Keeping Cool: Crawl Space Maintenance in Hot Weather

A crawl space is commonly talked about in the winter months when cold air has the potential to seep through the home and put up a fight against the heating bill. What people don't discuss as often is that there is still potential for crawl space issues in the summer too. Not only is having knowledge of what happens within a crawl space in the summer good for the health of your home, but for energy levels as well.

Becoming more informed on this topic will have you crawling to American Waterworks, ready to improve your own home's crawl space.

Crawl Spaces

Before diving in, some of you might be wondering what a crawl space is. It's a common question, especially because many people easily forget or don't even realize their home has one because it's not a commonly visited area. A crawl space is a hollow and short area below the home that is typically only accessible by crawling through it. See where the name comes from? Its purpose is to act as support for the home.

How do crawl spaces lead to moisture problems and energy efficiency?

There are two key words that are important to keep in mind with this: moisture and humidity. The more worn down your home gets over time, the easier it is for air to have access and enter the crawl space through small cracks. In the hot summer months, incoming humid air mixes with the cooler air already in your crawl space and together, they create condensation. Because the space is so tight, this combination is more likely to lead to mold or water problems as well as worsen the energy efficiency in your home.

What you can do for your home:

The heat can cause problems in your crawl space only when it's not properly taken care of. It's crucial to ensure your home is equipped with products that prevent moisture and humidity from causing damage in your crawl space. This not only protects the crawl space itself but also protects the rest of your home from potential damage. The following products that we offer prevent and reduce things like water vapor, humidity, condensation, and moisture in your crawl space.

• CleanSpace vapor barrier encapsulation is used to stop water vapor from permeating through the floor and walls and therefore prevents problems like mold.

• Foamax wall insulation panels are designed with a vapor barrier side to help control crawl space humidity while adding a layer of warmth.

• RimTight rim joist insulation reduces warm, humid air entering your crawl space in the summer which leads to less condensation. Rim joists are where most energy is lost, which is why insulation in this space is so important.

• AprilAire dehumidifier works by removing moisture from the air and sending dry air back throughout the home.

Be efficient and encapsulate your crawl space! 

Don't let your crawl space continue to become damp and musty this summer! Tackling this problem sooner than later will help you save money, energy, and your home from more damage. American Waterworks is here to help with the process and get you started today with a FREE no-obligation estimate appointment.