The fall is coming up quick for those of us living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and for us that means lots of rain coming soon! Having moisture under your home is definitely something that everyone wants to avoid. Having moisture under you hame can cause many issues such as mold, mildew, damaging the foundation, and even severe structural damage. There are ways to prevent all of these issues, hiring a professional will help keep your home free of moisture! Luckily, a professional will know just what to do to keep your home safe. Today we will talk about certain practices that keep moisture out of your crawlspace.
To Vent or not to Vent That is the Question
For many years it has been considered best practice for a home to have vents in its basement or crawlspace. It was thought to prevent moisture build up. However, more recent research has found that it is actually better to leave the crawl space or basement unvented to prevent moisture build up! The more you know about new research the better when it comes to your home.
Ground Humidity Issues
The EPA says that 80% of moisture in the home comes from underneath it. If you have high moisture ground under your home then you should definitely have some really great vapor barrier put under your home. Even if you don’t live in a terribly wet area using vapor barrier is a great way to protect you home.
If you have very bad ground humidity issues, such as living somewhere with a high water table, then you might need to go with more extreme measures. If you have a constantly wet basement or crawlspace you may need to consider putting in a sump pump. This will drain the water towards it and pump the water away from your home. It is a great option for those with a lot of moisture under the home.
Waterproofing
If you have a home that has mostly soil underneath it rather than slab, you may want to consider having your crawlspace water-proofed or encapsulated. This is a great way to keep moisture out of your home. This may be a great option for your home if moisture is a real problem. The great thing about waterproofing or encapsulating your crawlspace is that this area will become a usable storage space because your items will be safe. It also helps your home conserve energy by blocking the passage of air.
What do I Do
If you know that you are having major issues and you believe the moisture has caused some damage do not hesitate to call a professional. The professional can see what all needs to be fixed and how to do it. They should be able to give you a quote on what needs to be done. Don’t be afraid to call, it’s better to fix a problem when it is small rather than put it off and have a huge expense later. The underside of the home is the home’s roots, we need to make sure it is working properly to keep your home safe.
If you are having moisture problems with your home or have any crawlspace needs then give Your Crawl Space Guys a call.