In a rush? Call us: 1-205-896-4528 CRAWL SPACE REPAIR PROBLEM SIGNS SOLUTIONS RESOURCES PROTECT YOUR CRAWLSPACE THIS SUMMER Why should you care about the health of your crawl space? We asked the experts. GET A FREE QUOTE Admit it. Your crawlspace is scary. Spider webs, dirt, damp, dark and dungeon-like are what comes to mind. Our hot, humid Birmingham weather makes your home’s crawlspace an even more unpleasant area. But have no fear, we asked our local and trusted friends at AFS, A Groundworks Company how and why they should inspect your crawlspace for you this summer. Photo courtesy of AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, A Groundworks Company The air you breathe According to AFS, as much as 50% of your indoor air comes from below in spaces like your crawlspace and even your basement. The nation’s leading advocate for clean air, the American Lung Association (ALA), identifies moist and damp crawlspaces as potential breeding grounds for mold growth, a dangerous air pollution source for all of us, especially to people who are sensitive to bad air. From ALA’s website on mold and dampness: “The best way to control dampness and mold indoors is to control the sources of moisture. That means preventing the problem from developing as well as fixing new problems quickly. Common problem areas include air-conditioning units; basements, attics and crawl spaces…” Photo courtesy of AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, A Groundworks Company Furthermore, according to the association, exposure to mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in some people. Anyone—with or without allergies—may experience irritation of their eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs when exposed to airborne mold particles. But even if you don’t have mold – dampness inside a home via places, such as your crawlspace, can cause asthma attacks and other upper and lower respiratory problems. Dampness and mold have been linked to: Worsening of asthma Coughing Wheezing Nasal congestion Sore throat Sneezing Make your home more livable So, how do you go about making the air in your home cleaner? Here are a few tips from our friends in Birmingham, AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists. Be on the lookout for these signs of potential problems Look around your home. Do you have cold floors and high energy bills in the winter? What about musty and offensive odors, sagging floors and walls? Do you see standing water, a soft muddy crawl space floor, any mold growth appearing on the joists, beams and sub floors in your crawlspace? Prevention is the best solution Photo courtesy of AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, A Groundworks Company Crawlspace maintenance will help you avoid unnecessary repairs and could create a healthier living space. In fact, according to the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy it can also save you money. From their “Building America research” on unvented crawlspaces, repairs and preventative measures has demonstrated energy savings up to 15% to 18% for heating and cooling, and can reduce humidity up to 20%. Not only can you save money on your electric bills, one additional bonus: if you encapsulate your crawlspace with a vapor barrier, you’ve gained valuable storage space in your home. Photo courtesy of AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, A Groundworks CompanyAFS-A Groundworks Company has repaired and waterproofed tens of thousands of homes in the Birmingham area over the past 20 years they’ve served the Magic City. Visit their website or give them a call at 877-340-8479 to set up your free inspection. OUR CRAWL SPACE EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP SCHEDULE FREE INSPECTION : : Steve 'Berto' Bertolacci PROUDLY SERVING ALABAMA, GEORGIA, KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE Birmingham, AL (205) 286-5520 (205) 859-8550 130 Interstate Commerce Crt. Bldg. 100 & 200 Alabaster, AL 35007 Chattanooga, TN (423) 212-8210 (423) 226-3582 214 Industrial Park Dr. Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379 Huntsville, AL (256) 344-6717 (256) 445-9070 2415 Jordan Road Huntsville, AL 35811 Knoxville, TN (865) 290-1305 (865) 290-1306 3028 E Governor John Sevier Highway Knoxville, TN 37914 Mobile, AL / Biloxi, MS (251) 250-1901 (251) 220-3457 3131 Hamilton Blvd. Theodore, AL 36582 Montgomery, AL / Columbus, GA (334) 209-5411 (334) 203-4899 Nashville, TN (615) 246-7220 (615) 235-0525 1519 Heil Quaker Blvd. LaVergne, TN 37086 VIEW ALL LOCATIONS ABOUT US CAREERS FINANCING SERVICE AREAS FOUNDATION REPAIR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING CRAWL SPACE REPAIR CONCRETE LIFTING 1-205-896-4528 Follow us! Like Groundworks on Facebook (Opens in New Tab) Follow Groundworks on Twitter (Opens in New Tab) Groundworks Logo © 2021 A Groundworks Company. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions Accessibility