Should a crawl space be ventilated?
Should crawl space be ventilated?
A crawl space is an open area in the foundation under the ground floor of a house. These spaces are especially prone to mold growth due to high humidity from the air outside, but also due to water build-up that evaporates from the ground up.
Some of the most common problems caused by increased humidity levels in the crawl space include water leaks, damaged insulation, fungi, mold, and inadequate ventilation. Finally, moisture can seep into the foundation of the home and along its walls. This causes floor joists and supporting structures, such as wood frames, to erode, causing severe decomposition and condensation of the floor surface. Excess moisture is known to deform even the most durable hardwood flooring.
Crawl space vents
Even if you don’t know what crawl space ventilated is, you’ve probably seen those rectangular vents along the side of the foundation walls and wondered what they were all about.
Crawl space ventilation can prevent moisture from accumulating and keeps the space relatively dry and the air clean. Homeowners, remodelers, and contractors increasingly recognize the importance of installing an adequate ventilation system for the crawl space that will prevent mildew and rot.
A notable feature of ventilation systems is that there are no guidelines on the specifications and limitations of these ventilation configurations that can be installed in a given home. The system you choose will depend on the weather conditions in your area and the severity of the damage. Ventilating your crawl space is not as difficult as it may seem. There are many options that you can choose from to meet your needs.
Exploring crawl space ventilation options
Regular vents
The easiest way to increase the volume of ventilated air in your crawl space is by installing vents. If you already have some vents, just add more to increase air circulation. This method is ideally recommended for homes where the first signs of mold growth have just begun to appear in the crawl space. If done immediately, the problem usually will not escalate and get out of control. Adding vents is generally recommended because it is inexpensive and most homeowners can do it.
Some people prefer to use vents with sliding doors to help them control the temperature in their crawl space.
Advantage Vents
offers high-quality crawl space vents that not only look good but are also functional and efficient. They effectively reduce moisture, stale air, and even foul odor that just won’t go away. You can regulate the amount of air, regardless of weather conditions, and the flow rate by simply opening and closing the sash door of the air vent.
Crawl space power vents
There are many crawl space power vents (with fans) available. However, at Advantage Vent we offer one-of-a-kind window-style power vents, that you won’t find anywhere else!
Our power vents are very effective in removing moisture from the crawl space. An automatic switch turn fans on as soon as the sash door is open, which can also be operated from the outside.
Some of the other features of Advantage Vent power vents include:
- Energy efficiency,
- Window-style construction,
- Durable, maintenance-free material,
- Nickel-plated steel fan guard.
One of the main advantages, and the most important thing to remember, is that crawl space power vents allow you to reduce heating costs and significantly improve your indoor air quality and the comfort of life.
Why is crawl space ventilation necessary also in winter?
The crawl space must be also ventilated during the winter. The idea is to prevent moisture and other harmful particle condensation.
These destructive and invisible molecules can accumulate in unventilated spaces and are a serious health threat that may be very dangerous to the occupants of the building. Some of the elements may be even radioactive and can be released from the ground and soil and become a source of ionizing radiation.
The role of ventilation systems is to provide the optimal amount of fresh air to the building and to remove contaminated and humid air from it. Unlike gravitational ventilation, mechanical ventilation is characterized by the ability to regulate the amount of air that passes through the vents.
At Advantage Vent we offer professional crawl space air vents that will withstand every season and reduce moisture to protect your family and your home.