According to the American Lung Association, asthma cases have risen dramatically since the 1970s. In fact, the number of Americans hospitalized for asthma rose 284 percent between 1979 and 1995, with an estimated 17 million Americans suffering from the condition in 1998. One of the most common triggers of asthma attacks is allergies. These studies have shown that damp housing conditions are associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma. The severity of asthma increases with an increasing quantity of dampness and mold in the home.
Mold thrives most often in moist conditions.
And that means the basement can serve as a perfect mold incubator. In addition to the threat of moisture from leaks and seepage, basements are prone to collect condensation. The indoor-outdoor temperature differential found in most basements helps condensation abound. As is true with most efforts, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Spray application allows a consistent and seamless membrane with a thickness of at least 40 mils - four times thicker than standard dampproofing.