Crawl Space Repair in South Carolina Needs Moisture Control Not Venting

Many homeowners think that the best way to maintain a safe and clean crawl space is by having plenty of venting throughout the area. However, many homeowners and maybe even builders alike don't realize that venting is actually not all that beneficial-- if not detrimental.

South Carolina Crawl Spaces

Humidity Control

It's been estimated that 70 percent of the homes being built in South Carolina have crawl spaces. Since many contractors don't exactly want to put the extra time and expense into sealing and in other words finishing the space, most homes don't come with finished crawlspaces.

What could happen when it isn't sealed, insulated and finished with other beneficial products? Well, there's mold, mildew, condensation, termites, high radon levels, and other environmental problems.

If that list sounds like a lot, that's because it is a lot! Many homeowners are unaware of the influence the space has on their overall home environment but, the crawlspace-- or basement for that matter-- has a huge and vital effect on the home.

Encapsulated VS Vented

When encapsulated, it doesn't have any vents and this is what every homeowner should want and should have beneath their home. This will help control the moisture and thermal issues that many South Carolina crawl spaces experience throughout the year.

As many South Carolina homeowners are aware, mold and decay occur a lot more often than necessary. In fact, if it weren't for the condensation and high relative humidity, many of the issues would go away. So, how does condensation and relative humidity increase in the space?

Temperature

According to Craig DeWitt, PhD, PE, a specialist at RLC Engineering, LLC. and Larry Janesky, the owner and founder of the internationally recognized Basement Systems, Inc. network as well as CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System-- venting worsens the environment.

"Venting a crawl space actually makes it wetter. A sealed one has several advantages. First, it's dryer, decreasing the likelihood of mold and decay. In addition, wood is stronger when it is dryer, therefore the structure performs better. A decrease in moisture in the crawl space allows air conditioners to run more efficiently, since they have to remove less moisture from the air. Duct insulation also stays dry, maintaining the integrity of the insulation. Humidity levels within the crawl space and house are more uniform from season to season, creating less movement of hardwood floors, interior wood trim and cabinetry," said DeWitt.

Relative humidity, says Janesky, defines how much water is in the air compared to the amount of water the air is actually capable of holding at a specific temperature. So, let's look at an example of a typical hot and muggy day in South Carolina of about 90 degrees with 75 percent relative humidity. Then, let's say your crawl space is 70 degrees, and the surface temperature measured along your walls is about 66 degrees.

When air is pulled into a crawlspace through a vent, the air is then cooled because as we have deduced, the outside air is hotter than the inside air. Then, when the air is cooled by even one degree, the relative humidity rises by 2.2 percent.

Returning to our example, this means that 90 degrees minus 66 degrees is 24 degrees. So we multiply 24 degrees by 2.2 percent and this means the relative humidity will be increased by 48 percent. The once 75 percent relative humidity is now 123 percent.

What Does This Increase in Relative Humidity Mean?

Once the relative humidity is raised above 100 percent, the dew point, the excess humidity is then released in the form of condensation. So, your entire space is now very, very wet. Once it dries out, the mold and fungi will come in to destroy the wood and other organic material.

Oh, and what's the worst part? It's been measured that about a third to a half of the air on the first floor of a home actually originates in the crawl space. In other words-- whatever is in the space is in the rest of your home.

Repair-- The Moisture Solution

Moisture comes from the soil, walls and vents. As a vapor barrier works hard to limit the moisture in your crawl space, you should also consider having a repair expert to encapsulate the space and close the vents.

Crawl Space Repair in South Carolina Needs Moisture Control Not Venting

Crawl Space Repair and parasites - Eliminate termites and mold

Termites are destructive little buggers. They are annoying irritants that can cause more damage than you can imagine, and may go unnoticed for quite a while 'time. In fact, they can be used for other insects, which are quite harmless to be confused, but unfortunately we could develop a much more serious problem if you missed the pest problem has been diagnosed. You can lose at home.

Although the form does not force you to lose your home, can be easily used for other growths or problems, such as wrongPowder or an "old house" smell. However, mold can be toxic and in many cases to increase the allergy symptoms. So if you think that you can actually react to the cat react to the mold in the home.

Humidity Control

If you do not want to misdiagnosis and would much rather have the truth about this budget hazards, read on. We discuss termites and mold, and how to maintain a healthy home free of termites and mold damage.

Termite Information

The termite is oftenMistaken for a flying ant because of its slender body and a set of wings. However, a flying ant is much less harmful and is actually more of an hourglass shape, as the termite egg-shaped form. Termite wings are also almost twice as long as its body.

There are three types of termites in a family, 's, workers and soldiers, reproductives. This means they have a "Seek and Destroy" clan guy who thinks a serious matter. In other words, each track has a mind, a purposewhat they are doing quite well.

The termite survives if it has food, moisture, protection and a comfortable temperature. They are an ideal meal consists of organic material such as drywall paper, books, cardboard, wood furniture, wooden boxes and cellulose products. However, they are known for destruction, which are on their way to their food.

As you know, there is a problem?

Swarming termites is left as a ritual in which male and female reproductivetheir communities to the pilgrims of their colony. Even if there was a decline in activity "swarm" that many people have experienced reproductive termite is not as prosperous as ever. The swarm is most common from March to June and September and October.

In addition to the flock as an important indicator of an infection, here are three things that one eye in order to nip this parasite in the ass!

Pencil-like tubular structures in the dirt near the baseWalls, pillars, sills, beams, and other similar areas. Termite wings on window sills or floor boards found. Wood damage and mud-lined holes.

How to solve the problem

There are many ways to prevent and respond to actual or potential termite problem. However, talk to your local expert on pest control is the best move, especially because the termites do not play with or underestimated. An expert can give much more understanding of the subject and not only put you at ease,But the problem can be solved as effectively.

Wood is the perfect environment. If there is a termite earth has done. There is no food, moisture and a house. Moisture can collect based on winning and termites. Ensuring adequate sanitation. Firewood along the house or in the crawl space will certainly attract termites. Keep the site and keep all these items away from home. Mulch and other cellulose products are the taste buds of most termites. Instead, you canshould try to stone or gravel. Moisture attracts termites in crawl space and basement and crawl space so that your need to dry!

The shape, compared to termites

Wet crawl space not only attract termites, but this moisture also attracts mold. The mold growth is moisture to grow, it needs to eat organic material, and need a comfortable temperature. Sound familiar? Oh, and shape and what is superficial to feed it or what it takes to get to hisFood.

It was not clear how similar in shape to termites, huh? And how termites are commonly mistaken for ants, we have discussed previously, such as the shape is misdiagnosed as well. So, if you detect the musty smelling, you can be sure of is mold. If the crawl space or basement is damp, you have to be sure, a scan area repair experts contact. Not only do these entrepreneurs will be able to repair the crawl space, but does not have mold allergies or consequentialReactions.

Crawl Space Repair and parasites - Eliminate termites and mold