Are whole family has been having allergy symptoms and my 7 month old just got her first ear infection. My husband thinks it might be from mold under the house in the crawl space (dirt is very moist) live in a muccy area. Any ideas on how to get rid of it and kill it safely? Any suggestions are welcomed.

-- cynthia (chemenway@hotmail.com), July 14, 2000

Answers

It sound like your crawlspace is not adequately ventilated for your soil conditions. It probably always has a strong wet basement smell. Increasing ventilation may help. Also talk to a contractor about installing a plastic vapor barrier on the bottom of the floor joists.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 15, 2000.

Several options, cheap to somewhat expensive

Cheap, buy those big sheets (20' x 20') of 4mm plastic at walmart, enough to cover crawl space ceiling, and staple em up. (Be sure to spray lysol or other spray mold/mildew killer on real good first). Cover the staples with the silicone seal available at the car dept. of walmart. (plastic-$4.50, silicone,$3.00/tube, lysol $2.50) Remember, if you don't use enough staples, the thing will sag, and tear. staple every 2 feet.

low-moderate- Spray mold inhibiters (available at large home centers, and pro cleaning shops) which should be applied to ground, walls, and ceiling of crawl space every three monthes. I think Walmart may even have this now.

moderate buy a $150 dehumidifyer, and empty daily. Or, buy more expensive humidyfyer that has a 10' drain hose, and pump pressure when amount of water reaches one gallon. This can be snaked outdoors. Place in crawl space. I suggust you hang weighted plastic or canvess over the crawl space opening to the house, so the allergins can't reach you.

Most expensive, professional waterproofing. The cheapest needs redone ever 3-5 years if put up well. The humidifyers will do a great job of drying, but need checking and routine care. Replace every 5 years or so. The

Remember mold slows up at cool temperatures, and will not be sending spores when it is dry. Maybe place a small exhaust fan into a crawl space window, to encourage air movement. (Be sure there is another window, or entrance open)

-- Marty (mrs.puck@excite.com), July 17, 2000.

I'm also told sometimes the plastic is put on the ground to seal off moisture from it.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 18, 2000.