the hot, humid air coming from the foundation or crawlspace and condensation occurs. Newer houses should already have a vapor barrier, but those vapor barriers can still become loose or undone, allowing moisture to develop. If you’ve had any work done in your basement or crawlspace area, such as an installation of cable or HVAC system, it’s a good idea to check to make sure the barrier is still intact.

When moisture builds up in the basement or crawlspace, mold and mildew can accumulate. But the real danger occurs when moldy air travels through registers and vents and infiltrates the air in the rest of your home.

Mold and Mildew Health Dangers

Mold and mildew, which are both in the fungus family, can be found anywhere there is moisture. Exposure to damp, moldy air can cause numerous health problems including:

• Nasal stuffiness
• Sore throat
• Eye irritation
• Skin irritation
• Asthma symptoms
• Lung infections

If you find small areas of mold in your home, you may want to remove it yourself. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using commercial products, soap and water or a bleach solution (no more than 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.)

However, if you have a large area of mold, the CDC suggests calling in the experts, like Critter Control, for effective mold remediation. We’re known for locating animals in the home, identifying their point of entry, removing them and preventing them from returning. We have the same success locating mold and mildew, identifying their cause, removing all traces of any fungus and fixing your home so those fungal “critters” don’t return.

Concerned about moisture in your basement or crawlspace? Call Critter Control today at 1-800-CRITTER or 919-382-0651 in Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Cary and the Triangle, NC area for more information on how we can help ensure your home is dry and safe.