Hampton is a city in Virginia with a population of about 137,000 people. It is known for being the first colony in the United States that was English-speaking. Many people also remember Hampton as being the city where the first astronauts trained.
The city is also located on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, making it a city that is very familiar with the water. That is why many homeowners are familiar with crawl space encapsulation. You can learn more and get a free estimate from AMC911.
Common Signs Of Crawl Space Problems In Hampton, VA
There are certain signs that are associated with crawl space problems. These may show up soon after the issue begins or they may take some time to manifest. Knowing these signs can help you to identify crawl space problems early.
Furniture That Shakes When You Walk by
The rafters under the floor can be damaged by high moisture levels or termites. As the floor shifts, it can get loose and you may notice the furniture shaking as you walk by.
High Energy Bills
Energy bills are already high enough. When high humidity enters the home from the crawl space, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the home comfortable in any season.
Musty or Damp Smells
If you are smelling a musty smell in the house, you probably already have mold in the crawl space. This stale air can even affect the health of your family.
Cold Floors
The floors of any home can be a little on the cold side but when there are crawl space problems, the colder temperatures from underneath can make the floor uncomfortable. This is bad news for those that like being in their bare feet.
High Humidity Throughout Your Home
Humidity levels will not stay limited to the crawl space. They will also affect the living space in the home as well. This can affect your health, your power bill, and more.
Rusty Appliances
The humidity associated with crawl space problems can cause appliances to rust. This is especially a problem in damaged spots where the metal is exposed.
Why Your Crawl Space Problems Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Ignoring a problem with a crawl space is like ignoring a toothache. It doesn’t matter how much you hope the problem goes away, it just keeps getting worse. Here are some of the additional issues you can expect until you have the problem corrected.
High Energy Bills
It can be difficult to keep the home comfortable when the humidity is high. That humidity comes from the crawl space and you can expect your energy bills to increase over time for this reason.
Stack Effect
Hot air rises, even in the home. As it escapes through the attic, air is pulled from the crawl space and enters the living area. That air exchange happens on a continual basis.
Foundation Failure
On the more serious side of things, foundation failure is a possibility. One of the problems with the crawl space could be excess water in the soil surrounding the foundation. Foundation failure is a serious issue that could make the house unlivable.
Rodent Droppings
Even if you don’t see the rodents in the crawl space, you may see the droppings they leave behind. Those dropping can transmit a dangerous virus when you touch them or even when breathe in the area.
Floor Damage
Moisture, termites, and other issues can affect the joists in the crawl space and damage the floors from below.
Old House Smell
You may not notice the old house smell if you live in the home, but it is more than an offensive odor. The smell is from bacteria and mold decaying, releasing VOCs in the air.
Common Methods For Crawl Space Repair
The crawl space encapsulation process rarely takes place without some sort of repair taking place first. Some of those repairs could be extensive, including beam repair or foundation wall repair. The following are also some common repair methods we use.
Water Removal
If there is any water in the crawl space or if the soil is wet, it will have to be fixed. This is often done by setting up a system that will transport the water to a lower level.
Insulation Replacement
Did you know that wet insulation can grow mold within 24 or 48 hours? That is why we must remove the old insulation and replace it before we encapsulate the crawl space.
Drain Tile
A drain tile system is sometimes called a French drain. It is a perforated pipe set in a field of stone that gathers water and transports it to a lower location.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Once we have carried out all of the repairs, it is time to encapsulate the crawl space. Doing so accomplishes more than covering the floor, it creates a dry and clean crawl space, suitable for storage.
The primary part of encapsulation involves sealing the area and wrapping it with a thick layer of poly-sheeting. Both the walls and the floor are wrapped, sealing the area and keeping out water and even rodents.
To further control the humidity in the crawl space and the rest of the home, we will install a dehumidifier. Having a clean and dry crawl space provides many benefits, both to your comfort and to your health.
Free Crawl space Inspection and Estimate in Hampton, VA
Every household would benefit from crawl space encapsulation, especially those with respiratory issues or a compromised immune system. That is why it is so important to have your crawl space inspected.
AMC911 offers free crawl space inspections and estimates. The only thing you have to do is ask for yours. Contact us by filling out the convenient form on our website and we will get back to you soon.
