It is commonly known that mold and mildew can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks. You may also know that basements and crawl spaces are great places for mold and mildew to grow because of the abundant moisture present in most of these spaces. This is the case because basements are underground and moisture from the surrounding soil seeps into the home through the walls and floor.
If you did know this, are you also aware of the “stack effect?” This can be described as the tendency for airflow to cycle upward (as in a chimney). Due to this phenomenon, the moist, spore-filled air in the basement and crawl space travels up and throughout a home. This effect is especially prominent during the winter months because when you are heating your home as the warm air will rise upward.
Moisture in a crawl space can cause several issues other than allergy and asthma attacks. These issues include rotting wooden floor joists, musty smells, and pests entering the home. Rotted floor joists can lead to more costly joist replacements and sagging floor support systems. Musty smells can be uninviting and unbearable in confined spaces. Finally, it is common for unsealed crawl spaces to be full of bugs, mice, and other pests. This is unsanitary and also presents an opportunity for these animals to enter your living space.
Crawl space encapsulation is the only solution that will permanently isolate a crawl space from outside elements. This process involves installing CleanSpace Liner throughout the entire crawl space. CleanSpace is a 20-millimeter-thick plastic liner comparable to swimming pool liner. It also is mold-resistant so it will never support mildew or mold growth on its surface. The bright white liner instantly improves the appearance of the crawl space and is tough enough to crawl on. Once your crawl space is encapsulated with CleanSpace, it will be the ideal area to use for storage. Why waste a perfectly clean, healthy and functional spot in your home?
The CleanSpace system works well with drainage matting; SmartSump, a specially designed crawl space sump pump; and SmartPipe, a perimeter drainage system for crawl spaces. These are all products Ohio Basement Authority can install to create a full, permanent solution for a damp and dirty crawl space.
Winter is on its way and that will be an ideal time to protect your family against mold, mildew, and pests lurking in the crawl space. However, any time is a great time to create a healthier home and living environment for you and your family.
How would you like to save some money on your energy bills this winter? Closing and encapsulating your crawl space is the easiest way to do so. You are wasting your money if you open your crawl space vents because this causes major energy penalties. Cold air will be vented into the crawl space during the winter, causing the above floors to also be cold and for the heating system to work extra hard to create the comfortable atmosphere you desire. The same thing happens with warmer summertime air and overly-taxed cooling systems.
Your best solution is to close those crawl space vents by covering them with vent covers. These plastic covers will not rust, rot or need paint. They permanently attach to the exterior foundation walls with drilled-in fasteners and have foam insulation and gasket material to completely seal off the outside air.
Vent covers are the perfect complement to the CleanSpace crawl space encapsulation system that isolates the home from the earth. If you are concerned with the air quality or humidity of your crawl space, we can install the powerful but energy-efficient SaniDry CX dehumidifier.
Additional options that keep the outside air out of the crawl space are EverLast Crawl Space Doors and the Turtl entry well.
If you would like to improve the health of your home, save money on utilities, and gain valuable storage space, contact Ohio Basement Authority for a free, no-obligation inspection. Our expert team can give you peace of mind knowing your loved ones will have a healthier place to live!