Should You Seal Off Your Crawl Space Or Keep It Open?

Owning a home means that you need to maintain everything within that home, from the interior, the structure, and even the crawl space found below. For years, homeowners have tried to protect this area in different ways due to the growing concerns of mold, mildew, and deterioration in this area. It is essential to keep this area protected because of the wiring, piping, and other foundational structures that it houses in the crawl space.

One of the more popular options that homeowners have taken an interest in over recent years is sealing the crawl space. With this area sealed with heavy-duty plastic and other materials, the results have made homeowners question if this is something they need.

Should You Seal Off Your Crawl Space?

The short answer to this question is yes - and no. The benefits of sealing off your crawl space are extensive, doing everything from protecting the area from natural damage from the environment and even going as far as promoting energy conservation. Before you seal them, consult with an expert, like your local AdvantaClean team, who will evaluate your home, ventilation system and regional weather patterns that will need to be considered.

Prevent Moisture Build-Up

One of the most common issues that crawl spaces experience is the buildup of moisture in this area. Without sunlight, trapped puddles of water keep the area wet for prolonged periods of time. The amount of mold and mildew that can develop in your crawlspace can be deadly over time, as the mold becomes black mold and other forms of fungus that is dangerous to your health. This mold and mildew filter through your home, spreading through the atmosphere, and can easily keep your loved ones sick all the time.

Retain Your Heat

In the winter months, trying to retain the heat in your home can be a struggle. This makes your energy costs rise because your HVAC system runs more frequently when it could be concealed and retaining the heat. With the heat staying in your home and not escaping through the crawl space, you can use less energy and stay warmer longer. The insulation used during the sealing process keeps the heat in your home.

Reduce Structural Damage

With the pipes and wiring being kept down in the crawl space, it is easy to forget about maintaining the area below. The mold and mildew not only impact the air quality within your home, but they can also cause rust damage to your structure. Unfortunately, the presence of mold and a swampy atmosphere invites the presence of rodents and insects. The damage that they can do to your structure overtime is expensive. With your crawl space sealed, you can keep these unwanted guests out and reduce the damage to your structure.

Should I Keep My Crawl Space Vents Open or Closed?

If you are looking to close your crawl vents, it must be done correctly to maintain the house's foundation's integrity. Furthermore, you do not want to cover your vents with water and moisture stuck in the crawl space. This will only continue the damage, and without ventilation, it can cause structural damage and low air quality at a faster rate than before.

If you plan to fully seal off your crawl space as a way to protect it, you must first remove and eliminate any current leakage and wet spots in your crawl space. If you go in and remove all the moisture from the crawl space, you should close the vents to keep new humidity from getting into this area and jump-starting the mold and mildew all over again.

What Can I Use To Cover My Crawl Space Vents?

If you are looking to cover your crawl space vents, you should have them covered in a highly durable plastic material that does not rot or deteriorate, keeping the crawl space secure for many years. The vents should have these hard plastic covers to keep the moisture out of the crawl space once it has been rid of any potential hazards.

If you want to ventilate your crawl space periodically throughout the year, you do not need to seal your crawl space vents but plug them with foam plastic during the closed period. Once you are ready to open the vents, you can easily remove the foam and let the vents naturally circulate air to prevent stuffiness in the warmer months.

What Temperature Do You Close Crawl Space Vents?

When you decide to close your crawl space, the temperature outside should be no cooler than 40 degrees, while your home carries a standard room temperature of 70. This keeps moisture from lingering in your crawl space and creating an unhealthy environment. If you plan to seal your crawl space permanently, you want to keep that area at comfortable 70 degrees where the climate is appropriate for conditions. This temperature is excellent for the piping and wiring that is housed below in your crawl space.

Dehumidifying Your Crawl Space

Before you seal your crawl space permanently or just close it for the winter, it is a good idea to utilize a dehumidifier and remove the excess moisture in the air. This dehumidifier will create an ideal environment so that you can seal it with the vapor barrier and seal up your crawl space. Your bedroom dehumidifier could help a little, but you want a larger commercial-grade dehumidifier for this process so that it gets the total length and width of your crawl space that is much larger than a bedroom.

Choose The Industry Experts For Sealing Your Crawl Space

Whether you want to give your crawl space a temporary seal or close it permanently, it should be done correctly to maintain the environment and capture all moisture before it enters the area. To have this done properly, you should let industry experts at AdvantaClean complete this process for you. Our team has the skills, expertise, and equipment to seal off your crawl space at your request. If you would like information or would like to schedule a consultation, contact us today.

We look forward to assisting you soon.