
One of the more stressful things you can experience as a homeowner is water-related damage. You’ve made the commitment by investing in updating your home but you have noticed a mold and mildew issue emanating from the crawl space below your home. Maybe it is a plumbing issue or standing water from rain or high ground water. You know there is a problem and in my experience it is often a problem with crawl space insulation and ventilation. If you notice a lot of moisture in your crawl space, try checking the vent covers, that is usually where the problem lies in my experience. However, before you start digging around the house and attempt to insulate crawl space yourself, my advice would be to – bring in a professional first. When dealing with crawl space waterproofing, here are a few things to consider.
Crawl spaces are a common sight in areas with high ground water levels. This however also means that you are more likely to see moisture issues related to high ground water. Unless you plan to move to higher ground, it a good idea to be proactive. You need to deal with any problems before they become serious.
Water is not your friend. Both you and your plants will die without it, but when it comes to your foundation and crawl space view it as your enemy. Bad drainage is the primary cause of a damp crawlspace. However bad drainage can be fixed. Just like with a basement foundation, the primary goal is to get rain water and ground water away from the ground below your home.
Foundation leaks and crawl space damage can become be a big deal quickly . Though it is worth thinking about hiring a professional , there is inexpensive stuff you can start with yourself. One of the easiest and cheapest fixes you can do is making sure water is moved away from your foundation. Seal your driveway or sidewalk where it meets your home. Make sure you have clean eave troughs and add a few extra feet of pipe to the bottom where they drain so you ensure any rain water is far away from your home. Water that is well away from your crawl space will not be seeping in under your house.
Make sure you have a crawl space vapor barrier installed. If you don’t want to hang out with the spiders below your home get a waterproofing contractor to do it. A plastic barrier between your home and ground water is essential to reducing moisture. It should be at least 20mm thick to be effective and can and a thicker material is less likely to tear when service is needed for things like plumbing below your home. Any vapour barrier should also be installed on top of a bed of gravel to allow water to drain.
Consider having a crawl space dehumidifier installed. Moisture in the air can cause mold and mildew growth. A dehumidifier designed for crawl spacea will reduce overall moisture and keep mold spores under control improving the air quality in your home.
Weeping tile installation will stop you from crying. Installing weeping tile around your crawlspace foundation is one of the most effective ways to ensure it is dry below your home. Designed to divert ground water away from your house, it is extremely effective when installed correctly. A large job that involves excavating around the perimeter of your home, it is however not for the faint of heart DIYer. Hiring a contractor can be more affordable than you would think, and should be viewed as a long term investment that will ensure your basement is dry. It will definitely payoff if you decide to sell in the future.
Make sure your crawl space doesn’t turn into the Galapagos. Standing water in a crawl space is very attractive to vermin and critters you really don’t want to see. Nothing is worse than having to go in down there to retrieve the carcass of an animal that has decided to make your crawl space its last resting space. A dry crawlspace is achievable, and is also way less attractive to insects and animals that have the capacity to significantly damage your home.
