Health and safety issues must be considered when installing a crawl space. As air warms in a home, it rises and leaves through the upper regions of the house, much in the same way that air moves through a chimney. This phenomenon, called the "stack effect," causes the home to suck air up from the crawlspace into the main area of the home. Mould spores, decomposition odours, and fecal material from dust mites in the crawlspace can come up with the air, aggravating breathing problems (such as asthma) and creating a variety of health-related problems.[4]

It is usually desirable to finish a crawlspace with a plastic vapour barrier that will not support mould growth or allow humidity from the earth into the crawlspace. This helps insulate the crawlspace and discourages the habitation of insects and vermin by breaking the ecological chain in which insects feed off the mould and vermin feed on the insects, as well as creating a physical inorganic barrier that deters entrance into the space. Vapour barriers can end at the wall or be run up the wall and fastened to provide even more protection against moisture infiltration. Some pest control agencies recommend against covering the walls as it complicates their job of inspection and spraying. Almost unheard of as late as the 1990s, vapour barriers are becoming increasingly popular in recent years, in fact, the more general topic of conditioned vs. unconditioned crawlspaces has enjoyed much research over the last decade.
 

A compromised crawl space endangers the structural integrity of the foundation system.

Damage occurs when the environment is moist, exposing joists, sill plate, support beams, subfloor, piers, block foundation walls, etcetera, to undesirable temperatures and water vapor levels.

 

Call today to have a Certified Technician solve your problems.