Keeping Cool for the Summer

Keeping Cool for the Summer

Not only does a Southern summer bring swarming pests, but it also brings the unbearable humidity. When it gets too hot, many of us head back inside and simply turn down the thermostat to a comfortable degree. Though some might find that turning the cool air up isn’t actually working, and the summer heat isn’t budging.

When the sun is beating down on your home, your attic will easily see high temperatures. The heat absorbs through the hard materials that make up your home and is likely to transfer downstairs into your living area, creating an uncomfortable living environment. An easy solution that could help is making sure you have enough insulation in your attic.

Attic insulation will create air pockets that slow the heat that is attempting to flow through your home. This will help uneven temperatures between the rooms in your house. Installing insulation can additionally help your HVAC system run more efficiently, helping lessen the need to turn down the thermostat and reduce the cost of your energy bills.

You will also find that your home can trap in the humidity and moisture. These two factors can welcome mold, fungi, and pests into your living environment. Termites, for example, prosper in areas of high moisture which in return can put your house at risk for structural damage.

A solution to ensure your home is not met with these issues is investing in crawlspace enclosure. With closing your crawlspace, you can equally save money on energy bills, but also improve the air quality in your home, creating a more comfortable living environment.

With these heat factors in mind, consider investing in both attic insulation and crawlspace encapsulation. In the long run, it could prevent future headaches! Request a Free Estimate Now

Should You Enclose Your Crawlspace in Winter?

Should You Enclose Your Crawlspace in Winter?

Should you enclose your crawlspace this winter? The resounding answer is yes. There are several benefits to crawlspace enclosure, especially when cold weather sets in and energy costs soar. Most crawlspaces house pipes, ducts, and other appliances. Continuous exposure to cold air and freezing temperatures can lead to frozen and busted pipes and potential water damage. While it is important to keep your crawlspace clean and dry year-round, it is especially important in the winter as it can easily become damp and humid. The excessive moisture and extreme temperatures can also cause significant damage to your home.

While closing your crawlspace vents can help, it is often not enough to keep moisture, insects, and other pests out of your crawlspace. The moisture found in crawlspaces attracts pests like termites, roaches, and millipedes and the crawlspace provides the ideal entry point to your home. The increased humidity also provides the ideal environment for mold and wood rot which can lead to serious health issues for your family and trigger allergies and asthma.

Cold air from your crawlspace can also seep through into your home, keeping your floors cold and causing your heating system to work overtime, greatly increasing your energy costs.

So what can you do this winter to keep the cold and the pests out of your crawlspace? Here are 4 steps to protecting your crawlspace this winter.

1. Clear Those Gutters

Your gutters can’t drain properly when they are clogged with leaves and debris. These clogs cause overflows with the water collecting at the base of the house. This overflow then seeps into the ground and evaporates into your crawlspace. Standing water from clogged gutters also attracts pests like mosquitoes and roaches to your home. Make sure runoff is directed away from the base of your home. If possible, extend your gutters to drain at least 10 feet away from your crawlspace. Make sure your gutters stay clean and free of debris. Consider installing gutter guards to help prevent clogs.

2. Close and Seal Air Vents

Although air vents allow air to circulate through your crawlspace, they also provide an entryway for water and moisture. In the winter, close all the air vents to your crawlspace before the temperatures get too cold. Have them sealed properly to prevent rainwater and moisture from getting inside. This also helps ensure your crawlspace stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

3. Seal Your Crawlspace

Your crawlspace walls, corners, and even base can have tiny holes that allow air leaks into the area. Professionally sealing your crawlspace can help prevent air from circulating through these cracks which, in turn, helps reduce humidity and keeps the warm air in.

4. Install A Vapor Barrier

Most crawlspaces have no covering or protection on their floors. A substantial amount of water evaporates from the ground and increases the humidity in the crawlspace. The professional installation of a vapor barrier can help prevent this evaporation and keep water and moisture out.

Whatever the season, crawlspace enclosure is a beneficial addition to your home. It not only helps increase the air quality of your home by preventing mold and wood rot, it also provides a natural pest control barrier. It also helps keep the cold air out, which means your heating unit doesn’t have to work as hard, increasing its efficiency and decreasing your energy costs.

 

You May Also Be Interested In:

How To Deal With Moles This Winter

Keeping Pests Away From Your Holiday Treats

How To Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Why Are There So Many Millipedes in My House?

10 Ways to Make Your Home Healthier

Things That Go Bump in Your Crawlspace

Things That Go Bump in Your Crawlspace

It’s October! Time for all things pumpkin, fall decorations, and staying in to enjoy your home. A potential drawback: the South, unfortunately, does not have instant cooler weather. With temperatures teetering between 85 and 90 degrees, your home might be battling moisture issues and pest invasions in your crawlspace throughout the month. Let’s look at what problems could arise and how investing in crawlspace solutions could help!

Pests

Excessive moisture and warm weather work together to create the perfect environment for pests. In addition, your home’s crawlspace is the ideal entry point for pests to enter and invade your home. (Think termites, cockroaches, ants, earwigs, and millipedes)

Mold Growth/Wood Rot

Along with pests, the high humidity also contributes to conditions suitable for mold growth and wood rot. This can cause severe health issues for members of your home that suffer from asthma and allergies.

Investing in the sealing of your home’s crawlspace won’t just help with cutting down on moisture issues; it can also improve the air quality of your home for you and your family. Acting as a natural pest control barrier, you can get back to enjoying those fall nights indoors and not worrying about what could be taking over your crawlspace.

Interested in crawlspace solutions for your home? Call your local crawlspace care provider to schedule an inspection for your home.

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