Basement Waterproofing - Clean Air is Healthy Air

Many people suffer from allergies and asthma.  When your home’s air is unhealthy, it can aggravate these conditions, or even trigger an asthma attack.  Sometimes homeowners don’t even realize the air in their home is what is causing these problems.  The culprit of this unhealthy environment?  Mold and Mildew.

The Perfect Place to Live

Mold and mildew need three things to grow.  The first thing mold needs to thrive is an environment with a relative humidity over 60%.  The second thing mold needs to grow is organic material.  The third thing mold needs in order to survive is mold spores.  Spores are like the seeds mold spreads to help itself spread.

So how do I know if my home is being affected? 

Here are some common signs mold and mildew are growing in your home:

1. Rust on the head of nails and screws.  The cool metal causes water condensation to collect on its surface.  A sure sign your basement or crawl space is too humid.
2. Organic material is available. Boxes, clothing, newspapers/magazines, even the wood your house is built with are all great material for mold to grow on.  They decompose and provide the nutrients mold needs to survive and reproduce.
3. Musty odor. That “basement smell” is actually a sign that mold is actively releasing spores into the air.

“If it looks like mold and smells like mold, then it’s probably… MOLD.”

 But my family doesn’t live there!

Many homeowners ask us, “But it’s just in my basement or crawl space.  We don’t spend much time down there, so why should I worry?”  Our company has spent time studying the answer to this very common question.  The answer?  The stack effect.

The diagram below shows the movement of air throughout a home.  Notice that the air enters the home at the bottom (the basement or crawl space) but then moves upwards throughout the entire home until it can finally escape.  This means all those mold spores floating around the basement or crawl space are also transported throughout your entire living space, affecting the air you and your family are breathing every day.

So what do I do to fix it?

Foundation Supportworks of Idaho has a simple solution!  The SaniDry Sedona.

The world’s most efficient, high-performance dehumidifier.

The SaniDry Sedona is small in size, yet powerful enough to lower humidity in even the dampest environment, such as the basement or crawl space of your home. The SaniDry Sedona will keep your home below 55% relative humidity.

Benefits of installing the Sedona:

• Stop mold and mildew: With humidity levels below 55%, you won’t have to worry because you will be creating a drier environment that inhibits the growth of mold and mildew.
• Eliminate musty odors: No mold and mildew, no “basement smell.”  It’s that simple!
• Protect your family’s health: Dust mites thrive and reproduce quickly in a humid environment.  Their droppings easily become airborne and are the number one household allergen.  Lower humidity levels mean less allergens.

The Sedona features an auto-humidistat that senses the moisture level and automatically shuts the unit off to save energy.  However, you can rest easy knowing that the Sedona is ENERGY STAR certified, saving you money when it is running.

Contact Foundation Supportworks of Idaho to get your free estimate on the installation of the SaniDry Sedona today!  1-208-547-6418