According to the University of Tennessee, the space under your house can have a host of negative side effects. A damp or wet basement can easily be the direct cause of weak walls, sagging floors; It can cause structural damage and affect mechanical and electrical systems.
A damp or wet basement can quickly become a breeding ground for insects, termites, and other pests. Basement moisture tends to destroy insulation and can increase humidity, adding to high energy costs and reducing the value of your home.
The most serious side effect of moisture in a crawl space is the myriad of health problems it can cause to those living above the space. Mold that forms in a damp basement can cause mild to severe respiratory problems and skin irritations in some adults and young children.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that when mold is airborne, it can greatly increase asthma symptoms and cause severe allergic reactions in some adults and young children. Mold can also cause digestive problems, respiratory difficulties, cognitive deficits, and neurological damage.
Asthma and Allergies
Common mold is best known for causing allergies and asthma in some adults and children. Repeated exposure to mold spores can affect your immune system and cause inflammatory reactions. These allergic reactions can cause sneezing, a stuffy nose, wheezing, coughing, and a constant sore throat. Mold from damp or wet basements can seriously aggravate people diagnosed with asthma.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Mold growing from basement damp has been linked to various forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis tends to affect men and women who work in agriculture, carpentry, and metalworking. This occurs by inhaling foreign particles. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, chills, chest tightness, coughing, and fatigue.
Sinusitis
When people with cystic fibrosis or asthma become infected with mold species, they can become hypersensitive to the fungus, which can lead to serious respiratory problems. According to the University of Connecticut, allergic fungal sinusitis occurs in some adults and children when a fungal growth develops in their sinuses. Exposure to mold from basement damp tends to encourage growth until it destroys sinus tissue.
Allergic dermatitis
When mold exposure affects your immune system, it tends to cause irritation or skin problems. Other studies suggest that mold has contributed to itchy, red, and dry skin.
Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome
ODTS, or Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome, is a term used to encompass illnesses thought to be triggered by the inhalation of fungal toxins or bacterial endotoxins. ODTS has flu-like symptoms; fever, chills, and cough, but differs slightly from hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are metabolites that mold can produce. Crawl spaces exposed to moisture can produce volatile organic compounds, which are the main causes of musty mold odors. These compounds are highly irritating to the eyes, nose, throat, chest, and skin. Mycotoxins contribute to headaches and fatigue.
Studies have shown that exposure to mold or mycotoxins can cause side effects; memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and personality changes in some adults and children.
Solution
Mold can grow and multiply rapidly. The most effective way to protect your home and health from mold exposure is to consult a waterproofing expert and have your basement professionally waterproofed. A good waterproofing expert will examine your foundation and recommend the best and most cost-effective way to solve the problem. Most waterproofing contractors give a free estimate, discuss your options, and give you plenty of time to make the best decision.