Here in the southeast, Atlanta and Buckhead residents have to follow certain rules to keep a damp crawlspace from overtaking their homes. A moist crawlspace can deteriorate the home’s structure, cause the home itself — and the living spaces — to become unbearably humid, and eventually, lead to mold problems that damage the home and trigger allergies and asthma. With so much at stake, it pays to maintain your crawlspace at all costs.
Humid Climates
For homes located in a mixed-humid climate like Georgia’s, it’s not uncommon for a crawlspace to be damp, especially if the space is vented. The sources of moisture include
- Standing water: If the space isn’t drained properly, or your plumbing leaks, water will pool in the space, increasing moisture levels.
- Having no vapor barrier: Builders commonly install a vapor barrier in crawlspaces to keep ground moisture out of the space. However, if it’s improperly installed or only covers part of the space, the humidity level in the crawlspace rises.
- A vented crawlspace: It used to be standard practice to vent a crawlspace; however, now experts generally agree that venting a crawlspace leads to the opposite effect: higher humidity levels. That’s because although the vent allows air circulation, it can’t compete with the high levels of moisture in the air throughout the majority of the year. (Vents may be successfully used in dry climates.)
Maintenance Is Key
You probably don’t frequent your home’s crawlspace very often, so it’s hard to know if there’s trouble stirring in the space. Often, homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until it’s too late. Namely, strange odors or discomfort in the home are the signals that cause Atlanta homeowners to investigate the problem.
If you suspect there’s a problem with the crawlspace, work with an expert to resolve the issue. In most cases, your service professional will suggest these solutions to dealing with a damp crawlspace:
- Closing the vent to keep moisture out of the space
- Installing a new drain or fixing the existing drain to prevent standing water from accumulating
- Encapsulating the crawlspace, the primary method experts use to address moisture; This method involves sealing the vents, installing a vapor barrier (which should include an effective seal around its joints and seams) insulating walls and the joists, and providing a form of conditioning to the space either through a dehumidifier, an exhaust fan, or the HVAC system.
With the right system in place to ward off moisture in the crawlspace, you can expect the encapsulated area to maintain a healthy humidity level. It’s possible to install a hygrometer in the space, too, so that you can read the humidity level, and be forewarned of rising moisture levels.
Investing in the health of your home pays off. An effective solution to a damp crawlspace, encapsulation and maintenance offers homeowners multiple benefits, including
- Better indoor air quality in the crawlspace and the home
- Higher energy efficiency; Studies by Advanced Energy show a drop in energy consumption when a home features an encapsulated, conditioned crawlspace
- Fewer animals will get into the space
- The floor, wood, and any other structural elements in the space last longer
- Better comfort in the home
Advanced Energy studies also show that maintenance is the key to a healthy crawlspace. The integrity of the air seal, insulation, drainage, and vapor barrier must be maintained over time.
For more information about crawlspace remedies or to have an expert evaluate your encapsulated crawlspace, contact Reliable Heating & Air today!
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons