Crawl space waterproofing is one of the best things you can do to protect your home from moisture damage and airborne contaminants. Did you know that over 40% of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home comes from your crawl space? This means that keeping it dry and clean is very important!
Crawl spaces are often overlooked, but they’re a critical part of maintaining a safe and healthy home environment. That is especially true for our neighbors here in the South, where humidity can increase the moisture in any home.
At First Call, we are proud to offer reliable crawl space encapsulation to help our communities in the Triad region of North Carolina stay safe and dry at home. Here are three ways our crawl space waterproofing service can benefit your home.
3 Ways Our Waterproofing Benefits Your Home
1. Improve Indoor Air Quality
A damp crawl space can easily become a haven for mold and mildew growth. The mold spores then travel up into your home and cause respiratory and other health issues for your family. Excess water also attracts bugs and rodents, who can begin living in your walls or crawl space. That then leads to more health and structural problems for your house.
With our crawl space encapsulation, we provide a vapor barrier that keeps moisture out and prevents mold growth. Cleaner air means a healthier environment for everyone inside your home.
2. Prevent Pest Infestations
Crawl spaces tend to attract unwanted pests and rodents. Dark, damp areas are especially inviting to insects and small animals looking for shelter. When you add barriers to keep out moisture, you also block the entrances, making it harder for those bugs and rodents to make their way into the space.
One of the most important pests a waterproof barrier keeps out is termites. Termites need water to thrive in an environment. If your crawl space is humid or wet, it can become an ideal breeding ground for these devastating pests. By waterproofing your crawl space, you’re safeguarding your home against potential infestations that can harm your home’s structure.
3. Protect Your Home’s Structure
Termites aren’t the only thing that can threaten your home’s integrity when your crawl space is retaining water. Excess moisture in your crawl space can lead to wood rot, foundation damage, and other structural problems that may be costly to repair.
Waterproofing your crawl space helps regulate and manage moisture levels, ensuring your home’s foundation stays strong and secure over time. Think of it as protecting your investment. Your home deserves a solid foundation for years to come, and our crawl space encapsulation can help you achieve that!
Frequently Asked Questions About Crawl Space Encapsulation
Apart from the obvious question, “Why is it important to keep a crawl space dry?” there are a couple of common questions we hear from customers about our crawl space encapsulation service. We want to take a minute to answer a few of those here:
What is Crawl Space Waterproofing?
Crawl space waterproofing is basically another name for crawl space encapsulation. It is the process of protecting the area beneath your home from excess moisture and water intrusion. This typically involves sealing and insulating the crawl space to prevent water from seeping in, from outside or from within the home.
Vapor barriers are the most important part of waterproofing, but there are a few things that need to happen before and after those barriers are installed to make sure the encapsulation is a success.
Does a Crawlspace Affect Air Quality in Your Home?
Does an Encapsulated Crawl Space Need a Dehumidifier?
Yes, an encapsulated crawl space often needs a dehumidifier to stay as dry as possible, especially in humid environments. While encapsulation with vapor barriers significantly reduces moisture infiltration, it doesn’t remove all the humidity.
A dehumidifier helps regulate humidity levels and keep the environment dry. This helps achieve the goals of preventing mold growth, wood rot, and other issues caused by excess moisture. After installing the vapor barriers, we will choose and install the right kind of dehumidifier for your home.
How Hard Is It to Encapsulate a Crawl Space on Your Own?
Encapsulating a crawl space on your own can be a challenging task that requires careful planning and the right tools. The process involves cleaning the area, sealing cracks, and installing vapor barriers. Sometimes it’s necessary to work with an HVAC company to add ventilation or insulation. You also have to safely install a dehumidifier that can run without constant monitoring.
Without proper experience, it’s easy to miss critical steps or improperly install materials. This can lead to ongoing moisture problems. Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure the encapsulation is done correctly and effectively.
Make Protecting Your Home a Priority this Year with Help from First Call
Through our crawl space encapsulation, we provide lasting waterproofing protection for your house. For over 25 years, we have been helping our fellow North Carolinians enjoy their homes without worrying about any unseen dangers or threats below the surface. We are ready to do the same for you!
Don’t wait until small issues become big problems. Contact us today to learn more about how our crawl space waterproofing solutions can benefit your home.
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Sources:
U.S. EPA, “Mold,” https://www.epa.gov/mold
