Moisture in your crawl space can cause unwelcome issues in your home. High humidity and an unpleasant mold and mildew smell can make your house uncomfortable. Not only that, these issues can affect your health. And if water damage worsens, it can create more severe foundation problems, rot the floor joists and subflooring of your home, or harm electrical components in the area.
At Jerry’s Waterproofing, we believe that knowing the signs of unwanted moisture and having quality crawl space repair will help keep your home in top shape for years. Learn the causes and signs of crawl space moisture and why a vapor barrier is often an ideal solution.
Why Is My Crawl Space Damp?
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: A vapor barrier helps keep moisture out, preventing the growth of mold, wood rot, and pest infestations. Therefore, it makes your home safer for you and your family. It also protects your home’s piping and electrical wiring.
- Improved Air Quality: Some of the air in your house comes from the air under your home. Keeping your crawlspace free of mold and mildew creates a cleaner, breathing environment for the whole house.
- 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.
- Usable Space: A wet and moldy crawl space can feel like a wasted space. However, properly protected with a vapor barrier, it can give you the extra square footage you need for storage.
Jerry’s Waterproofing Helps Keep Your Crawl Space Dry
A clean, dry crawl space is key to keeping your home’s structure in shape. Jerry’s Waterproofing offers premium vapor barriers and other effective waterproofing solutions to prevent damage to your foundation. Contact us today for a free quote.