Standing water or even ever-present moisture in your crawl space is more than just an annoyance; it can have devastating consequences for your home’s value and health.
Below, we’ll discuss five good reasons why you should waterproof your crawl space.
To Prevent Structural Damage
Excess moisture can rot wood, rust metal, and damaged drywall. Also, as the water expands and contracts with fluctuations in temperature, your foundation walls and floor could start cracking. Cracks could begin appearing in your brickwork, chimneys, and walls near windows and doorway due to a damp crawl space.
Waterproofing your crawl space will lock out moisture from entering, protecting the foundation, floors, and other critical components of your home. As a result, your home will be safer in the long run, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing nothing ugly is brewing below your floors.
To Keep Your Home Free from Pests
Insects, rodents, and other pests are drawn to dark, damp areas that are often undisturbed. Since most homeowners neglect the crawl space, it becomes a perfect breeding ground for critters. Termites will feast on your wood joists and support beams, while rodents can chew wires and leave piles of excrement, which can spread disease.
All that these pests need to thrive is some minimal water and moisture. Rodents will drink from the water pools, while roaches and termites will love the moist soil. Crawl space waterproofing will stop leaks, prevent moisture from accumulating, and seal all pest entryways, deterring unwelcome visitors.
To Make Your Home Healthier
The air in the average American home is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. And one major contributor to contaminated air is the crawl space. The moisture in your crawl space leads to the acceleration of bacteria growth, mold, and mildew, which can pollute the air you breathe.
Sealing off your crawl space makes your house a healthier place in which to live. Without a wet and humid environment, mold can’t grow and spread, disease-spreading pests won’t thrive, and you’ll breathe cleaner air and see a reduction in allergic reactions.
To Increase Energy Efficiency
When your crawl space gets wet or traps humidity, it makes your HVAC system work harder to regulate your home temperature. And an overworked unit will break down more frequently and drain more energy.
Also, remember that the gaps and spaces that allow water to seep into your crawl space are the same ones that will create drafts. Waterproofing will help close these leaky areas so air and water vapor can’t come in and your heated or cooled air can’t escape. Ultimately, you’ll see a significant improvement in your energy bills.
To Solve Your Storage Problem
Sealing your crawlspace gives it a new lease on life and allows you to transform the dry clean area into a usable space that can serve different purposes. For example, if your house is quite full and you have a sizeable crawl space, you can turn the space beneath your floors into a safe haven for belongings you can’t bear to part with and those you don’t frequently need access to.
Professional waterproofing will eliminate the moisture, lockout pests, and make even the most intimidating crawl space an ideal storage area. Out-of-season items, your old bike, unused toys, and craft supplies are great candidates for the refurbished crawl space storage.
Take Your Crawl Space to the Next Level
Your crawl space has a far more significant impact on your everyday life than you may think. It affects the air you breathe, your energy bills, and the structural integrity of your home. If neglected, it can collect moisture, contaminate indoor air, drive up power bills, attract pests, damage the foundation, and devalue your home.
Waterproofing the crawl space will reduce ground moisture build-up and condensation levels, in addition to making it a more manageable place to enter and store items.
If you’re looking for a qualified professional to waterproof your crawl space, submit your FREE estimate.
