Southhampton County is located in the southern area of Virginia and has a population of a little over 18,000 residents. Although smaller than some other counties in the state, it makes up for it with the beauty of the area and plenty of peanuts.
Many of the homeowners in Southhampton have crawl spaces and any crawl space would benefit from encapsulation. If you want a healthier, cleaner, and more efficient home, you would also benefit from the service. Contact AMC911 for more information and a free estimate.
Common Signs Of Crawl Space Problems In Southampton, VA
Your crawl space is an often forgotten part of the home, but it is an important part of the foundation. When problems occur in the area, it can affect the rest of the home. Watch for these signs.
Condensation on Pipes
When moisture levels are higher, it keeps additional moisture from evaporating. As a result, the moisture forms as condensation, especially in colder areas, such as on pipes.
Wet Concrete or Masonry
When you see moisture on the concrete or masonry of the foundation, it is typically because of high levels of water in the surrounding soil. This requires immediate attention so the foundation isn’t negatively affected.
Uneven Floors
A sinking foundation or rotting floor joists can cause the floor to sink as well, resulting in uneven and damaged floors. This problem will only get worse unless the source of the problem is fixed.
Musty or Damp Smells
A musty smell can happen in any part of the home but it often originates in the crawl space. Air exchange between the crawl space and the living space takes place constantly, so the air in the home mirrors the air below the home.
Groundwater Seepage
It is not uncommon for heavy rains to fall in Southampton County and the expansive soil can soak in the water. As the soil around the foundation becomes soaked with water, it can force its way into the crawlspace from the walls and floor.
High Energy Bills
Many of our customers first come to us because they notice their energy bills increasing. This is associated with higher humidity levels in the home as more moisture accumulates in the crawl space.
Why Your Crawl Space Problems Shouldn’t Be Ignored
What happens when you ignore any problem? It gets worse. The same is true of your crawl space, and once those problems start, they will get worse. As the damage continues to progress, the repair costs will rise as well. Here are some more specific reasons why you should not ignore crawl space problems.
High Energy Bills
Nobody wants to pay more to heat and cool their homes than they need to. When the humidity from an unencapsulated crawl space causes the humidity to rise in the rest of the home, it makes it difficult to manage your comfort.
Higher Repair Costs
This is an important part of why you shouldn’t procrastinate on repairing your crawl space and having it encapsulated. The longer you wait, the more it will cost.
Foundation Failure
Water can pose a significant risk to the foundation of your home. As the damage continues, it could even threaten the foundation and could possibly make the home unlivable.
Floor Damage
This type of damage can happen from underneath, as the floor joists rot and shift. Uneven floors are a common sign that crawl space problems have been happening for too long.
Old House Smell
This problem occurs from the decay of mold and bacteria, creating mVOCs. These may originate in the crawl space but they enter the home through the stack effect, which we will discuss next.
Stack Effect
When warm air rises and exits the home through the ceiling and attic, it leaves a vacuum behind. This vacuum is filled with air that comes from the crawl space. Unless your crawl space is encapsulated, the humid, moldy air from below will be what you are breathing.
Common Methods For Crawl Space Repair
There are certain repair methods that must be done in any crawl space before it is encapsulated. They may differ in complexity but the basic process is often followed. That process includes these factors:
Water Removal
No crawl space can be encapsulated without first removing the water. Otherwise, you would still have water after the space is wrapped.
Insulation Replacement
One of the benefits of crawl space encapsulation is a clean space free of mold. Since wet insulation offers an ideal area for mold to grow, it must be removed and replaced with new insulation.
Drain Tile
A drain tile, sometimes called a French drain, is a perforated pipe installed below the floor of the crawl space or around the foundation of the home. The purpose is to capture water and transport it out and away from the home.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
The crawl space encapsulation process does not begin until after any repairs are made. At that point, the vents can be sealed and the entire area, floors, and walls are covered with a thick vapor barrier. This keeps moisture and pests out of the area.
Another important step involves controlling the humidity in the crawl space. In part, this is accomplished with the vapor barrier but it can be further controlled with a dehumidifier. We install a dehumidifier suitable for the space.
The crawl space encapsulation process does not take an extended amount of time and it will not have a huge impact on your lifestyle while it is being done. What it will do is leave you with a clean, dry crawl space that will improve the comfort and health of the family.
Free Crawl space Inspection and Estimate in Southampton, VA
You can contact AMC911 through our website or on the phone. We offer a free crawl space inspection and estimate to our neighbors in Southhampton, with no strings attached.
After your inspection, we will review what is needed to get your crawl space back into good shape and waterproofed. Our foundation experts are available and waiting for you to send in your request.
