According to the National Association of Home Builders, of the new construction homes built in 2013, approximately 15 percent were built with a crawl space. There are several advantages to crawl spaces, including providing easier access to plumbing and wiring and the crawl space's cost of construction, when compared to basements. However, just like basements, crawl spaces must be properly waterproofed to prevent unnecessary water damage to the crawl space and the home.
Here are a few of the many advantages of waterproofing your crawl space.
Prevent Moisture From Entering the Home
The soil beneath your home is filled with copious amounts of moisture that can easily escape, rise, and enter your home. In addition to making your home feel damp and humid, all that excess moisture can cause damage in several ways. For example, when a crawl space isn't protected by a vapor barrier or encapsulation materials, all of that moisture will eventually enter your home where the moisture will begin slowly rotting your subfloors, wood support beams, and hardwood flooring.
All of that structurally unsound wood isn't just dangerous. Rotten, damp, and damaged wood makes an ideal space for insects to burrow and forage for food and create a nest. The insects make a quick meal for mice and other rodents, which means larger pests will also be attracted to your home.
Protect Ductwork, Plumbing, and Electrical Wiring From Moisture Damage
Many homeowners choose to have a crawl space fitted on their home to provide easy access to plumbing, electrical wiring, and their home's other utilities. Excess moisture can wreak havoc on metal pipes, including copper and galvanized pipes, which are more resistant to corrosion.
An animal who makes its way to the crawl space can also easily chew through a sheath protecting metal electrical wiring, which in turn leaves the wiring highly susceptible to further damage from moisture.
Waterproofing your crawl space greatly reduces the amount of moisture found inside the crawl space. Consider a combination of waterproofing techniques, such as a vapor barrier and dehumidifier, to provide the most protection possible to your wiring and plumbing.
Protect Pipes From Freezing and Bursting
One of the great perils to homeowners during the winter is freezing pipes. When temperatures drop and pipes freeze, the moisture inside the pipes expands, which causes the pipes to burst and potentially flood your home. Waterproofing your crawl space helps prevent frozen pipes in two ways during the winter.
The first is that waterproofing your crawl space, including installing a vapor barrier, will help regulate the temperatures in your home by preventing cool or hot air from entering through the ground and area beneath your home. Secondly, the reduction of moisture inside your home will mean less moisture inside and around the pipes.
Less moisture in the pipes means there is less moisture to freeze during the winter.
Attract Potential Buyers
Finally, if you are considering selling your home or want to increase the value of your home, waterproofing your crawl space and taking additional extra precautions to ensure your crawl space remains dry is a great investment. Depending upon the type of crawl space you have, a professional may recommend a vapor barrier or encapsulation. Encapsulation involves covering the entirety of the walls, floor, and ceiling of your crawl space. Typically, a vapor barrier is only installed on part or all of the walls and the flooring.
In addition to a vapor barrier or encapsulation, you can also regrade the slope of your yard, which helps direct water away from your home, and install a sump pump in your crawl space.
From keeping your home at a comfortable humidity level to preventing burst pipes and protecting the electrical wiring and plumbing under your home, there are several advantages to waterproofing your home's crawl space. Contact companies like Central Penn Waterproofing to learn more today.
Share21 January 2020
I never thought much about natural disasters when I was living in the middle of the country, but relocating to the coast brought the threat of hurricanes. A few years ago a big storm ripped off part of our roof after we were evacuated. Arriving home to half a foot of water standing in every room was shocking and scary. Some helpful and reassuring damage contractors managed to save our beloved home, despite all the wind and water damage left behind by the hurricane. Now I spend my spare time advocating for families that need help with storm damage so they get the best results.
