With as many as 14,000 Americans facing a water damage emergency each day, being proactive with your waterproofing is common sense. For most homeowners though, the crawlspace is “out of sight and out of mind.” A false sense of security takes over. We think things are fine and dry and then wonder “Where did the water come from?” when the damage is discovered. Let’s take a look at those sources of water and what to do about them.
Sources of Water: Our Vents
The original line of thinking in keeping our crawlspaces dry was to vent them. This line of thinking has shifted though over the years and we now see the tragic downfalls of circulating outside air. As the air warms in the seasons it holds more water. Factor in the humidity of the southern states and you have some water-logged air floating in your crawlspace. As the air outside cools and then meets the warmer air inside, the water vapor must go somewhere. It is released as condensation and the humidity level then skyrockets.
Sources of Water: The Earth
Crawlspaces are open to the earth below our homes. The earth itself is a holder of moisture and as the ground warms and cools that moisture can be released into our crawlspaces. We recommend our Closed Crawlspace System that uses a high-strength floor/wall liner called “Flex Seal” to completely close off the crawlspace from outside water sources. This includes moisture that comes from the earth beneath your home.
Sources of Water: Improper Drainage from Storms
2020 brought a record number of storms to the US with many of them hitting the Southeast region. 13 Hurricanes slammed us with torrential rainfall and flooding for many homes. Many of our homes saw massive amounts of rain and our gutters working overtime. Standing water around your home after smaller storms can lead to water damage in your crawlspace. Rainwater must be diverted to flow away from our foundations. If the water pools around your home it can easily seep into crawlspaces and begin degrading our home’s structure.
Slow But Steady Damage
Crawlspaces are small, uncomfortable, and sometimes a little scary so we tend to leave them alone. The problem is that even a little bit of moisture left untreated can cause major issues with your home. Even the smallest amount of moisture in our crawlspaces can cause thousands of dollars in damages if left unchecked. With as much as 40% of the air we breathe in our homes coming up from the crawlspace, our health and the health of our families can be threatened. Moisture creates a damp, dark, and warm environment in our crawlspaces which is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and fungus. The condensation that sits on the joists that hold our homes up beneath our feet can be destroyed causing thousands of dollars in foundation repair.
Aqua-Guard Can Help
At Aqua-Guard, we specialize in dry and are your experts at keeping those sources of water from infiltrating your crawlspace. We offer free estimates and can walk you through the best options for keeping your home dry, your foundation strong, and the air you breathe healthy. We offer both waterproofing options for your crawlspace and also crawlspace encapsulation. Contact us today for a free assessment of your crawlspace!