The crawl space is one of the areas that most homeowners dread to enter, and that’s quite understandable, considering that it’s dark, constricting, and wet. The thought of it can make most people afraid.
While you may consider your crawl space as an unpleasant part of the home, it serves important purposes. It helps you gain access to vital sections of the house and also helps to control conditions within your home for better comfort.
One way to help the crawl space function much better is by getting it waterproofed. It also makes it more manageable to enter.
In this article, we discuss the advantages of crawl space waterproofing in Louisville.
It maintains the structural integrity of your home
When water seeps into your crawl space, the structural integrity of your home is compromised. Not only can a damp crawl space cause problems to your concrete foundation, but it also threatens other parts of your home.
In addition to causing damage to your foundation, a wet crawl space can cause wood beams to rot, and metals to rust, especially when excess moisture has seeped in. With time, you may start to notice cracks on your walls and floor due to a wet crawl space.
Fortunately, this moisture problem can be prevented by crawl space waterproofing. This will prevent moisture from seeping into your walls and floors and make your home much safer.
It protects you and your family from health issues
Mold growth can be a major problem when excess moisture finds its way into your crawl space. Due to excess humidity, a wet crawl space can quickly become a breeding ground for the growth of mold and mildew. If this is left unaddressed, other parts of your structure can also be affected.
The invasion of mold can cause some health problems. Some of the mild effects of mold may include coughing and allergy irritations. In extreme cases, you may experience wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma symptoms may worsen.
All these can be prevented by waterproofing your crawl space in Louisville.
It protects your home from unwanted critters
Your Louisville property can be invaded by unwanted critters when the crawl space is moist. Some common pests that you may begin to see around are ants and cockroaches. In extreme cases, you may be infiltrated by termites, mice, and rats. All these animals are known to thrive in moist environments and they can cause damage to your furniture and other wood fixtures.
The dust mite is another pesky intruder that does well in moisture. It is one of the greatest causes of allergies.
With crawl space waterproofing in Louisville, these critters will be prevented from entering and thriving in your home.
It reduces your electric bills
If you notice a gradual or sudden surge in your energy bills, then your wet crawl space may be the culprit. When your crawl space is wet or has trapped humidity, your HVAC system is forced to work harder to regulate the temperature within your home, which eventually takes a toll on the system. With time, you may need to replace your HVAC system sooner than expected.
In addition to removing excess moisture, crawl space waterproofing also leads to sealing the space, which helps to fix all your air leaks. Doing this will further help to keep your energy bills under control.
It boosts the value of your home
There are many glamorous ways to boost your property’s value, such as installing smart home technology or solar panels. However, even though not as glamorous, crawl space waterproofing can significantly increase your home’s value.
While you may dread entering your crawl space, you may be shocked that potential buyers don’t share the feeling. When they find out that your crawl space is waterproofed and secure, it leaves them with the impression that you have taken care of your property and will be eager to buy it.
More so, no one wants to have to deal with a wet crawl space. So, you can be sure that waterproofing is a long-term investment.
It protects your basement from flooding
Flooding can have serious effects on different parts of your home. However, the effects of flood in your crawl space can be particularly devastating and dangerous. A flood in your crawl space can easily cause water damage in other parts of the home.
For instance, since your crawl space is just below the basement, moisture from it can rise can cause damage of all sorts in your basement. The best way to prevent this is to waterproof the crawl space.
Bottom line
According to the Home Guide, you may be spending between $3,000 and $8,000 to waterproof your crawl space. However, when you consider the many benefits that come with such an addition to your Louisville property, you would realize that the investment is worth it.
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