Yet barring the impact of unanticipated natural disasters, today most building experts still recommend taking measures to reduce the effects of moisture on man-made structures whenever possible. Dampness produces extensive problems for real estate owners (particularly over the course of time). Water causes wood to warp and rot. It expands small cracks and pores in concrete. Moisture also promotes the growth of molds and mildews. By taking swift action to ensure dry basements and crawl spaces, homeowners help maintain their residential properties. One valuable improvement you may decide to undertake involves sealing crawl spaces.
The Pros And Cons of Crawl Spaces
Large numbers of wood frame houses in this part of North Carolina include crawl spaces. These inhospitable locations, typically too low in height to permit standing, frequently separate a residence from the ground. Homebuilders occasionally also include crawl spaces inside the interiors of buildings. For example, a crawl space may offer access to an elevator shaft or a dumbwaiter.
Some Advantages of Crawl Spaces: Crawl spaces do offer some distinct advantages. For example, builders will sometimes place wiring, utility connections, HVAC components, or plumbing access points in these out-of-the-way sites. A crawl space may provide a corridor for repair technicians to reach parts of some infrequently accessed home systems (e.g. plumbing pipes or electrical wiring).
Disadvantages of Crawl Spaces: Unsealed crawl spaces pose some distinct disadvantages, as well. Since these sites often provide direct contact with the ground when utilized in conjunction with a wood frame house or a trailer, they may become wet or flooded when rain saturates the surrounding soil. A crawl space may serve as a focal point for moisture to enter the residence.
Some Important Reasons to Consider Sealing Residential Crawl Spaces
In North Carolina, modern builders usually recommend sealing crawl spaces. This process offers benefits. Four reasons to request crawl space sealing by a waterproofing company prove widespread today:
One: Minimize Dampness
By sealing a crawl space, a waterproofing contractor strives to reduce the level of moisture in contact with the lower levels of the house. Crawl spaces typically extend beneath wood framed structures. Unsealed crawl spaces sometimes permit water from the ground to wick upwards.
Two: Enhance Energy Efficiency
Depending upon the methods used to seal the crawl space and the layout of the home, the process of sealing also offers benefits in terms of enhanced residential energy conservation. If a sealed crawl space produces even a slight increase in the effectiveness of insulation, for example, over the course of time an investment in this home improvement potentially yields significant utility bill savings. Sealing crawl spaces helps some property owners reduce drafts in their homes.
Three: Prevent Rusting
One excellent reason to request crawl space sealing involves reducing the frequency of requesting certain electrical, HVAC, or plumbing repair services. Remember, water in contact with metal over a period of time will cause rusting and corrosion. Repeatedly wet conditions within an open crawl space may eventually contribute to problems with some residential systems. This situation proves especially vexing in older “vintage” homes built before the development of modern building codes. In the past, in some cases, electricians wiring older homes for the first time relied extensively upon crawl spaces, for example.
Four: Protect Residential Flooring
Do you worry that damage to the subflooring in your residence may eventually cause the floors to “squeak”? Owners of refurbished older wood frame homes may discover advantages for their home’s subflooring in sealing crawl spaces. Many vintage residential properties in this area offer lovely hardwood floors. Sealing your home’s crawl spaces may help better protect fine wood or parquette flooring against the sometimes damaging impacts caused by persistently wet, warped subflooring.
Obtain Expert Crawl Space Sealing Assistance
If you have decided to request the transformation of open crawl spaces in your home into sealed crawl spaces, consider obtaining this service through Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions,LLC”. We offer comprehensive drainage and waterproofing solutions,LLC” throughout Raleigh, Fayetteville, Southern Pines and outlying areas in North Carolina. If you prefer, we’ll also perform a waterproofing inspection to help you evaluate the best strategies for ensuring dry, comfortable premises. Call us now at 919-235-5219 to request assistance!
Useful Information
1. https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Crawl_space
2. https://www.drainagenwaterproofing.com/sealed-crawl-space/