When it comes to home performance, uncontrolled moisture is a real concern. Life along Maryland’s Eastern Shore includes a lot of moisture, especially during the warm, humid summer months. And because moisture comes from the air and from the earth, one of the most common places for moisture to collect and do its worst is in the crawl space.
“Ok, but should I seal my crawl space?” you ask. Yes, you should. All crawl spaces should be completely sealed and isolated from moisture in the air and from the ground. Here’s why.
The Problem with Your Crawl Space
An unsealed crawl space becomes a haven to all kinds of undesirable conditions, which is why crawl spaces have earned such a bad name. Left alone, a crawl space can become a homeowner’s nightmare, sending horrors upward toward your living area that you may not even be aware of.
Moisture
Moisture creates opportunities for mold and mildew growth. Mold degrades your indoor air quality, creating an environment that is extremely unhealthy for you and your family. Moisture also leads to rot, which will degrade your wood structure and warp floorboards. If you are experiencing moisture or humidity issues throughout your Maryland home be sure to speak with us about one of our Moisture & Humidity Assessments.
Insects and Rodents
An unsealed crawl space attracts insect and rodent infestations.
Energy Inefficiency
An untreated crawl space lets conditioned air out while allowing outdoor air in. Your heating and cooling systems must work overtime to compensate, and you’ll still feel cold floors and uneven temperatures in your home. It’s hard on your systems and burns more fuel, resulting in higher utility bills.
Improve Your Whole Home with Crawl Space Encapsulation
With our years of experience, we know exactly how crawl spaces can help or harm a home. At Total Home Performance, we know just what to do to create a clean, dry space that you can live with.
1. Inspection
Every crawl space is unique, so before crawl space encapsulation, we’ll inspect the area for insects or pests, as well as any groundwater situations and ensure these are addressed first.
2. Air Sealing & Insulation
It was once thought that crawl spaces should be vented to allow moisture to move out of the area. However, these vents allow just as much moisture to move in, and its presence is detrimental to your home. This is why we air seal the entire space and install insulation to keep air and heat from moving freely through your crawl space.
3. Vapor Barrier
After cleaning and sealing the area, we apply a sturdy vapor barrier to the floor and walls, ensuring a good fit around pipes, vents and plumbing.
4. Dehumidifier
Last, a crawl space dehumidifier ensures the air in the crawl space stays at a constant and acceptable humidity level at all times.
5. French Drain Installation
If water is a seasonal or consistent issue with your crawlspace, waterproofing the space with an exterior french drain installation is likely needed.
As always, the experts at Total Home Performance will assess your particular situation and needs and present you with the best solution--all while being the only contractor on the Eastern Shore able to offer Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® rebates for crawl space services.
Total Home Performance: Crawl Space Experts
If you’re ready to have your crawl space encapsulated, the certified professionals at Total Home Performance are ready to help. We’ll help you and your family enjoy the benefits for years to come with a lower utility bills and a healthier, safer and more comfortable home.