Crawl Space Repair

The air in your home flows from the bottom to the top. Since warmer air rises, the air in your home moves up though your house as it gets heated. Once the air makes it up to the roof, it will normally be vented out though the soffits or ridge vents.

Where does the air in your home come from? Surprisingly, up to 50% of the air that you breathe on the first floor of your home is air that came directly from your crawl space. Therefore, whatever is in your crawl space air is in the air that you and your family are breathing.

Signs and Causes of a Wet Crawl Space

Many homes built on crawl space foundations suffer from poor moisture management. The Great Lakes area is especially susceptible to this problem. Some of the common symptoms of a crawl space moisture problem are:

• Mold or moisture damage in the crawl space or other areas of the house.
• Musty or unpleasant odors in the living areas of the house.
• Condensation or "sweating" on air conditioning ductwork or equipment.
• Condensation surfaces in the crawl space.
• Buckled hardwood floors.
• High humidity in the house.
• Insect infestations.
• Rot in wooden framing members.
• Open vents, which allow moist air to enter the crawl space.

Traditionally, crawl spaces had vents that were supposed to relieve excess moisture from the air, thereby keeping the crawl space dry. Experts now know that this does not work, but instead allows much more variation in humidity, creating much more moisture. That's why it is crucial to encapsulate, or completely seal off, the crawl space.

Why a Dry Crawl Space is Important

Moisture in your crawl space can lead to higher humidity in your living spaces, which will be uncomfortable and can lead to an increase in heating and cooling costs. The increase in moisture can also induce health issues related to mold and mildew spores throughout your home.

A wet crawl space also spreads damp and musty odors into your home and can cause cold tile and flooring above the crawl space. This can also lead to physical damage due to condensation on foundation walls and warped flooring above the crawl space. Crawl space encapsulation yields many benefits, including:

• Cost savings due to lower utility bills.
• Additional usable space for storage.
• Control over mold and mildew growth.
• Less risk for foundation weakening due to rotting.
• Reduced risk of rodent and insect infestations from your crawl space.

Crawl Space Solutions

ABS Foundation Services offers a full range of crawl space solutions, including full crawl space encapsulation, crawl space sump pumps, dehumidifiers, drainage systems, insulation, and more, to keep your crawl space as a clean and dry area.

The CleanSpace System by Basement Systems is one effective solution to seal your crawl space and prevent moisture from entering your home. The CleanSpace 20 mil vapor barrier will keep your home free of mold spores and moisture that enter through your crawl space, and it will help you save on energy costs by regulating the air temperature under your home.

If you're not sure where to start or you know you need professional help, call us today for a free crawl space inspection. We are more than happy to come out, take a look, and provide you with specific details on how to protect your home's crawl space from moisture.

Contact our experts for more details on our crawl space repair options and for a free consultation in the Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse areas.