When a crawl space is not properly vented and insulated, moisture can build up and cause water to seep into the home. This type of moisture intrusion is known as crawl space flooding, and it’s a common consequence of failing to maintain the area appropriately. Crawl spaces are unfriendly places for humans. They’re dark and full of creepy crawly insects such as spiders, beetles, and snakes. Even if you don’t live in an area with these creatures, you might find other things that creep you out, such as cockroaches or centipedes. In addition to being disgusting, these pests can chew on woodwork or insulation which can create problems if they start living in your crawl space. However, there are many things you can do to prevent this from happening; after all nothing scares away insects as much as a high-quality vapour barrier!
Install a Proper Insulation Layer
A crawl space is a type of attic that lies beneath the floor of a house and is used for ventilation and insulation. However, without a proper insulation layer, a crawl space can get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. This might not seem like a big deal until it’s time to install a new floor or do some other kind of repair under your house and you realize that the area is completely water-logged and disgusting. Installing the right kind of insulation is critical to maintaining a pleasant living space. Unlike the insulation that you find in attics, the insulation in a crawl space should be thick enough to keep the moisture out.
Fix the Vents
If your crawl space was built before 1976, it’s very likely that there are no vents on the floor. This is a huge mistake, as a crawl space is supposed to have vents on the floor that lead outside. If there are no vents, then moisture can’t escape and will eventually lead to a flooded crawl space. To prevent this, you need to install vents on the floor. If the vents aren’t working properly and aren’t getting enough air in or out, you can usually repair them by cleaning out any debris that is clogging them up and replacing any rusted parts.
Seal the Floor
If the floor in your crawl space is made of dirt, it may be time to consider covering it with a concrete floor. This will keep moisture out and greatly improve the suitability of your crawl space as a living area. If you’re not able to install a concrete floor, you could use some sort of plastic covering (like the plastic they use in the nursery) to keep the moisture out.
Re- humidify the Air
If you live in a very dry climate such as Arizona or New Mexico, the air in your crawl space might be too dry. This can cause problems for the wood in your crawl space and can lead to mould growth. You can put a humidifier in your crawl space to avoid these issues. A humidifier uses water to add humidity to the air and is usually installed near the floor so that it can be easily reached and maintained. To install a humidifier, you simply need to find a place near the floor in the crawl space that isn’t being used for anything else. Then you mount the humidifier on the wall and run a small line from it to the water source.
Install a Drain
Not only do you need to prevent moisture from entering your crawl space, but you also need a way to drain it out. Although it’s not the only option, a sump pump is the most widely used technique for doing this. A drainage system will be the best choice, but installing it is extremely costly and it takes time to make it. You might also attempt doing it yourself if you have the time and resources. Other ways to drain water out of your crawl space include installing a drainage system that pumps water out of your crawl space or installing a French drain to divert water away from your house. These methods are more effective than a sump pump, but they can be very expensive and aren’t always easy to do.
Encapsulating the Crawl Space
Encapsulation is the best crawl space waterproofing technique for keeping the crawl area safe. It will prevent moisture from entering, keep the area beneath your house dry, and make it harder for pests to enter. Request an evaluation from your contractor to see whether the crawl space is ready for encapsulation. Prior to sealing, expect some cleaning and minor repairs. Your contractor will double tape a 20-mil plastic vapour barrier that is thick to line the walls and floor of your crawl area. It will leave room for inspectors, such as pest control experts, to reach the top of the block walls. Your crawl space can endure any weather if there is a barrier in place that is this thick and secure.
Conclusion
A crawl space is a type of attic that lies beneath the floor of a house and is used for ventilation and insulation. Although they seem like they would be great places to play as a child, they are actually very dangerous places because they are prone to flooding. When a crawl space is not properly vented and insulated, moisture can build up and cause water to seep into the home. This type of moisture intrusion is known as crawl space flooding, and it’s a common consequence of failing to maintain the area appropriately. Crawl spaces are unfriendly places for humans. They’re dark and full of creepy crawly insects such as spiders, beetles, and snakes. In addition to being disgusting, these pests can chew on woodwork or insulation which can create problems if they start living in your crawl space. However, there are many things you can do to prevent this from happening; after all nothing scares away insects as much as a high-quality vapour barrier!
Apart from this if you are interested to know more about Top 8 Signs of Pest Infestations to Watch Out For then visit our Pest control category
