What else do April showers bring? Headaches for homeowners who don’t prepare their crawl spaces for the spring rains that fall in Roanoke.
Homes built in low-lying areas or on property where water ponds can experience drainage issues during heavy rains, especially in the crawl space. Once inside, that water can damage wood and lead to mildew and mold growth in your home, among other issues.
Here’s how to protect your family with a thorough crawl space inspection.
Inspect for Existing Issues
Take a good look around your foundation for signs of crawl space moisture issues.
- Check your crawl space for standing water, mold, mildew, and musty odors.
- Inspect your home’s foundation for cracks and any signs of wood rot.
- Make sure crawl space vents and drainage systems are clear and functioning properly.
Improve Drainage Around Your Home
Next, take a good look at your draining systems and make sure they’re moving rainwater away from your home’s foundation.
- Remove debris from your gutters and redirect downspouts to move water away from the foundation.
- Check the grading around your home. You want your yard to slope away from the crawl space, which will keep rainwater away from the structure.
- If you have minor grading issues, work with the team at Crawl Space Care to install a French drain or sump pump.
Vapor Barrier: Installation and Maintenance
A vapor barrier is added to the floor of your crawl space using thick plastic sheeting that keeps moisture from getting into the space. If you don’t see a vapor barrier in your crawl space, call us today for a free inspection and we’ll provide options designed for your unique space needs.
In addition to keeping the dampness and wetness out of the crawl space, vapor barriers help reduce mildew and humidity, improving your home’s air quality and the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning systems.
Once a vapor barrier is installed, maintenance is easy. Just inspect regularly to ensure that the plastic is intact and covering the ground. Repair or replace any torn sections.
Evaluate Your Crawl Space Encapsulation
Encapsulation works the same way as a vapor barrier and protects both the walls and floor of your crawl space from moisture.
Once again, maintenance of an encapsulated space is easy. Regularly check for any damage to the moisture barrier and keep an eye on humidity levels.
If you find a lot of wear and tear, your vapor barrier may need to be replaced. If you find humidity levels are rising, you can add a dehumidifier to your crawl space.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
A crawl space professional can identify hidden issues and recommend cost-effective solutions for your home before Roanoke’s spring rains start to fall.
Crawl Space Care is family owned and operated crawl space and we have the experience to diagnose hidden issues and identify solutions. We offer a free, no-obligation inspection and estimate, so set up your free inspection today.
Let’s keep your home dry and protected.