Have a crawl space? Seal it to protect your home from mold and mildew

Crawl spaces, cellars, and sub-cellars have been used in buildings for centuries. They began mostly as areas for storing food and household items, especially produce that needed to keep from fall until the next summer. Now, with the popularity of basements used as additional living space, crawl spaces construction has begun to decrease in new homes. However, there still are many older homes that include crawl spaces, cellars, or sub-cellars, and keeping them well-maintained is important for the overall value and safety of your home.

Crawl space walls are part of your home’s foundation, sometimes resting on a footing. These footings cannot be removed and must be maintained in order to preserve the integrity of your home.

Unlike basements, crawl spaces usually have a low elevation and cannot be used as living space. Many crawl spaces are so small that an adult cannot stand upright in them. Previous generations of home construction professionals believed that venting a crawl space was important to keeping the area dry. However, that has shown to be untrue, and modern construction experts recommend sealing your crawl space to protect it from damage.

Seal crawl spaces to protect your home

Roof runoff and other moisture can collect along your home’s foundation and flow into your crawl space, creating moisture and condensation. This moisture is then drawn up into your home and can breed mold and mildew in places that aren’t visible on a daily basis.

Sealing a crawl space begins by pumping out all water in the crawl space and removing excess moisture from the air. A vapor barrier then is installed to help separate the crawl space from the ground and outside air, and the vapor barrier is sealed with caulk. This seal provides a dry, insect-free crawl space which creates a healthier home for you and your family.

Looking for a crawl space contractor in Maryland or southern Pennsylvania?

At Irvine Construction, we have extensive experience renovating and restoring historic buildings such as old stone homes found throughout Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. We believe that every historic home and structure is unique, and we make it our business to execute authentic historic restoration, additions, and renovations that keep with the home’s history and vintage.