Symptoms
What Are the Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
Common signs of poor indoor air quality include ongoing musty odors, damp or heavy air, visible mold, condensation and allergy and respiratory symptoms that feel worse at home. While these signs can have different causes, several may suggest excess moisture or other air quality concerns in your basement. Some indoor pollutants can also irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, or they may aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms. If you're concerned about the air in your home, start by looking for these common signs in and around your basement:
Causes
What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality in a Basement?
Poor basement air quality is often caused by excess moisture and humidity, mold and mildew, dust and allergens or pollutants entering from the soil. Because basements sit partially or fully below ground, they can be particularly vulnerable to water intrusion and high humidity. Cracks and other foundation openings can also provide pathways for soil gases such as radon to enter the home.
How Basement Air Can Affect Your Whole Home
Did You Know? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of some indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels.
Air Enters at the Lowest Levels
Minor cracks, gaps and openings around the basement or foundation can permit outside air and soil gases to enter your home. If the basement is damp, that incoming air may also pick up excess moisture, mold and other indoor air quality concerns.
Warm Air Rises Through Your Home
As warmer air rises and exits through upper levels of the house, differences in air pressure can bring replacement air in through lower areas. This natural movement of air is often referred to as the stack effect.
Basement Air Can Travel Upstairs
As air rises, odors, humidity and airborne particles from the basement can be carried with it. That means improving conditions in the basement can help address musty odors, excess humidity and other air-quality concerns beyond the basement itself.
How The Foundation Specialists Can Improve Basement Air Quality
For homeowners in Nashville, improving basement air quality begins with controlling the conditions that create damp, musty air. The Foundation Specialists can pinpoint sources of excess moisture and recommend solutions such as basement waterproofing, drainage, dehumidification, sump pumps and vapor barriers to help create a drier, more comfortable basement.
What Can You Do to Help Prevent Poor Basement Air Quality?
What To Expect
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