If your home has a crawlspace, you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it, but you probably should. Crawlspace encapsulation is the process of sealing the surface between the ground and the floor of your home with a thick, durable and airtight synthetic sheeting. Moisture that gets into your crawlspace can actually lead to a lot of problems in your home, including introducing mold spores into the rest of your home. You may be wondering about the types of issues that can allow moisture to get into your crawlspace.
- Earth Floor. Because most crawlspaces have an earthen floor, ground moisture can evaporate into the space, especially if you have not had crawlspace encapsulation done.
- Improper Grading. The ground near your home should be sloped away from the home in order to prevent rainwater or groundwater from entering the crawlspace.
- Lack of Rain Gutters. If your home has never had rain gutters installed or the existing rain gutters are no longer performing their function adequately, runoff from a good rain can allow water into your crawlspace.
- Cracks in the Foundation. As your home ages, settling can occur, leading to cracks in the foundation and eventual seepage of water into your crawlspace.
- Poor Ventilation. Believe it or not, inadequate ventilation in the crawlspace can compound any existing water problem by creating a mix of cool and warm air, which results in surface condensation. Mold growth, termites and even structural damage can occur over time when building materials are subjected to moisture.
Failure to have crawlspace encapsulation done on your home could lead to mold, pests and structural damage caused by water. If you would like more information on crawlspace encapsulation or to set up an inspection, please give us a call at AdvantaClean of Lake Norman, Hickory and Gastonia today!