For most Long Beach Island families, their home is their most valuable asset. They would do anything to keep it and their families safe. They change the batteries in the smoke alarms every six months. They keep the gutters and downspouts clear to prevent flooding. But many are not aware of the hidden risk of moisture under the house.
Up to fifty percent of the air in a home can flow up from the crawl space, so it’s vital to keep the crawl space as clean and dry as possible. Even vented crawl spaces can hold moisture and increase the risk of water damage, mold, wood rot, pest infestation, and decreased energy efficiency. Encapsulating a home’s crawl space makes the home a healthier place to live and breathe. Stretch Cleaning is Long Beach Island’s best resource for protecting your house and family.
A crawl space is an elevated foundation that uses footings and blocks walls around the outside to support the house. These raise the home one and a half to four feet from the ground. This space allows clearance for piping electrical wiring and plumbing. Some older homes have high foundations with crawl spaces to allow cooling air to circulate throughout the home.
However, accumulated water in this enclosed space can cause many problems: wood rot, mold, mildew, high electric bills. Moisture dripping through the concrete foundation of your home can also cause basement leaks. In addition, in a forgotten storage area your possessions might suffer from water damage for months before you notice.
Adding a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier covers the crawl space, including floors and foundation walls. The physical barrier is sealed with tape that connects the barrier’s pieces throughout the space. Once the crawl space is sealed, a dehumidifier will help regulate your crawl space’s moisture level.
Not only is moisture in the crawlspace damaging to the structure of your home, but it is also detrimental to indoor air quality. Mold grows quickly and spreads by spores. When the air within the crawlspace enters the living space, so too can the mold. Diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, and occasionally hives (urticaria) are usually the consequence of allergic sensitization to the molds that grow when excess water is present.
The proper installation of your crawl space encapsulation is vital to its effectiveness. Consistency and accuracy are key when installing the barrier, so contact professionals with experience in crawl space encapsulation for lasting results. Stretch Cleaning & Restoration uses both “tried and true” techniques and the latest technologies to seal your crawl space. Let the team make your Long Beach Island home safer, drier, and more comfortable.
