3 Steps to Prepare Your Crawl Space for Summer Heat

Written By Holly Richards-PurpuraPublished on 06/15/2018Updated on 08/20/2024

If you have a vented crawl space under your house that is not properly sealed, you could be throwing money down the drain and allowing mold and musty odors to thrive below your feet. It’s not too late to take important steps that will benefit your home’s energy efficiency and health, as well as your wallet. Learn more about summertime crawl space problems and how our team at Ohio Basement Authority can help you solve them for good.

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The Problem with Crawl Spaces: Open Vents

Basements are the more typical foundation type used for homes in our region, but it’s not uncommon for houses to be constructed on top of a crawl space with open crawl space vents. However, this outdated building practice does more harm than good. Here’s why:

The stack effect means air from your crawl space circulates throughout your home, impacting your living environment due to the bottom-to-top air movement.
Energy loss & high utility bills occur when open vents let warm air into the crawl space, overworking your AC and increasing energy costs.
Pest problems arise as open vents essentially welcome bugs and critters into your home.
Water Intrusion in the crawl space can result from rainwater entering through vents, causing humidity, mold, rot, and other damages

How to Beat the Heat: Crawl Space Encapsulation & Repair

So, how can you address these problems and create a healthier, energy-efficient home? Your best bet is professional crawl space repair and encapsulation. Every crawl space project looks different, but here are some of the steps our team at Ohio Basement Authority takes to help your crawl space and home beat the summertime heat.

Step 1: Close & Seal Crawl Space Vents

There’s an ongoing debate over whether to open or close crawl space vents in summer. At Ohio Basement Authority, however, we recommend permanently sealing off open vents regardless of the time of year.

We place sections of durable foam insulation board over vent from inside the crawl space. This creates an airtight fit to block water from entry and make the space inhospitable for pests.

Step 2: Insulate the Crawl Space

Typical fiberglass insulation can easily fail and contribute to unhealthy, moldy conditions if it comes into contact with moisture and water.

Our thermal insulation panels are placed on the crawl space walls. These pest and water-resistant panels are two inches thick and are extremely cost-effective and energy-efficient.

Step 3: Properly Encapsulate the Crawl Space

Some crawl spaces already have plastic liners covering the dirt or gravel floors, but this material can easily trap moisture and lead to mold growth.

We install a vapor barrier that is similar to a swimming pool liner and has an anti-microbial coating. This thick and durable 20-mil liner is used to completely seal the crawl space to isolate it from the earth.

Other Crawl Space Repair Essentials

These high-level steps create an impenetrable crawl space, but your home may also need additional attention. Our other crawl space solutions include:

Ultimately, what’s included in your crawl space repair project depends on the type of damage it has sustained. The only way to be sure exactly what your home needs is to have a thorough evaluation completed by our expert team.

Crawl Space Repair Done Right: Contact Ohio Basement Authority

Are you looking forward to enjoying an energy-efficient home this summer? At Ohio Basement Authority, we’re well-versed in the challenges homeowners face with damaged crawl spaces.

Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and estimate, and take advantage of our extensive experience in diagnosing and repairing crawl spaces. Together, we can enhance your home’s comfort and efficiency for the warmer months ahead.

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FAQs

Can foundation drainage solutions be combined with other basement or crawl space repairs?

Absolutely! Ohio Basement Authority takes a comprehensive approach to home repair and can combine foundation drainage solutions with other services like basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, foundation repair, and more. This integrated approach ensures that all aspects of moisture control and structural integrity are addressed for long-term protection of your home.

How often should my crawl space dehumidifier be serviced?

You can enroll in an annual maintenance program when Ohio Basement Authority installs your home’s crawl space dehumidifier and other encapsulation solutions. During these checkups, our technicians inspect for leaks, clear drains, and replace filters, ensuring the system’s optimal performance. Contact us to learn more.

How often should the crawl space sump pump system be maintained?

We recommend yearly check-ups to ensure optimal operation. Enroll in our annual maintenance program when you waterproof and encapsulate your crawl space with Ohio Basement Authority. Contact us to learn more and to schedule a free crawl space inspection.

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for over 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.