When it comes to real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.
Homeowners in Roanoke, VA are familiar with all the benefits of living in our beautiful, Appalachian region. Mild winters, plentiful nature, excellent air quality are just a few of the location-based benefits of making Roanoke home.
Unfortunately, Roanoke homeowners—especially ones with crawl spaces—are familiar with the challenges as well.
One of the major challenges is humidity.
Frequent rainfall and warm summers mean that Roanoke experiences much higher humidity levels than the national average. The annual average humidity in Roanoke tends to be around 70-75%, while the national average sits at about 53%
Moisture and crawl spaces don’t mix.
Naturally, moisture control is a big concern for Roanoke’s crawl-space-owning population. The two major solutions to damp crawl spaces are ventilation and encapsulation. Which approach is best is hotly debated, and we’ll dive into the details so you can make the best choice for your home.
Pros and Cons of Ventilated Crawl Spaces
Ventilated crawl spaces offer a cost-effective way to promote airflow and gives access to otherwise hard-to-reach areas of your home. On the flip side, it can increase humidity and provide an entryway to pests. Let’s get into the details.
Pros of Ventilated Crawl Spaces
- Moisture Evaporation: The primary purpose of ventilated crawl spaces is to allow airflow, which helps to reduce humidity through evaporation. In drier climates, this can prevent water buildup beneath the house
- Cost-Effective Construction: Ventilated crawl spaces tend to be less expensive to build than sealed, insulated, or encapsulated crawl spaces. Builders typically opt for ventilation as a cheaper solution, particularly in regions with milder climates.
- Access to Utilities: Crawl spaces provide easy access to plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC ducts for repairs and maintenance, especially when combined with proper ventilation.
Cons of Ventilated Crawl Spaces:
- Increased Moisture and Humidity: In addition to letting moisture out, ventilation also lets it in. In humid or wet climates, ventilated crawl spaces can actually draw moisture inside leading to mold, mildew, and wood rot. What’s more, poor ventilation in these conditions may exacerbate problems instead of solving them.
- Energy Inefficiency: Ventilated crawl spaces can allow cold air to enter in winter and hot air in summer, increasing heating and cooling costs. Your HVAC will work overtime, reducing your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.
- Pest Infestations: Open vents are like a welcome mat for insects and rodents you’re your crawl space. The moist, dark environments under your home then becomes prime spots for infestations, which can damage the home structure
- Structural Damage: Persistent high humidity from poor ventilation can lead to issues like sagging floors, foundation shifts, or wood rot, that require costly repairs.
Ultimately, while ventilated crawl spaces may work in some drier environments, they may cause more harm than good in high-humidity areas. Sealed or encapsulated alternatives might be more effective in many climates to prevent moisture buildup and ensure long-term protection.
Pros and Cons of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Encapsulation is a thorough solution to crawl space problems and one that’s best left to the experts. It’s not a DIY friendly venture, which makes it more costly than ventilation. However, an encapsulated crawl space offers many benefits to your wellness, peace of mind, and home values. Here’s how the pros and cons of encapsulation stack up:
Pros of Crawl Space Encapsulation:
Moisture Control: Encapsulation completely seals your crawl space to prevent water vapor and moisture from entering. This stops mold, mildew, and wood rot in their tracks and is particularly beneficial in humid or flood-prone areas.
Improved Air Quality: By sealing off moisture and preventing mold and mildew, crawl space encapsulation improves the air quality in your home. Approximately 50% of air in your living space comes from the crawl space, so encapsulation limits allergens that can circulate into the living space through the HVAC system.
Energy Efficiency: Sealing off a crawl space from external air can improve your home’s energy efficiency. It helps keep temperatures stable, reducing the energy required to heat or cool your home, lowering your utility bills.
Pest Prevention: Encapsulation creates a sealed environment making it tough for pests like rodents and insects to get inside. You’ll notice less bugs and have much less likelihood of infestations.
Increased Home Value: By preventing mold and rot, you’re protecting the structural integrity of your home and making it more energy efficient. A well-maintained, encapsulated crawl space can increase a home’s value and make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Cons of Crawl Space Encapsulation:
High Initial Cost: Encapsulation is a more expensive option than ventilation. Depending on the size of the crawl space and the materials used, costs can range to several thousand dollars.
Ongoing Maintenance: Encapsulation reduces the need for frequent repairs but it’s not quite set-it-and-forget it. The system may still require occasional maintenance, such as monitoring humidity levels, checking for leaks, and servicing dehumidifiers.
Potential for Improper Installation: If not done correctly, encapsulation can trap moisture inside the crawl space, causing more harm than good. It’s best not to DIY and rather leave encapsulation to the professionals.
Humidity Control Required: Even with encapsulation, humidity control is often necessary to maintain a clean, dry crawl space. In some cases, you may need to install a dehumidifier to maintain the right humidity levels.
Crawl space encapsulation offers long-term benefits, particularly in controlling moisture and improving energy efficiency especially in high-humidity areas. However, it does come with higher upfront costs and requires proper installation and maintenance.
Which is Best for My Home in Roanoke?
It’s imperative to address problems early and with the right strategy so homes stay dry, structurally sound, and free and mold and pests. In the high humidity conditions of Roanoke encapsulation might be the best solution for your crawl space and home. However, at Crawl Space Care, we offer a variety of crawl space solutions that take your needs into consideration including the condition of your crawl space and your budget.
Still not sure what solution is right for you? We offer a free, no-obligation inspection from our certified professionals. Contact us to schedule your inspection today.