Expectant parents can take baby preparations to the next level by scheduling inspection and cleanup of their crawl spaces and attics. Here’s a guide to a few problems found in crawl spaces and attics and how your all-in-one HVAC pro can help.

Some types of insulation are prone to mold and mildew. Typically, the insulation has exposure to leaks and/or high humidity, which provide a moist surface on which mold and mildew thrive.

Moisture penetrates crawl space and attic insulation due to the following conditions:

• Roof or crawl space leak
• Excess humidity in home
• Poor ventilation
• Flooding or plumbing leaks
• Condensation from windows or sheathing

When mold and mildew develop in your crawl space or attic, the spores can easily enter nearby HVAC ducts and equipment. The spores then enter into your home with warm or cool air from your HVAC system.

Mold can cause the following health issues:

• Upper respiratory tract issues
• Coughing and wheezing
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• Shortness of breath

People who have asthma or allergies often have more serious health issues when they’re exposed to mold and spore-laden air. Address the issues causing moisture problems in your attic or crawl space before the issues get worse.

After roof leaks and other problems are repaired, schedule removal of moldy insulation and cleanup of your crawl space or attic by your HVAC professional. Schedule replacement of mold- and mildew-ridden insulation to create a place where your baby can breathe easy.

Mammals that seek shelter in crawl spaces and attics can create health issues. Rats and mice can burrow through insulation in attics and crawl spaces. The rodents then urinate and defecate on insulation, wood joists, and anywhere else the rodents happen to travel.

Aside from their incessant chewing damage and nasty elimination habits, rats, mice, squirrels, and other rodents are vectors for serious human diseases.

Rodents can directly transmit diseases including the following:

• Hantavirus
• Hemorrhagic fever with Renal Syndrome
• Lassa fever
• Leptospirosis
• Plague
• Rat-bite fever

Rodents directly and indirectly transmit the above diseases and more when people inhale dust contaminated with rodent urine or fecal matter, touch an infected rodent, or suffer a bite from an infected rodent. Fleas can also transmit diseases like Lyme disease from an infected rodent to a human when the fleas bite.

If you hear mice in the attic, or you’ve found evidence of rodents in your crawl space, hire a pest control company to eradicate the invasive animals. Then, schedule your HVAC pros to replace dirty, urine-soaked insulation with clean, new insulation.

Various issues can cause duct connections to come loose. People working or exploring in a crawl space or attic may inadvertently disconnect part of your ductwork. House settling, earthquakes, and pets can jar ducts loose.

Ducts can corrode and develop holes. Feral cats or other small animals sometimes rip through flexible ducts to get warm in winter.

Disconnected and damaged HVAC duct segments allow contaminants from your crawl space and attic into your home’s air circulation. Dust, spores, gasses, and debris can enter the ductwork and make your indoor air unclean. Loose ductwork makes your HVAC system work harder to deliver the interior temperatures you desire. Some vents near damaged ductwork may deliver conditioned air that’s mixed with exterior air.

Before you bring your newborn home, schedule a thorough inspection of all of your crawl space and/or attic ductwork. Your HVAC professional can find any problems in the spaces, then repair and replace damaged ductwork to keep your air fresh and your HVAC bills from increasing.

People stay away from attics and crawl spaces for the most part. The absence of human traffic makes these areas perfect spots for insects and other bugs to take cover. Add any nearby pooled water, cardboard, and wood, and you’ve got ideal conditions for bugs including termites, cockroaches, and carpenter ants to invade.

Structural pests, including termites and carpenter ants, can hide under insulation and do grave damage to your home. Pests, including cockroaches, spread diseases and leave nasty stains and smells in your home.

The insects in attics and crawl spaces attract predators like spiders, snakes, and lizards that feast on the abundant pests. Your attic or crawl space can become a den of shed insect shells, larvae, and spider webs.

Hire a crawl space and attic cleanup team to remove bugs, debris, and dust from the areas where your ducts run. Ask the cleanup crew to disinfect the crawl space and/or attic to remove any lingering germs or waste from pests.

Schedule cleaning, disinfection, pest control, and removal of old insulation from your Edmonds-area crawl space or attic by contacting AirGanic today. We install new insulation, repair ductwork, and do HVAC repairs to get your Seattle, Washington, home all ready for your new little one.