Ventilated Crawl Spaces Can Cause Moisture and Mold in Your Home.

Many homes in New Jersey were built with crawl spaces. Unfortunately most crawl spaces have vents that permit air to flow through them, and theoretically, for moisture to escape. But new crawl space science now proves that ventilation is actually contributing to excessive moisture and all the problems associated with moisture such as mold and mildew, wood rot, corrosion, cold floors, excessive energy loss and poor indoor air quality. In 2004, the IOM (Institute of Medicine) found sufficient evidence to link exposure to damp indoor environments in general to upper respiratory tract symptoms such as coughing, and wheezing in otherwise healthy people and with asthma symptoms in people with asthma. In addition, a 2010 study by WJ Fisk at the  Indoor Environment Department at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory concluded that residential dampness and mold are associated with substantial and statistically significant increases in both respiratory infections and bronchitis. 

Moisture in a crawl space can also lead to some very unwelcome houseguests such as cockroaches, mice, rats and termites. As you can see in the photo from a recent crawl space repair in Lake Como, NJ, the dirt and mess can become home to a variety of pests. An infestation of subterranean termites can be devastating. It’s estimated that termites cause $5,000,000,000 in property damage every year.

What can a homeowner do if they have a vented crawl space? Encapsulating their crawl space with a vapor barrier, along with sealing all the vents, can reduce moisture issues and increase the homes energy efficiency. In high humidity areas, a dehumidifier might be recommended as well. Crawl space encapsulation is today’s standard in building design for homes with crawl spaces. By encapsulating a homes crawl space, the homeowner can experience:

• Fewer pest problems
• Improved air quality throughout the home and perhaps even relief from mold and mildew allergy symptoms.
• Reduced energy loss
• More appealing, cleaner look to the crawl space
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Learn more about crawl space science and encapsulation or call 1-732-897-9553 for a free inspectionand estimate.