Summer brings a unique set of problems for the dark areas under our homes. The air is thick with humidity that loves to settle in cool, cramped spaces. When that warm, wet air hits the cooler pipes and wooden beams under your house, it turns into liquid water just like the sweat on a cold soda can. This hidden moisture is an invitation for mold to grow and for wooden floor joists to start sagging over time. Taking a moment to check on this forgotten part of your home now will save you from breathing in funky smells and dealing with expensive structural repairs later this year.
The Hidden Culprit of Summer Condensation
Many homeowners think that a damp crawl space must mean they have a plumbing leak. The real enemy is usually just the air itself. During a typical summer afternoon, the humidity outside can be incredibly high. If your foundation vents are wide open, that wet air flows right under your house. As the air cools down in the shade of your home, it can no longer hold all that moisture. So, the water clings to your insulation and wooden beams.
Sealing the Ground With a Vapor Barrier
A huge amount of the moisture in your crawl space comes straight out of the dirt floor through a process called evaporation. Even if the ground looks dry on top, the earth underneath is full of water that is constantly trying to rise up and fill the air under your house. You can stop this process in its tracks by laying down a thick sheet of plastic, known as a vapor barrier, over every inch of the exposed soil. If you leave even a small patch of dirt uncovered, it will act like a chimney that pours humidity into the space and ruins all your hard work.
The Importance of Proper Air Movement
Keeping the humid air out is the best way to keep the area dry. If you live in a place where the humidity stays high all season, you might need a heavy-duty dehumidifier designed specifically for cramped spaces to pull the water out of the air. These machines work tirelessly to keep the humidity levels below 50%. This is the magic number that prevents mold from ever getting a foothold.
Check to make sure your clothes dryer vent is not leaking hot, wet air directly into the crawl space. That is like pumping a tropical storm under your living room. A dry and breezy crawl space stays healthy and keeps the rest of your home smelling fresh and clean.
Checking Your Gutters and Downspouts
Sometimes the water under your house is from a rainstorm that was not handled correctly by your roof system. If your gutters are clogged or your downspouts drop water right next to the foundation, that liquid will seep through the blocks and pool under your floorboards. Make sure your downspouts carry water at least six feet away from the house so that it drains into the yard instead of under your feet.
Taking control of the moisture beneath your feet is a powerful way to protect the structure and air quality of your entire home. You stop the silent cycle of rot and mold before it can take hold.
For professional crawl space moisture prevention services in Troy, OH, connect with Complete Detail Cleaning & Restoration today.
