Crawlspace Waterproofing – Have Your Air Sealed Your Crawl Space?

Many homeowners that invest in crawlspace waterproofing will have their crawlspaces sealed from the external environment. This is a great way to keep moisture from the soil and air in the external environment from entering the crawlspace. However, many homeowners will not consider air-sealing the crawlspaces. Below, we discuss the importance of air sealing a crawlspace and how this can be achieved.

Crawlspaces are often overlooked by homeowners, but they can have a significant impact on the health and safety of your home. Crawlspace waterproofing is an essential step in protecting your property from moisture and water damage. This process of waterproof, involves sealing the crawl space from the external environment, including the soil and air. However, while many homeowners understand the importance of sealing their crawlspace, they may not realize the importance of air sealing.

Air sealing is a critical step in protecting your home’s air quality and preventing moisture problems. When a crawlspace is sealed, the air within the space can become stagnant, and this air can move through gaps in your home’s structure. This can contaminate the air in your living space and lead to mold growth or wood rot.

Air sealing your crawlspace is essential to prevent the movement of air from the crawlspace into the living space above and vice versa. It preserves the air quality in your home and avoids moisture problems in the crawlspace. Additionally, air sealing your crawlspace can increase the energy efficiency of your home, resulting in lower energy bills.

There are several areas to consider when air sealing your crawlspace. The first and most obvious place to seal is the sub-floor. The sub-floor has gaps in areas where utilities such as electrical wires, air ducts, and plumbing penetrate the floor. Air can pass through these tiny gaps, so it’s important to seal them. This can be done using spray foam. However, you need to be extremely careful when sealing the subfloor, as wires and other services may have to be moved around to access the penetrations and seal them. Hiring a crawlspace waterproofing professional will help ensure safety during this process.

If your home has an HVAC system with ducts running through the crawlspace, you should have these ducts sealed. Reports indicate that up to 25 percent of air from your living space is lost through the gaps in the ductwork to the crawlspace. Sealing these gaps using duct sealing tape can prevent this.

Rim joists are another important area to consider when air sealing your crawlspace. If you have a concrete or block foundation, your foundation is likely to have rim joists. These joists are sites where condensation often forms within the crawlspace. It is therefore important to insulate the joists and seal them using foam board. This will prevent air transfer and heat transfer, improving the energy efficiency of your home.

Why Air Seal Your Crawlspace?

Crawlspace waterproofing often involves sealing the crawlspace. The air within the sealed crawlspace is often of poor quality when compared to the air within the home. This air can move through gaps in your home’s structure and contaminate the air in your living space. The air in the living space can also move into the crawlspace through these gaps. The air from the living space may contain moisture which can result in increased humidity within the crawlspace. This can lead to moisture problems such as the growth of mold or rotting of wood.

Air sealing helps prevent air movement from the crawlspace into the living space above and vice versa. It will help to preserve the air quality in your home and avoid moisture problems in the crawlspace. An added bonus of air sealing is increased energy efficiency of your home which will result in lower energy bills.

Areas to Consider for Air Sealing:

1. Sub-floor

The sub-floor is the first and most obvious place to consider when air sealing a crawl space. The subfloor is the flooring structure that separates the crawl space from the living area above the ground. It typically has gaps where pipes, electrical wires, air ducts, and plumbing penetrate the floor, which can allow air to pass through.

Sealing these gaps is essential to prevent the exchange of air between the crawl space and the living area. It can be done using spray foam insulation, which expands to fill gaps and create an airtight seal. It is important to be careful when sealing the subfloor because electrical wires and other services may need to be moved around to access and repair the penetrations and seal them properly.

Spray foam insulation is an effective method of sealing the subfloor because it can expand to fill even the tiniest gaps, creating a tight seal that blocks any air transfer. Additionally, spray foam insulation also provides a thermal barrier, which helps to keep the crawl space warm in cold or wet weather. This is especially important if the crawl space is located beneath the main living area because it can help to prevent heat loss and improve the overall energy efficiency of the home.

Professional crawlspace waterproofing companies can help homeowners seal their crawl space correctly and safely. They have the expertise and equipment to ensure that the work is done correctly, and homeowners can be confident that their crawl space waterproofing is sealed correctly. Additionally, they can also help identify other areas of the crawl space that may need sealing, which can help improve the overall air quality in the home.

Overall, sealing the drain in the subfloor is an essential step in air-sealing a crawl space. It can help prevent air and moisture transfer between the crawl space and living area, improve the overall energy efficiency of the home, and help maintain healthy indoor air quality. Homeowners should consider hiring a professional waterproofing company to ensure that the work is done correctly and safely.

