There are three things that destroy materials in general, and wood in particular:
water, heat, and ultra-violet radiation. Of these, water is by far the most important.
The Problem and the Damage
Critters – Bugs, Rodents and MORE Bugs
Dirt crawl spaces are great places to live, thrive and reproduce. If you’re a bug. There is an even temperature, moisture, damp wood and shelter. Spiders, beetles, centipedes, termites, and all kinds of other insects are found in dirt crawl spaces. Animals such as mice (dead and alive) are commonly found in dirt crawl spaces. In some cases. even rats, snakes and small animals have been found.
Mold
Mold spores, the seeds of mold, are in the air everywhere. All they need to grow is organic material such as wood, the right temperature range, and moisture. Of these, the only one that can be controlled is moisture.
Dirt crawl spaces have high humidity levels necessary for mold growth. Humidity levels necessary for mold growth. Humidity levels from 50% to 90% are easily found in dirt crawl spaces that have never flooded.
Mold can grow on dirt, insulation, framing, and even under your carpet on the first floor. Mold destroys organic materials as it feeds on them. Mold reproduces by producing millions of floating airborne spores, which some people are very sensitive to. Spores can be dormant for many years, waiting for the right conditions to grow. Some molds produce mycotoxins, such as the black mold Stachybotyrs. Many articles can be found on the effects of mold, and toxic mold.
Dr. Harriet Burge, an expert in airborne diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health says, “Mold in houses is not a good thing. It could lead to asthma. Houses with mold are damp, and have dust mites and other things in them that can cause illness, especially in children”.
Don’t panic; there is a solution that will stop your crawl space from being a hospitable environment for mold. Mold will not grow when the humidity levels are reduced below 40%.
Condensation
Because of the high humidity level in a dirt crawl space, cool surfaces such as the earth at 55 degrees, concrete and metal surfaces will swell with water vapor condensing out of the air. This causes rot, smells, and is a water source for critters.
Structural Damage
Moisture is the prime factor that causes structural damage. Over time, rot and decay from a moist environment damage wood framing and steel structural members.
The Solution
The CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System completely isolates your home from the earth. This dramatically reduces the humidity level in the air, which will reduce or in most cases eliminate mold growth, rot and critters from your crawl space and make the whole house healthier.
Testimonials
I love what you have done for my home. It\’s the best home repair project I have ever had done. I am now actually storing stuff in a space that I wouldn\’t even go into before. The floors are not nearly as cold since you blocked up the vents, which I am sure will save me money too. I really love your CleanSpace System and would encourage everyone with a dirt crawl space to go for it without hesitation.
Kathy Reilly, CleanSpace System Owner
I had no idea how bad the crawl space was, because I hardly ever go down there. When I inspected it, I was really surprised and disgusted at what was right under our feet. My wife has allergies that act up all the time, and it’s no wonder why. After you guys were done installing the CleanSpace System, I was amazed by the difference. It’s really clean and bright. It seems like the whole house dried out. It’s really awesome!
David Bell, CleanSpace System Owner
Contact us
for a free written estimate and evaluation of your crawl space.
A dirt crawl space under a home is a very bad idea. The earth has a very high humidity in the soil. This water vapor moves easily into the crawl space and upwards into the house environment.
A damp environment is very unhealthy and destructive. Mold thrives and reproduces by producing airborne spores by the millions, and some molds are toxic.
Insects and critters of all kinds love damp environments and wet materials. Rot and decay occur in damp environments causing structural damage.
The natural airflow in a house is from bottom to top. This sucks the moist air and everything in it up into the living areas of the house.
Mold spores, odors, humidity and critters create a very unhealthy environment for people. Many people are allergic to these things, and experience a host of symptoms and don’t realize that their dirt crawl space is affecting their health.
Dirt crawl spaces do not have to be wet or flooded to be extremely unhealthy.
Heating and cooling costs are higher in a home with a vented dirt crawl space.
The humidity level in many crawl spaces go from over 80% to under 35% after the CleanSpace System is installed. Some homeowners say that the windows and doors upstairs are opening better because the swollen wood has dried out. Even buckling hardwood floors and carpets dry out.
Now there is a real solution to dirt crawl spaces
– The CleanSpace System –
developed by Basement Systems, the world leader in dry basement technology.
Contact us
for a free written estimate and evaluation of your crawl space.
Eliminating Ventilation
Most dirt crawl spaces are vented to get moisture out. The problem is that the vents let warm humid air in during the summer. This adds moisture to the crawl space, and makes the house harder to air condition as all this moisture needs to be wrung out of the air. In the winter, the vents let in cold air, which causes very cold, uncomfortable floors upstairs and higher heating costs. Building Scientists agree that vented crawl spaces in warm and cold climates are a bad idea. With the CleanSpace Encapsulation System, your vents will be closed up! This will save you energy costs, and make a more comfortable and healthy home.
Radon Gas
Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the ground in most areas of North America. The EPA has identified radon gas exposure with increased risk of lung cancer. Dirt crawl spaces allow radon gas to enter the home easily. The CleanSpace Encapsulation System is the ideal solution to reduce radon entry from a dirt crawl space. The system can be combined with a fan and exhaust pipe to actively draw radon laden air from beneath the CleanSpace Liner and exhaust it outdoors.
Crawl Spaces with Concrete Floors
Crawl spaces with concrete floors that are wet or damp can be very difficult to install a drainage system in because they are so low, and removing concrete is difficult or impossible. Further, a concrete floor is porous and lets water vapor pass through it. The CleanSpace system is a perfect solution for these problems.