Crawlspace Waterproofing Benefits You Should Know

If you are a homeowner who has a crawlspace, there are some facts that you should know about the benefits of crawlspace waterproofing. You probably do not go into the crawlspace very often, unless you have many plumbing problems and need access to your plumbing. There are not many other reasons to get into that space, so chances are, it is an ignored space, most of the time. Armed with these facts, you will be able to make an informed decision about waterproofing the space.

There Are Three Ways That Water Gets Into The Crawlspace

• Condensation
• Water from the soil
• Water leaks caused by plumbing issues

About Half Of The Air From The Crawlspace Finds Its Way Upstairs

You already know that moisture causes mold. When your crawl space has moisture, you can count on mold forming. It might not seem like a big deal since you stay out of the crawlspace anyway. However, the air from the crawlspace does not remain confined to the crawlspace. As much as half of the air from the crawlspace finds its way into your home. It means that much of the air that you are breathing inside your home has come from your crawl space. If it is healthy, that is not a problem. When you have moisture issues and mold in the space, then you are breathing in mold spores. These can cause several ailments, including the following:

• Headaches
• Coughs
• Sniffles
• A stuffy nose
• Skin rashes
• Wheezing
• Asthma
  

Pests Love Wet Crawlspaces

If you are not fond of rats, mice, spiders, insects, and snakes, you are not going to be happy to learn that they all love moving into a wet crawl space. Even this might not be a problem if they stayed in the crawlspace, but chances are they will not. They may enjoy venturing upstairs to your home and paying a visit.

If any of the above facts caused you a minute of concern, it is time to call crawlspace inspection. Trained technicians will come out to check out and diagnose water issues. They will then take care of them, so the space stays dry, and you never have to worry about mold, pests, or unhealthy air from the crawl space seeping into your home. 

Five Important Questions To Ask Your Crawlspace Waterproofing Contractor

 Crawlspace waterproofing is important for creating a safe, pest-free home. Hiring a professional contractor is the first step towards ensuring the waterproofing is done right. The following are some questions you should ask your waterproofing contractor to ensure that the waterproofing will be up to standard.

1. Will you be including vents in the crawlspace?

In the past, crawl spaces were required to have vents. However, this is no longer a requirement. In fact, you are encouraged to avoid having a vented crawlspace. This is because vents encourage the accumulation of water in the crawlspace. If you want to keep your crawlspace dry, go with complete encapsulation of the crawlspace to keep the elements out.

2. Does the barrier meet requirements for insulation?

This is especially important for an unvented crawlspace. The barrier will make up the walls of the crawlspace. It should therefore provide thermal insulation for the crawlspace. This will prevent the home from losing heat in winter and gaining too much heat during the summer.

The barriers that contractors use should meet specific insulation requirements. The IRC sets the R values at between R-5 and R-20. The particular R value for the insulation chosen for your home will depend on the local building code requirements in your area.

3. Does the door meet building code requirements?

Many people like to use their crawlspaces for storage. This means that you should be able to access the space. A crawlspace door may be installed for this. This door should meet building code requirements.

The size of the door should be no less than 18 by 24 inches. If your crawlspace will have mechanical equipment, the door should be large enough to accommodate the entry and removal of this equipment. This is important for the preservation of the walls after waterproofing.

4. Will you install a vapor retarder on the crawlspace floor?

The crawlspace floor should be sealed as part of the waterproofing process. This often involves the installation of a high-performance vapor retarder. This retarder will help to prevent ground water from entering the crawl space. A good retarder should be no less than 6-mil.

5. How will you take care of service lines in the crawlspace?

If there are service lines running through the crawl space they may need some sort of insulation. This is especially true for HVAC lines that may form condensation and introduce moisture into the crawl space. The contractor should have a way to deal with these service lines.