2. Ductwork

If your home has an HVAC system with ducts running through the crawlspace, you should have these ducts sealed. Reports indicate that up to 25 percent of air from your living space is lost through the gaps in the ductwork to the exterior crawlspace. You can prevent this by sealing these gaps using duct sealing tape.

Ductwork is an important consideration when air sealing a crawl space. HVAC systems rely on ductwork to distribute conditioned air throughout the home, and many of these ducts run through the crawl space. Unfortunately, ductwork can be a major source of air leaks, which can result in significant energy loss and reduced indoor air quality.

Air leaks in ductwork can cause up to 25% of the air from the living space to be lost through gaps in the ductwork and into the crawl space. This results in increased energy consumption and higher utility bills. In addition, the crawl space can contain moisture and contaminants, which can negatively impact the indoor air quality of the living space if the air from the crawl space is being pulled into the HVAC system.

To prevent these problems, it is important to seal the ductwork in the basement or crawl space. This can be done by using duct sealing tape or mastic sealant. Duct sealing tape is a specialized tape that is designed to adhere to ductwork and create an airtight seal. Mastic sealant is a putty-like substance that can be applied to seams and joints to create an airtight seal.

It is important to note that duct sealing is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge and tools. Improper sealing can cause more harm than good, so it is recommended to hire a professional HVAC technician or crawlspace drainage and waterproofing company to perform this work.

In addition to sealing the ductwork, it is also important to ensure that the ducts are properly insulated. Proper insulation can help to prevent heat loss or gain and reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Insulated ductwork can also help to reduce condensation within the ducts, which can reduce the risk of mold growth and other moisture-related issues.

Overall, sealing and insulating the ductwork in the crawl space is an essential step in air sealing the crawl space waterproofing itself. It can help to reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and prevent moisture-related problems. Homeowners should consider hiring a professional HVAC technician or crawlspace waterproofing company to ensure that the work is done correctly and safely.

3. Rim joists

If you have a concrete or block foundation, your foundation is likely to have rim joists. These joists are sites where condensation often forms within the crawlspace. It is therefore essential to insulate the joists and seal them using foam board. This will not only prevent air transfer but also heat transfer. It will improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Rim joists are another area of a crawl space that can be a major source of air leaks. Rim joists are horizontal members that run along the top of the foundation walls and support the ends of the floor joists. They are a critical structural component of the home, but they can also be a source of air infiltration and energy loss.

Rim joists are often left unsealed, which can allow air to flow freely between the crawl space and the living space above. In addition, rim joists can be installed at a site where condensation often forms within the crawl space. Moisture in the crawl space can lead to a host of problems, including mold growth, wood rot, and other moisture-related damage.

To prevent these problems, it is important to seal and insulate the rim joists in the crawl space. This can be done by a contractor using foam board insulation and a specialized sealant. Foam board insulation is a rigid, lightweight material that can be cut to fit the shape of the rim joist. It is an effective insulator that can help to reduce heat loss or gain through the foundation walls.

Once the foam board insulation is in place, it is important to seal the rim joists with a specialized sealant. The sealant is designed to create an airtight seal between the foam board insulation and the rim joist, preventing air from flowing between the crawl space and the living space. The sealant can also help protect and to prevent moisture from entering the crawl space and causing damage.

It is important to note that sealing and insulating rim joists can be a challenging process, particularly in crawl spaces that are difficult to access. Homeowners should consider the cost of hiring a professional crawlspace waterproofing company to perform this work. Professionals have the specialized knowledge and tools needed to properly seal and insulate rim joists, ensuring that the job is done correctly and safely.

Overall, sealing and insulating rim joists is an essential step in air sealing a crawl space. It can help to prevent air leaks, improve energy efficiency, and prevent moisture-related problems. Homeowners should consider hiring a professional to perform this work to ensure that it is done correctly and safely.

In conclusion, crawlspace waterproofing and air sealing are essential steps in protecting your home from moisture problems and preserving its air quality. Air sealing is critical to preventing the movement of air from the crawlspace into the living space above and vice versa. By sealing the sub-floor, ductwork, and rim joists, you can prevent air transfer and heat transfer, improving the energy efficiency of your home. Hiring a crawlspace waterproofing professional can help ensure that these steps are done correctly and safely, protecting your home for years to come.

Is your home air sealed? Contact the Professionals at Everdry Waterproofing of Greater Grand Rapids Today! (800) 275-7910