Why Do I Need My Crawl Space Waterproofed?
Why should you get your crawl space waterproofed? Well, lets look at the traits that make up a crawl space.
Crawl spaces are a small, unfinished area underneath the house that is only accessible through crawling. Most crawl spaces have large unsealed vents, a dirt floor and high levels of humidity. These traits make crawl spaces a breeding ground for all kinds of water damage, including the growth of mold and mildew as well as flooding. Not waterproofing your crawl space also leaves it open to pests and wildlife. Waterproofing your crawl space can also help with the overall air quality in your home. Thankfully, Summit Crawl Spaces offers crawl space waterproofing services in the Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington areas. Contact us today for a FREE estimate!
Crawl Spaces Have a High Risk of Water Damage
Waterproofing your crawl space is so crucial because crawl spaces are one of the areas in your home at the highest risk of sustaining water damage. The floor of most crawl spaces is just dirt, so groundwater can rise through that dirt and get into the crawl space, which can cause catastrophic and expensive water damage.
Crawl spaces also typically have large vents to the outside due to antiquated building codes, and these vents can let in a lot of water and moisture. Crawl spaces are naturally dark, damp places prone to heavy moisture, which makes them a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Mold and mildew can be dangerous not just for your home, but also your health. Mold is a type of fungus that spreads through airborne spores. Once these spores land in moisture, they begin reproducing and mold can grow. Mold spores are dangerous because when they spread through the air, they can aggravate your allergies and lead to some respiratory problems. Some symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
- Coughing and sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightening of the chest
Some of the air on the first floor comes from the crawl space. Having mold in the crawl space can circulate those spores around your house, which can lead to worsened allergies and respiratory problems for you and your family.
Waterproofing your crawl space is the best step you can take to mitigate these symptoms and protect your home’s air quality.
Crawl Spaces are Prone to Pests and Dust Mites
Crawl spaces are typically dark, damp and moist, which creates the perfect conditions for pests to thrive. Pests like silverfish, spiders and rodents thrive in these conditions. If your crawl space vents are unsealed, this creates a wide open space for these pests to get in. Once silverfish, spiders, rodents and other pests get into the crawl space, it’s only a matter of time before they begin getting into the other areas of the house.
Dust mites are extremely small creatures, only a quarter of a millimeter long. Dust mites also live off human skin scales. Dust mites are one of the biggest sources of allergies that come from dust inside your house. Similar to mold, dust mites can also get into your respiratory system and trigger asthma as well as several allergies. Dust mites tend to thrive inside dark, damp areas of the house like the crawl space, and circulate around as heat rises. Waterproofing your crawl space with Summit can help protect your house against dust mites and other pests.
Waterproofing Can Help with Air Quality and Prolong Your Home’s Life
Waterproofing is a process that will help prolong your home’s life. Water damage in your crawl space can lead to damage of the foundation, mold growth, and even termites, all of which can seriously damage the structure as well as the home’s value. Termites are attracted to moisture, so a crawl space that has not been attended to is the perfect place for them to settle down and begin building a colony. Waterproofing your crawl space can help with sustaining your home’s health and value in the long run. A fully encapsulated crawl space can do wonders for the longevity and safety of your home.
As mentioned above, a crawl space that is not waterproofed can lead to a serious decrease in the air quality of your home. Waterproofing can help prevent mold, mildew and dust mites, all of which can lead to respiratory problems. Some of the air circulating on the first floor of your home comes from the crawl space. So if you have mold spores and dust mites in your crawl space, those mold spores and dust mites will circulate around the air on the first floor of your house.
Reasons Why You Should Waterproof Your Crawl Space
- Crawl spaces typically have large, unsealed vents, a dirt floor and very humid air, so crawl spaces by nature are vulnerable to water damage.
- Crawl spaces can be a breeding ground for dust mites, the microscopic pest that causes dust allergies.
- Crawl spaces are prone to pests like roaches, silverfish and mosquitos, as they are drawn to the humid air. If your crawl space vents are unsealed, then your crawl space is also a perfect place for wildlife like raccoons, opossums, snakes and rodents to make their home.
- Waterproofing can help with your home’s overall air quality, as well as prolong your home’s life and preserve your home’s resale value.
Contact Summit Crawl Spaces for Crawl Space Waterproofing Today
Don’t wait for water to damage your crawl space, contact Summit Crawl Spaces today for crawl space waterproofing. We offer FREE estimates! Call us at (703) 520-5868 or fill out a contact form!