Moisture Control

Burl’s Moisture Control Services

What’s the best way to control this moisture? This web page will examine several options that BURL’S Termite and Pest Control can apply, and will look at where the moisture comes from.

Crawlspaces and Moisture Control Left untreated, crawlspace moisture can wreak havoc on a house.

Crawlspace construction is a popular practice in many areas of the country.
However, one of the inherent problems with crawlspace construction is the control of moisture under the house. Moisture can contribute to conditions that can lead to a number of problems – some with serious and expensive consequences, including:

  • The growth of spores and fungus
  • Warped wood that can cause floors to buckle and squeak
  • Wood destroying fungus
  • Wet insulation that loses its R-value
  • An irritating musty smelt
  • Creating an environment attractive to termites

Moisture in the crawlspace can come from a number of sources, including the ground itself.

Moisture can also result from poor drainage or grade problems that allow moisture to seep under the home rather than away from it. Landscaping can hold water around the house, and improperly located gutters and downspouts.
In addition, any plumbing pipes under the home that leak can become sources of high moisture levels. Finally, humid outside air entering a cooler environment under the house can cause condensation that can contribute to moisture buildup.
Once identified, moisture sources should be remedied.

  • Plumbing should be checked and any leaks repaired
  • Downspouts should be directed away from the crawlspace
  • The grade should slope away from the house
  • Landscaping should be trimmed

One of the biggest sources of moisture is the ground itself.

Moisture is present in and moves up through the ground. That’s why a vapor barrier is recommended for all crawlspaces. Vapor barriers should cover 80 – 90% of the ground, with 10 – 20% of the area left uncovered to allow moisture to escape.

Several strategies

can be used to help control moisture levers under the home. The most practical and usually least expensive is ventilation.
Ventilation should be designed as a system to create a movement of fresh air through the space. Air movement, even if the air is not completely dry, helps remove moisture, For example, if the temperature and humidity levels are identical, water in a puddle or in a pool evaporates faster if it’s windy – if air is moving – than when the air is still.

Automatic Temp-vent

is a revolutionary type of foundation ventilator for the crawl space under a home-it opens and closes by itself.
Temp-vent automatically helps prevent excess dampness under your home. Dampness leads to foundation decay. Dampness leads to unhealthy molds which can cause asthma and hay fever. Dampness also hinders your termite control program.

Temp-Vent

Will help protect and preserve the wood in your home by control of under-floor dampness. Temp-vent automatically helps prevent pipe freeze-up.
Temp-vent automatically stops wasted fuel ($$) and heat loss due to open manual vents.
That’s right! You do nothing. Temp-vent opens and closes automatically according to the outside temperature to prevent dampness and to save fuel! No motors or electricity.
Old fashioned manual vents would require your attention all through the year to save maximum fuel and deter damp rot. Temp-vent does it better-automatically.

The Problem With Manual Vents

In the past, manual foundation vents were widely used. A Lever on the front of the vent is used to open and chose the vent. However, many of these foundation vents have remained either open or closed year after year. That’s because most homeowners forget to open or close their vents when the weather changes.

If vents remain closed you could have a serious problem with termites, damp rot and fungus.

If vents stay open in cold weather, you may be wasting fuel and making it easy for your pipes to freeze.

If you hand-regulate your vents, you can’t do a good job because the outside temperature varies greatly from day to day and between night and day. To do a good job you would have to close your vents at night during spring and fall. And, you would have to open your vents on warm days in the winter.

Today, an automatic foundation vent is available from Temp Vent. Temp Vents are temperature sensitive so they open and close automatically with changes in the weather.

Now you can take the worry out of hand regulating your foundation vents.
Installing new Temp Vent automatic foundation vents will ventilate your crawlspace and help control moisture and termite damage while improving the look of your home.

FORGETTING TO CLOSE MANUAL VENTS CAN COST MONEY
FORGETTING TO OPEN MANUAL VENTS CAN CAUSE FOUNDATION DECAY .
TEMP-VENT SOLVES BOTH PROBLEMS.


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