So you’re having some issues with the area underneath your home. And regardless of what the issues are, you know you need to inspect your home’s crawl space so you can locate and correct them.
Well, there are a variety of tips and tricks that you need to keep in mind when dealing with crawl space repairs. Failure to do so can lead to you creating bigger issues, and even getting injured, which is never a good thing.
So how do you go about correcting moisture issues underneath your home? And do you really need a vapor barrier in your crawl space?
We’ve got the answers to those questions and more in this article.
Don’t Add Any Additional Vents
If you have a crawl space, you should have multiple crawl space vents located around your house. Often, these vents can be the cause of a variety of problems. That might make you tempted to mess around with them in an attempt to fix any issues, which isn’t a good idea.
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is to add more vents to your home’s crawl space. By doing this, you can create mold and mildew issues, which can make everyone in your home ill.
By closing some of those vents, you can also create similar issues, which of course, isn’t a good thing. If you believe your crawl space vents are causing issues, contact a professional to ensure you’re making the right decisions.
Make Sure the Ground Is Dry Beforehand
If you plan to do any work under your home, it’s a good idea to make sure the ground is dry beforehand. Even if you have to remove the water yourself, you don’t want to do any serious work under your home while the ground is still wet.
For instance, if you plan to put down a vapor barrier, doing so on wet ground is going to only create more moisture issues. And those moisture issues are going to create mold and mildew, which of course, isn’t what you want.
A pro tip? If you have water under your home, remove it with a waterproof shop vac. This is without a doubt the fastest way to do this, which is important if you have other tasks you want to accomplish afterward.
Install a Vapor Barrier
We’ve touched on this already, but if you have a crawl space, you should consider installing a vapor barrier in the near future. Even if you don’t have moisture issues under your home, a vapor barrier is a great way to be proactive and to prevent any from occurring in the future.
Installing a vapor barrier is relatively easy, although it can be more difficult if your crawl space doesn’t have a high ceiling. It’s also not a bad idea to let a professional handle this for you, as well as any other major crawl space repair, to ensure that it’s done correctly.
You can usually find all of the supplies you need for the process at your local home improvement store. Again, just be sure that the ground is dry before you install it so you don’t trap any moisture.
Inspect Your Floor Insulation
Of course, when you’re crawling around under your house, the roof is the floor of your home. Under that floor should be sheets of insulation that help keep your home at your desired temperature.
If you don’t have any sheets of insulation in your floor joists, you need to get some installed ASAP. Depending on the size of your home, this can be quite the project, meaning it might be a good idea to let a professional handle it for you.
But if you think you can handle it yourself, you should be able to find all of the supplies you need at your local hardware store. Just be sure to be safe and wear eyewear, as insulation can be quite painful, to say the least.
Hire a Professional to Help You
It can’t be overstated how important letting a professional help you with any major crawl space repairs truly is. Not only is it easy to make a mistake during any of these repairs, but you can also injure yourself too, which is never a good thing.
So if you’re not comfortable doing any of these repairs, don’t hesitate to call someone for help. Doing so can save you a ton of money in the long run, as well as keep you and your family safe, which is the overall goal.
Use These Crawl Space Repair Tips and Tricks
Well, there you have it! Those are a few basic crawl space repair tips and tricks that are worth knowing. So if you plan on going underneath your home soon, keep these ideas in mind so you can keep yourself and your family safe.
Don’t touch your crawl space vents too much, unless you have a decent idea of what you’re doing. Doing so can create new issues, which isn’t what you want.
If you plan on doing any crawl space work, make sure the ground underneath your home is dry. It’s very easy to remove any moisture with a shop vac, so take the time needed to do so before making any repairs.
Last but not least, don’t be afraid to call a professional for help. Doing so can help you save time and money, as well as prevent you from injuring yourself under your home.
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