If you can’t find the cause of your screamingly high utility bills, you may not be looking in the right place. You have insulation in the attic, have your walls filled with blown insulation, weatherstrip and caulk until Home Depot employees name their kids after you, but unless you pay attention to the crawl space, you’re going to have problems.
How Did That Happen?
The truth is that not many states require builders to do anything with the crawl space other than making sure that it is built to code. This leaves a vulnerable point under your home that can be exploited by critters – think rodents, skunks, and raccoons, or it can let in insect pests. But in humid climates by far the biggest danger is that high humidity and standing water will give mold, rot, mildew, and even black mold a foothold in your home.
What to Do?
For those with DIY chops at an intermediate level, heading to the Home Depot for crawl space encapsulation supplies might seem like the obvious answer. The less obvious answer is to call a professional to give your site, foundation, and crawlspace a thorough assessment before diving into a problem you may not fully appreciate. What a professional look over the job and tell you exactly what needs to be done, then figure out how much of it you can do.
Local Pros are Best
Local professionals understand the climate and weather as well as soil conditions. They can recommend additional drainage that will move water away from your crawl space and foundation. They can give you the options when it comes to choosing crawl space encapsulation supplies. Then they – and you – can do their parts to make sure that your crawl space is clean and dry – and will stay that way for years to come.
