Crawlspace Moisture

A source of water vapor or moisture in a home is usually the crawlspace. If the soil is damp, as much as 20 gallons of water per 24 hours can evaporate into the air in a 1,400-square-foot crawlspace. Without a vapor barrier, the moisture passes through the floor in the form of vapor, thereby raising the relative humidity to the point that serious condensation problems occur.

As the water vapor passes through to the interior of the house, the moisture content of the floor joist is often raised to a level that supports growth of fungi on the wood joists. Some of these organisms do not damage the wood while others are capable of total destruction.

The Solution

Aavon Home Services can seal your crawlspace, providing a full vapor barrier to protect both your home and your health. The photos to the right show a crawlspace before and after vapor barrier installation. Call Aavon for your free estimate today!

If You Don't...

Excess moisture can result in very serious problems. Some of the common symptoms of a crawl space moisture problem are:

• Mold or moisture damage in the crawl space or living area
• Musty odors in the living area
• Condensation ("sweating") on air conditioning ductwork or equipment
• Premature rusting of nearby heat, air conditioning or water heating equipment
• Condensation on insulation, water pipes or truss plates in the crawl space
• Buckled hardwood floors
• High humidity in the living area
• Insect infestations
• Rot in wooden framing members