The Importance of Waterproofing Crawl Spaces in Your Basement

Throughout Maryland, most homes have full basements. Those that don’t usually have crawl spaces. Crawl spaces are uninsulated areas between the ground and the ground floor of the home which provide airflow and access to utilities. If you have a crawl space under your home, it is there for a reason. Unfortunately, more often than not, crawl spaces are dank, dark, and buggy. Most people don’t go in them if they don’t have to. But they don’t have to be gross and scary. Crawl spaces are a great candidate for waterproofing to make them more useful, comfortable, and safer.

Waterproofing Crawl Spaces: Why Is Moisture An Issue?

Your crawlspace is open to the outside air and possibly to the bare ground. This is by design to allow airflow, but it also results in temperature and moisture gradients. During the summer, your crawl space has high temperatures and humidity that cause moisture to accumulate. During the winter, frost and groundwater accumulation can also cause moisture to build up in your crawl space. Spring and Fall also have their moisture issues since there are frequent storms and raised water tables. Moisture in crawl spaces is as bad as moisture in basements, so think about waterproofing them the same way you might consider waterproofing basements.

Moisture Issues That Waterproofing Helps

With the moisture that builds up all year long, mold is a very big issue for crawl spaces. The problem with mold is that just because it’s only in your crawl space doesn’t mean you aren’t breathing it in your home – the air that flows through that crawl space can bring those spores and gross musty odor  right up into your home. The moisture can also cause issues with the wooden structures of your home. Rot and fungus can grow on the wood and cause damage. Since wood attracts and retains moisture, rot and the fungus that can cause it are almost guaranteed. Rotting wood in your crawl space can lead to dangerous structural damage in your home. Waterproofing your crawl space can protect it from the build-up of moisture that leads to fungus, rot, and mold growth.

The Issue Of Pests

Pests like mice and insects are another common problem for crawl spaces. Mice, termites, ants, roaches, carpenter bees, and other creepy crawlies can cause major issues, destroying insulation, chewing wiring, and damaging the wooden structures. When you keep the moisture in your crawl space to a minimum, you will be much less likely to have problems with pests like these. Moisture and wetness in crawl spaces will attract insects and rodents.

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing for Basement Waterproofing Today!

If you are ready to get a professional to waterproof your home’s basement, contact All Aspects Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us online or by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420. To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Houzz.