If water collects in your crawl space after heavy rains, you've got problems. Even if you don't see water down there, it's important to keep moisture down in this critical part of your home. A wet crawl space could mean mold infestation, structural damage, pests, insects and more.
Start outside and make sure you have a good external drainage system. It can be as simple as doing some landscaping work to make sure the land is sloping away from your foundation. Make sure you have a good drainage system that leads water from the roof gutters all the way down and away from the yard. If you don't have your external drainage in order, water could be seeping into your crawl space from outside.
If you have water in your crawl space, figure out exactly where it's coming from. The water could be coming from outside or seeping up through the dirt floor. Foundation cracks in the wall or ceiling of the crawl space could be letting moisture in, or it could be coming back in through a storm drain. If you can fill these cracks and then dry out the crawl space, this may be all you need to do in order to control your crawl space humidity.
Installing a sump pump is a fairly easy and straightforward crawl space waterproofing solution. Many homeowners have sump pumps in their basements but never consider what it could do for their crawl spaces. A crawl space sump pump is just a smaller version of what you have in the basement. It draws down the water and pumps it safely away from your home's foundation.
You can also invest in crawl space dehumidifiers. These devices work by removing excess moisture from the air, which helps prevent mold growth and keeps the crawl space dry. Many modern dehumidifiers are energy-efficient and designed specifically for crawl spaces, making them a great investment for maintaining a healthy home environment.
The most comprehensive type of barrier is what's called crawl space encapsulation. This involves installing a barrier and sealing the crawl space completely to get rid of any moisture problems.
Pay close attention to your crawl space. It's a part of the house many homeowners don't think much about, but we all should. The air in your crawl space can have a serious effect on the air quality of your home and the health of everyone in it.
At Scaldino Basement Solutions we stands by New Jersey and Staten Island, NY families in their journey to achieving a healthier home. We promise to deliver the highest quality and oustanding customer service.
