How can moisture problems in the crawl space influence my indoor air quality?
It can have a dramatic impact in a couple of ways. First, if you have a moisture problem in the crawl space, it can lead to elevated humidity levels in the interior of the home. The high humidity in the crawl space will equilibrate with the rest of the home, so there will be a continuing movement of moisture from the crawl space into the interior of the home, causing areas of elevated humidity and moisture. Wall interiors and plywood underlayment can become damp, providing good conditions for mold growth on the walls, flooring, and beneath the carpet. Secondly, if you have a mold problem in the crawl space, the microbial volatile fatty acids (MVFAs) produced can diffuse into the interior of the home as well. The diffusion is slow but with time you may detect a musty odor that is originating from the crawl space and is entering by diffusion through the floor. And third, if you have a mold problem and mold spores are being produced, they can enter the home through holes in the floor or t
