Should You Vent Your Crawl Space?

1. DR. CRAWLSPACE SHOULD YOU VENT YOUR CRAWL SPACE?

2. Let’s assume that you’re reading this because you crawl space and you’re asking yourself question, “Should crawl space vents be open or closed?” As homes have been built with crawl underneath them, there has been a controversy as to whether that crawl space should be vented. article have a the long as spaces

3. Before we get ahead of ourselves, we should talk a little about why your home has crawl space vents in the first place. Before the invention conditioning, homes used to get quite hot and humid in the summertime. And since fiberglass insulation hadn’t come along yet, there was nothing between the first floor and the crawl space to prevent that area from also getting hot and humid. of air

4. UPSIDE DOWN SCIENCE Even space vents are code in many areas, the science behind the subject is now showing complete opposite of the above statement. In the summer, the warm, highly humid air outside of the house is drawn into the colder humid crawl space. though crawl the less

5. Moisture in the crawl space can also lead to other bacterial growths like (Legionnaire’s Disease.) This is disconcerting what we about air flow from the crawl space into the living areas of a home. According Energy Magazine, much as 40% or more of the air you breathe in your home directly from your crawl space. Legionella especially given now know to Home as comes

6. In addition, it’s been determined that crawl space vents contribute to something known as the “stack effect.” This is a phenomenon whereby warm air leaves from the home’s upper levels. creates a vacuum in the lower levels of the home and can actually pull crawl space air all the way up through the roof of your home. rises and This

7. CRAWL SPACE MOISTURE SOLUTIONS Of course, sealing your crawl space vents isn’t going to solve all your issues. The dirt ground that makes up the floor of your crawl space is full of moisture. While it may look dry, looks are deceiving. This moisture will eventually issues as well. cause

8. There are only a few ways to solve this issue. You could concrete slab to create an impenetrable surface. This idea might work if done in new construction there is a level ground with stable soils. The problem with doing a concrete slab retrofit is typically in the application. pour a where as a

9. There are only a few ways to solve this issue. You could concrete slab to create an impenetrable surface. This idea might work if done in new construction there is a level ground with stable soils. The problem with doing a concrete slab retrofit is typically in the application. pour a where as a

10. Dr. done hundreds of crawl space encapsulations, so they are experts in knowing the intricacies of how to measure and cut the vapor barrier and how to install it. They’re also experts at installing dehumidifiers and sump pumps, both of which you’ll definitely want to include in your project. Crawlspace has

11. CONTACT US +1 (971) 275-2920 www.drcrawlspace.com info@drcrawlspace.com 10121 SE Sunnyside Rd #300, Clackamas, OR, 97015, USA