| Any home inspector can tell you that most | | | | Your home's crawlspace needs a minimum of 1 |
| crawlspaces have moisture problems. There are two | | | | square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet |
| different types of crawlspace setups--vented and | | | | of crawlspace floor area. Vents should be within 3 |
| non-vented. | | | | feet of the corners allowing for cross ventilation. |
| Vented crawlspaces have vents that allow for cross | | | | Could your insulation be installed upside down? You |
| ventilation and the home's sub floor is insulated along | | | | may have insulation in the flooring. The paper side of |
| with the pipes in the crawlspace to prevent freezing. | | | | the fiberglass insulation should face the heated living |
| There's a vapor barrier on the ground and vents are | | | | space and be placed against the sub flooring. |
| closed in the winter time. A small heater or heat tape | | | | Otherwise it will trap moisture between the sub floor |
| may also be used to help keep the pipes from | | | | and the paper and hide moisture damage. A properly |
| freezing in addition to insulation on the pipes. | | | | set up non-vented crawlspace won't need insulation. |
| With non-vented crawlspaces, foundation walls are | | | | Is your moisture (vapor) barrier damaged or loose? It |
| insulated, but the sub-floor isn't. The vents are | | | | should be a 6 mil thick poly vapor barrier on your |
| blocked off with insulation all year long, and a vapor | | | | crawlspace ground and should be overlapped and |
| barrier is in place on the ground. Air is conditioned | | | | sealed around columns and walls. This keeps ground |
| with a dehumidifier. A small heater and pipe insulation | | | | moisture vapors from rising up into your framing. |
| may still be used. | | | | If you have a sump pump installed, make sure it is at |
| Problems arise when there are inadequate or no rain | | | | the lowest point in the crawlspace. All areas should |
| gutters. Did you know the average roof lets go of | | | | easily drain to it. Inspect your pump regularly. Does it |
| 1,000 gallons of water during 1 inch of rain? You can | | | | work automatically? It should be in a plastic cylinder in |
| keep water from falling along the foundation and | | | | the ground and eject water outside, away from the |
| finding your crawlspace by using solid rain gutter | | | | building and not into the septic or sewer system. |
| covers to cover the gutter opening. This allows | | | | If your crawlspace is non-vented, you must have a |
| water to come in by curling under the cap. | | | | dehumidifier, and the collected water should be piped |
| Unfortunately, mesh and screen covers get clogged | | | | to a sump pump or condensate pump. If you don't |
| up or collapse. | | | | do this, you'll have to dump water daily, and who |
| Do downspouts end along your foundation? They | | | | wants to do that? Incidentally, buy a good quality |
| need to let water run 6 feet or more away from | | | | dehumidifier with an adjustable, automatic setting so |
| your home. | | | | it does not run all the time. |
| Does your terrain slope toward your foundation? | | | | Is your crawlspace kept neat, clean and accessible? |
| Water must be directed away from the home | | | | Inspect it often for signs of moisture or mildew. |
| because water can cause serious foundation damage. | | | | Check with the local code official for any repairs you |
| Do you remember to open the vents when weather | | | | might need. Don't underestimate the importance of |
| warms up? Your house needs to breathe. Low decks | | | | your crawlspace and what you can do to prevent |
| and shrubs can block vents and make them useless. | | | | that all too common moisture damage. |