Moisture in your crawl space can lead to musty odors, high humidity, mold growth, wood rot, and damage to materials beneath your home. Even when you don’t see standing water, excess moisture can create problems over time.
At Jerry’s Waterproofing, we help homeowners identify the source of crawl space moisture and determine the right solution. Learn what causes a damp crawl space, signs to watch for, and how vapor barriers and other crawl space solutions can help protect your home.
What Causes Moisture in a Crawl Space?
The rainy summers and snowy winters in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa can wreak havoc on your crawl space, and the high water table can cause water to pool under the crawl space and enter through cracks. Additionally, this area of the Midwest sits on expansive clay soil that swells when its wet and shrinks when it’s dry, putting extra pressure on foundations. This pressure is often too much for a foundation to handle, leading to cracks and water intrusion. All of these factors combined create a perfect recipe for moisture in your crawl space.
What Are the Signs of Crawl Space Moisture?
There are many potential signs of excess moisture in your crawlspace, including:
- Cold upper-level floors during winter
- Rusty metal appliances
- Insect infestation or rodents
- Pooling water
- Wet, damp crawl space floor
- Wet insulation
- Open crawl space vents
- Respiratory issues
- Peeling paint on the home’s exterior
- High radon levels
- Wood rot
- Efflorescence on crawl space walls
- Condensation on ductwork and pipes
- Crawl space mold and mildew growth
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact a professional for an inspection. A waterproofing contractor can let you know what solution will work best for your specific situation.
Crawl Space Encapsulation as a Solution
Vapor barriers and crawl space encapsulation are designed to prevent water from entering a crawl space. Jerry’s Waterproofing uses vapor barriers made by Earth Contact Products (ECP). These barriers are made from an impermeable material that reduces the amount of moisture allowed into the space, stopping the movement of water vapor.
The ECP product used will provide years of service. The material provides the best strength-to-weight ratio and has the highest tensile strength and tear resistance of any product in the industry.
Keeping your home healthy starts from the ground up. Keeping your crawl space dry creates a healthy environment for you and your home.
Calling a professional about your crawl space’s moisture will assure you that the products and equipment are of the highest quality. Trying to waterproof a crawl space yourself will cost you time and money in the long run.
Inexpensive vapor retarders sold in hardware stores are usually six mils thick—too thin to keep moisture out. They also frequently tear and puncture, leaving them useless.
Jerry’s Waterproofing uses products ranging from 10-mil to 16-mil thick. Not only are they thicker, but the woven material makes them stronger than poly sheeting.
Benefits of a Vapor Barrier
Vapor barriers can improve your quality of life and the value of your home. Beyond the obvious function of providing moisture control, a vapor barrier has several additional benefits, including:
- Keeping the Elements Out: By reducing ground moisture, a vapor barrier can help create conditions that are less favorable for mold growth, wood deterioration, and moisture-related crawl space problems.
- Moisture Control: Reducing moisture beneath your home can help control humidity and musty odors associated with a damp crawl space.
- Energy Efficiency: A crawlspace with too much moisture will have high humidity. High humidity causes your HVAC system to work harder, and when your HVAC works harder, energy bills are bound to go up.
Jerry’s Waterproofing Helps Keep Your Crawl Space Dry
If you’re noticing moisture, standing water, musty odors, or other problems in your crawl space, Jerry’s Waterproofing can help identify the source and recommend the right solution for your home. Contact us today to request a free estimate in Eastern Nebraska or Western Iowa.