Crawl spaces are common in homes around the world. In the USA alone, over 76 million homes are founded on crawl spaces. Despite the popularity, very few people check and improve the state of their home’s crawl spaces.
Being a utility zone means many homeowners only consider visiting the crawl spaces when there are issues. Thus, the area rarely receives the attention, maintenance, and care it deserves.
Many foundation problems begin in the crawl spaces before spreading to and affecting your house. That’s why you need to learn how to keep the area clean and safe, crawlspace encapsulation, and insulation.
This article covers the top five signs you need to look out for if your crawlspace needs encapsulation.
1. Unusually Elevated Heating and Cooling Bills
High energy bills can result from several factors. But, an uninsulated basement helps in the high energy consumption through cooling and heating.
The heat stack effect explains how warm and cold air enters and leaves your home. According to the phenomenon, winter pressure variations between the indoor and outdoor air, force cold air to flow into your home through the lower part, while warm air filters out via the top.
The reverse of the process is what happens in summer. The warm outdoor air seeps into your home through the top, pressing cold air out of the house via the bottom part. The stack heat effect becomes more pronounced if your basement has an open space to allow air exchange.
The high heat exchange due to the effect increases the need for your HVAC system to work extra hard to keep the temperatures in check. The extra effort your air conditioner puts translates to its energy consumption. That high consumption means you pay more on utility.
Considering the effect, encapsulating your home’s crawlspace helps regulate the outdoor air from sieving into your house. That way, you keep the temperatures under control during summer and winter.
Additionally, regulating outdoor and indoor air exchange controls the amount of energy your HVAC system needs to keep your home comfortable.
Since this isn’t the only cause of high energy bills, you may want to exhaust other possible reasons. Still, it’s a perfect way to begin solving the whole issue.
2. Mold and Moisture On the Walls and Floors
High humidity, water leaks, and condensation are among the top contributors to mold formation in homes. The crawlspaces are typically the prime targets for moisture buildups due to the concrete foundation.
Thus, it’s the first place to see the growth of mold if the moisture buildup becomes significant. Given the ease of water vapor movement, this moisture will quickly sieve through your porous concrete and spread to the walls and floors of your house.
The ground floor of your house will be the first to see the effects.
Moisture buildup easily compromises the quality of your building and won’t take long to shake its fundamentals. Therefore, the faster you deal with the problem, the safer it is for your home and family.
Likewise, the moisture and mold combined with the rising humidity form a perfect recipe for stale, musty odors. The unpleasant smells can quickly spread from your basement to other parts of the home.
While the causes of bad smells may be numerous, mold and moisture are the top offenders. One of the best ways of dealing with mold and moisture is to capsule the crawlspace of your home. After all, it’s where the whole problem begins.
3. Signs of Sweaty Windows and Glasses
Excessive sweaty mess on your windows and other glass parts of the house indicates high humidity around the home. In most cases, the sweat on window panes shows the presence of water vapor along the ends of the glass.
The moisture causes condensation that you see on the panes. Unfortunately, the condensation forming on your window panes could be going on inside your home’s walls as well.
The rise in humidity isn’t a good sign for your home, as it can cause walls to sink. However, you can solve the issue by hiring the best crawlspace professionals to encapsulate your homes’ basement.
4. High Levels of Radon
Radon is an inherently occurring radioactive gas that forms due to the decay of uranium in the soil. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Radon causes between 3% and 14% of all lung cancer cases in the country.
The organization further indicates that Radon escapes into the air from below the ground. The gas decays to form other radioactive particles that can damage the human DNA and cause cancer.
An open basement is among the most common routes Radon uses to access homes. You can seek professional help to detect the presence of Radon in your home if you’ve never done that before. Remember, the gas is invisible and odorless, meaning you can’t feel it when breathing.
If you notice an elevation in the levels of Radon, consider home crawlspace encapsulation. That will help you minimize the gas’ seeping into your home and save you from the dangers.
5. Insect and Mice Infestation
Pests, insects, and rodents can evade your home and turn it into theirs for several reasons. But, the biggest of them all is damp and humid environments. The moisture in your basement makes it a conducive living space for termites, which can significantly threaten your home’s foundation.
Additionally, rodents find moist and dark basements conducive to living and multiplying. The condition gets even better for them if you use the space to store food or hang around any loose materials.
Creating a vapor barrier around your house crawlspace will help you keep away the bugs, rodents, and other pests.
Crawlspace Encapsulation Protects Your Home, Pockets, and Family
Crawlspace encapsulation prevents the outdoor air from accessing your home, keeps off bugs, and discourages Radon from seeping into your house. That way, this single process keeps you and your family safe while also protecting your building.
On average, a professional crawlspace encapsulation will last you up to 10 years. That’s a decade of peace of mind, safety, and financial protection. Make the decision today. Our professionals are skilled and experienced in providing all crawlspace solutions.
Contact us today, and let’s protect your home from destructive moisture and gas.
ShareMAR