Did you know that high moisture readings and/or water in a crawlspace may cause as much damage to the foundation of your structure as a termite infestation and over time may cause structural issues.
NEW-TEC believes that there is usually more than one solution to every moisture problem. This is why our technicians are trained in both crawlspace ventilation and crawlspace encapsulation.
Steps a homeowner can take to reduce moisture problems:
- Plumbing should be checked for leaks and repaired if necessary
- A/C duct lines should be properly insulated to reduce condensation
- Moisture Barrier covering 100% of the crawlspace floor should be put down (if high moisture levels exist, a moisture barrier should be put down in stages to avoid warping of floors or walls)
- Downspouts and drip lines should be diverted away from the foundation
- Exterior grade of home should slope away from structure
- Shrubs and bushes should be cut back to allow for proper air flow
- Foundation should have one vent for every 150 square feet of crawlspace
Crawlspace Ventilation
PROS
- Most homes already have ventilation and therefore it is usually less expensive to correct ventilation issues than to encapsulate the crawlspace.
- Vented crawlspaces have been utilized for over 65 years by the building industry as an effective way to control moisture in the crawlspace.
- Won’t interfere with termite coverage on home.
- No cost to operate unless fans are required to aid in air movement (with fan costs are around $25 per year)
CONS
- There are several requirements that need to be met for ventilation to work: crawlspace must have room for adequate airflow, shrubs and bushes must be at least 5 feet from structure, and exterior grade must prevent water from pooling around and in the crawlspace.
Crawlspace Encapsulation
PROS
- Can be done to most homes.
- Keeps humidity and air flow out of the crawlspace reducing the likelihood of moisture and condensation.
- Helps to keep insects and rodents out of the crawlspace.
- Makes crawlspace look nice.
CONS
- May interfere and/or void termite coverage on home.
- Expensive to install
- May interfere with work being done in the crawlspace, such as plumbing and electrical repairs
- Can cost close to $300 per year to operate
- Dehumidifiers will only last 3 to 15 years and then need to be replaced as well as paying for maintenance on the system. Most dehumidifiers that are for crawlspace use cost $750.00 to over $2000 depending on size of crawlspace.