Many homeowners are advised against doing crawlspace waterproofing on their own. This is since many sub-floor problems that can cause major damage to your home can only be fixed by professionals. Crawl space leaks are not something that you can fix by yourself. There are too many complicated issues that must be addressed before you will ever be able to successfully crawl space repairs. In addition, the grade of your crawl space doesn’t necessarily have to be ideal to fix your problems.
The role of a crawl space is to keep the home off the ground. Depending on various sizes and weight capacities, a sagging crawl space can be repaired – using screw jacks. Screw jacks are versatile and allow the user to adjust floors in hard-to-reach areas with limited access. Learn more about – crawl space repair methods.
High Humidity:
High humidity levels in the crawl spaces affect the temperature throughout the rest of the house, even making it feel warmer or cooler than it really should be. This also makes it very hard to maintain indoor air quality, which is especially important for families with young children. If high humidity is causing problems in your home, crawl space waterproofing should be one of the first things you are checking out when you get ready to sell.
Encapsulation:
One of the most popular methods of crawlspace waterproofing is encapsulation. With encapsulation, you will be able to reduce the amount of water in your basement without having to use high humidity solutions. These systems work by creating a physical barrier along the inside of the walls that will help keep any water away from the foundation of the home. Most basement waterproofing systems will use some sort of granular sealer to accomplish this task.
Presence of Mold:
Crawl spaces get moldy because they’re humid, and mold can rot wood and, over time, cause structural damage. Mold can also make you sick, and most people don’t know that a certain amount of crawl space air makes its way into your home’s living area. So are you wondering how much mold in a crawl space is acceptable?
Another reason to consider a complete crawlspace waterproofing system is the presence of mold. Mold is not only unsightly, but it can also cause serious health issues. If it is left untreated, it can make people quite sick, and in some cases, cause death. A good encapsulation system will be applied to not only the crawl space but the entire home.
Wetness and Condensation:
Crawl spaces are being used for so many different reasons today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep them clear of these unwanted conditions. Wetness and condensation are not only inconvenient, but they can be dangerous.
Not only can the condensation cause mold growth, but it can also bring about problems with indoor air quality. The moisture, along with all the spores, will cause various types of allergies and health problems.
Seal Your Crawl Space:
Sealing your crawl space will help keep out dampness, moisture, and mold spores. It will also prevent structural damage to the foundation. Once you have sealed your crawl space, then you will need to do routine maintenance to make sure it stays clean. You should never seal a structure if there is any structural damage to the foundation. To determine the extent of the structural damage, you will need to hire a professional to inspect it. This inspection should occur before and after you seal your crawl space.
Inspection:
Once your crawl space has been sealed, you will need to periodically have it inspected for signs of mold, moisture, and structural damage. Even though the outside may look clean, it might still harbor unhealthy conditions. Crawlspace waterproofing is an important process to complete before you begin using your space. If you are looking for a way to extend the life of your building, this is a critical step that must be followed.
