Tips to keep your crawlspace dry

A crawlspace beneath your floors can be fertile ground for mold and mildew if it is not kept dry. Protecting your crawlspace from moisture buildup is pretty easy and does not require much time or effort. Using these tips will protect the health of your home and make sure that both your home and your family safe from the dangers of mold and mildew. While crawlspace encapsulation is the most preferred method of keeping water out of your crawlspace, these following methods will also help minimize damage.

Create a water barrier.

Use the plastic poly vapor barrier to cover the dirt ground beneath your house. Make sure that you run it out to the edges of the cinderblock walls so that there is no leakage and no way for the moisture to get through the vapor barrier. Get advice from moisture control experts so that you can create an effective barrier.

Ensure there is no leaking duct work.

Air conditioning ducts will often cause condensation around it to create higher level of moisture in your crawlspace. To prevent this, make sure that all uninsulated ducts are covered and wrapped to prevent air leaks and condensation. This is worth considering if you are about to install new ducts, in which case, you should buy ducts that are already insulated.

Direct water from gutters and drainage away from crawl space.

Make sure that there is a slope away from the house foundation so that all water that runs from the house runs away instead of gathering next to the house and entering the crawlspace. All pipes that run from the gutters and from the roof should also be directed away from the house so that none of it makes it into the crawlspace.

Install a fan.

You can make this fan turn on and off with inputs from humidity sensors or on timers. This will make sure that the moisture gathering in the crawlspace will always be controlled and make sure it is not suitable for mold and mildew to grow under your house.

With these precautions, you will be able to minimize the amount of moisture that builds up in your crawlspace but if you still face problems, it might be wise to talk to a contractor about getting your crawlspace encapsulated.