While the crawlspace is one of the most imperative parts of a home, they are often overlooked concerning your preparation for the hot summer heats. The crawlspace, when it is used properly designed by the homeowner, can serve as the best way to provide insulation between the ground and the home. For this reason, you will always be protected from the excessive heat in the summers and keep you warm during the winter season. We have all seen how imperative it is to have the crawlspace maintained in a home setup. Its importance is not just seen during the summer but also during the winter.
However, many problems can arise in a home if you don’t maintain your crawlspace properly. Some of these problems are can also be worse than just energy loss. Too much humidity can be stored in a crawlspace. For this reason, it can end up resulting in the growth of molds in that region. As a matter of fact, most homeowners never check for regular crawlspace maintenance as a way to eliminate most problems associated with that action. To be sure that the crawlspace is both unlikely to develop the mold growths and energy efficient, few things need to be done.
1. Humidity Monitoring
The primary indicator that a problem is developing n the crawlspace is the level of humidity in that region. If there is too much humidity in that region, it is a clear indicator that the surface surrounded by the crawlspace will form moisture. According to the Crawlspace Depot, they look at this situation as a way of letting air escape into the home. When these surfaces are generated with moisture, they often begin to rot and rust. For this reason, mold will eventually begin to develop on the surfaces. Moist air in a home makes it feel warm. For this reason, they will lower the thermostat temperature for increased comfort. The homeowner will need a hygrometer to test for humidity in a home. Thermo-hygrometers are devices that measure both humidity and temperature. Modern hygrometers are devices that make those readings and store them for later use. You can place that device on the crawlspace for problems associated with humidity.
2. Vapor Barrier
“A vapor barrier should be installed in the crawlspace to prevent moisture from forming in the space from the ground,” said Crawlspace Depot. In essence, a vapor barrier can be described as a plastic sheet that is placed on the ground under the home basements. This plastic sheet should be properly sealed to prevent any form of air movement. To make a string barrier, the can be laid side by side. However, the solid sheeting is often effective. The sheeting should also be sealed to the crawlspace walls to prevent movement of air. A vapor barrier, once in place, will restrict the movement of air from the ground through the crawlspace. Both temperature and humidity will be stabilized.
3. Insulation
The climate of the region also determines the point where the insulation is placed on the crawlspace. In areas that have prolonged freezing weather periods, the walls around the space should be insulated. During the cold season, the walls around the crawlspace will offer proper insulation from the weather, the crawlspace, by sealing out the cold, acts as a warm air pocket under the home to reduce winter heating costs significantly. In the warmer climates, the home should also be insulated between floor joists. Energy losses will also be prevented by insulating the joints under the floor boards. For this reason, air can move easily between the crawlspaces.
4. Air Movement
While the vapor barriers offer the best way to protect moisture from entering from the ground to the home through the crawlspace, some moisture will always be seen on the crawlspaces. Some air movement is often necessary to deal with this action in the warm climates. Air movement is also important. Vents can also be placed on the walls between the crawlspaces to facilitate controlled air flow. Better vents are those with the capability to be opened and closed at will to deal with heat and moisture effectively. According to the hygrometer readings, these vents can be adjusted. In the moist conditions, you will need a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture in the crawlspace.
