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Category Archives: crawl space repair

basement waterproofing, crawl space repair

Reasons You Should Winterize Your Crawl Space

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It’s not even officially winter yet, but the chilly days and nights have already hit Maryland. The forty-degree days and thirty-degree nights have people wrapping up and staying indoors. ***

There is someplace else that is also quite cold this time of year. Your home’s crawl space. As we have covered in previous blogs, your crawlspace is an integral part of your home.

Now that winter is only a few weeks away, you may want to consider winterizing your crawlspace. Here are a few things that you can do:

  1. Add insulation: Insulation will soak in the moisture and make your home more comfortable. Adding a layer of insulation will make a big difference in the warmth of your home. It will also reduce the moisture from condensation on the walls so your home will be warmer during the winter. 
  2. Check for leaks. As the temperature drops, rain may turn to sleet or snow. Snow runs off into the crawl space creating a constant presence of moisture. This leads to cracks, mildew, and home foundation damage. Water may also drain from it causing a myriad of home structure issues. 
  3. Air vents should be closed. If air vents are open, they can freeze pipes and water lines. To prevent this, close the air vents. The air vents send warm air into the home which circulates cold air pulled through the air vents in the crawl space. 
  4. Insulate the pipes. If your pipes freeze, you are in trouble.  Check your pipes to see if they are cold and moist. The pipes closest to the walls need to be protected. Wrap them with blankets so they are protected from the cold. 
  5. Rodents are everywhere. Inspect your crawlspace for mice and rats. They will leave feces trails. When cold weather arrives, these rodents will make a home in your crawlspace to keep warm. Holes need to be plugged to prevent rodents from entering and staying.
  6. Add a vapor barrier. Crawl spaces with dirt floors may increase in humidity. Moisture gets trapped in the dirt and will evaporate. A vapor barrier will help. Vapor barriers block moisture. They will stop mold from forming. They prevent insects from burrowing in and also stop wood from dry rot. Depending on the floor in your crawl space, you can choose from several different types of vapor barriers. 

These are not expensive things to do but your crawl space will be protected. It will make your home more comfortable and protect the home from structural damage.

If you are having issues with your home comfort, you may need crawl space repair. Contact M. Taylor Enterprise for an inspection. We will analyze it and make recommendations. Our experienced crawl space repair team can make the necessary repairs. Call (301) 649-3406 or at matt@mtaylorenterprise.com for a free consultation. 

We serve the Montgomery County, Maryland area.

*** You can find out more about summer weather on the State of Maryland website. 

 

 

crawl space repair, home foundation repair

Should I Care About My Crawl Space This Summer?

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Summer is here and it is going to be a scorcher in Central Maryland this year. ***

And, of course, as a home foundation repair contractor, I’m thinking about your crawl space. The summer can bring damp conditions which means mold growth. This could be harmful to both your home and your health.

So, before the summer gets hotter, you may want to get your crawl space inspected as there are three things to consider. 

  1. Dirt and moisture cause wood rot which is a hotbed for mold growth and threatens the health and safety of your family. High humidity also causes porous concrete to absorb moisture from the air.
  2. Moisture also damages the insulation in the crawl space and will stop the crawl space from being warm, particularly if it’s fiberglass. Fiberglass soaks up moisture as the insulation material soaks water and becomes weighed down. Soon, it will sag and fall off. 
  3.  Warm air rises and enters the crawl space during the summer months. Once the air moves, a vacuum begins, and air moves to replace it. About half of this air gets into your home. So, if your crawl space air is musty and has mold spores, dust mites, or pollutants, your indoor environment will be adversely affected. Many people experience allergies, coughing, asthma, and itchy eyes.
  4. Moisture damages the insulation in the crawl space. It may not be warm then. The fiberglass becomes heavy as it is soaked with water. It sags and eventually falls off. 
  5. When the crawl space is damp, the wood becomes wet, it rots, bends, and breaks. Thus, the entire support structure fails.
  6. The Central Maryland summer humidity also causes moisture levels to rise. The crawl space becomes a hotbed for condensation as warm and hot air collides with the cool air. Water droplets form on the crawl space floor and walls. Thus, the humidity levels increase to scorching hot levels. 

In spite of all the problems your crawl space could have, there are some basic solutions you and your crawl space repair contractor can do to mitigate it. They can install sealing vents and/or insulating it may keep your home living conditions comfortable. You can also keep your south-facing windows closed. Additionally, close your curtains and/or blinds. A dehumidifier cleans and filters the air, too. 

If you are having issues with your home comfort, you may need crawl space repair. Contact M. Taylor Enterprise for an inspection. We will analyze it and make recommendations. Our experienced crawl space repair team can make the necessary repairs. Call (301) 649-3406 or at matt@mtaylorenterprise.com for a free consultation. 

We serve the Montgomery County, Maryland area.

*** You can find out more about summer weather at the State of Maryland website.