While Autumn often means cooler days, football games, and the crunch of leaves on the way to the bus stop, this time can also mean trouble for often forgotten spaces like your crawl space. Richmond’s rainy summer season can make Fall a time when your crawl space is most at risk for moisture and mold.
Noticing musty smells, elevated humidity levels, or cupping floors in your home? It may be a sign that it’s time to look at your crawl space.Excess moisture in your crawl space can lead to mold growth, wood rot,structural issues, higher utility bills, poor indoor air quality which can lead to respiratory issues, and even bug infestations. With many of us spending so much more time in our homes nowadays, it’s of absolute importance to ensure its integrity is contributing to our health and well-being.
While acute weather conditions can worsen existing issues in your home, if weather is able to penetrate to the interior of your home, it’s a symptom of a larger, more complex issue that will require a permanent fix. As a home ages, waterproofing on its foundation can begin to fail, allowing water to infiltrate the space. Another issue commonly seen is porous concrete and concrete block, which allow any standing water around the outside of the home to leak inside.
The Fall is a good time for crawl space repairs because the weather is typically drier. The repairs could also help reduce heating and cooling costs. Here are ways Tredegar Construction can help you resolve issues via 2 types of crawl spaces:
Vented crawl spaces were designed to allow for air to flow through the foundation vents to keep these spaces cool and dry in the summer.However, the frequently exposed dirt floor and our humid environment inVirginia causes damp air to enter this space and it doesn't always dry out as planned. This can cause a host of problems including mold and mildew formation,poor indoor air quality, and unwanted pests.
Vented Crawl Space solutions can include any combination of the following:
∙Remove debris, old damaged insulation, and ripped vapor barriers
∙Scrub floor framing system with Shockwave to kill mildew and mold
∙Install new fiberglass batt insulation in joist cavities
∙Install new vapor barrier
∙Install sump pump for bulk water displacement
∙Yard grading and gutter work to solve the problem causing the bulk water
∙Rebuild crawl space door
Conditioned Crawl Spaces also known as"Encapsulated" or "Unvented" crawl spaces are our recommended solution for giving a more long term solution to your crawl space problem. This process includes insulating the crawl space walls, sealing the crawl space floor, and installing a dehumidification system or supplying conditioned air from your HVAC system to help remove the moisture from the air.
Benefits of a Conditioned Crawl Space can include:
∙Cleaner indoor air quality
∙Humidity and moisture control
∙Energy savings
∙Pest Deterrence
∙Improved comfort
∙Reduced Allergens
Conditioned Crawl Space solutions can include any combination of the following:
∙Remove debris, old damaged insulation, and ripped vapor barriers
∙Scrub floor framing system with Shockwave to kill mildew and mold
∙Spray closed cell foam insulation to the foundation walls
∙Fill ban/rim cavity with R-19 batt insulation, so termite inspections can still be conducted
∙Install 10 mil vapor barrier with all seams and edges sealed
∙Install foam board on the backside of the crawl space access
∙Install dehumidification system or add supply vent to ductwork in crawl
∙Install sump pump for bulk water displacement
∙Yard grading and gutter work to solve the problem causing the bulk water
Want to learn more about Tredegar Construction's crawl space solutions? Visit our page here.
OUR SERVICE AREAS: Tredegar Construction provides crawl space solutions in the Richmond, Virginia metro area and surrounding counties like: Ashland, Charles City County, Chester, Chesterfield County, City of Richmond, Colonial Heights, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Hopewell, King William County, New Kent County, Petersburg, Powhatan County and more! Don't see your area listed? Reach out! We may serve your area!
