Crawl Space Repair Considerations
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Brown Dave
Apr 17, 2010, 7:25:01 PM4/17/10
to publish-the...@googlegroups.com
*****************************************************************
Message delivered directly to members of the group:
publish-the...@googlegroups.com
*****************************************************************
Please consider this free-reprint article written by:
Brown Dave
*****************************
IMPORTANT - Publication/Reprint Terms
- You have permission to publish this article electronically in free-only publications such as a website or an ezine as long as the bylines are included.
- You are not allowed to use this article for commercial purposes. The article should only be reprinted in a publicly accessible website and not in a members-only commercial site.
- You are not allowed to post/reprint this article in any sites/publications that contains or supports hate, violence, porn and warez or any indecent and illegal sites/publications.
- You are not allowed to use this article in UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email) or SPAM. This article MUST be distributed in an opt-in email list only.
- If you distribute this article in an ezine or newsletter, we ask that you send a copy of the newsletter or ezine that contains the article to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=504708
- If you post this article in a website/forum/blog, ALL links MUST be set to hyperlinks and we ask that you send a copy of the URL where the article is posted to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=504708
- We request that you ask permission from the author if you want to publish this article in print.
The role of iSnare.com is only to distribute this article as part of its Article Distribution feature ( http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php ). iSnare.com does NOT own this article, please respect the author's copyright and this publication/reprint terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms, please do not reprint or publish this article.
*****************************
Article Title: Crawl Space Repair Considerations
Author: Brown Dave
Word Count: 582
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=504708&ca=Home+Management
Format: 64cpl
Contact The Author: http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=504708
Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=504708
*********************** ARTICLE START ***********************
A crawl space is defined as a type of basement that is so shallow you cannot stand up. Specifically, it is the area between the ground and the floor of the structure above. It may or may not be sealed off from the outside by a cinder block wall or other framing; generally there is a perimeter wall for the sake of appearing more finished. The distinguishing feature, and the one that causes problems is that the floor of a crawl space is earth.
Crawl space waterproofing presents unique problems within a residential home. In order to keep ground moisture vapor from rising up into the home and creating structural damage you must seal it off. Short of the very expensive solution of creating a finished basement beneath an existing house, how do you "seal" the ground while at the same time permitting it to serve as usable storage space?
In the past, a layer of Visqueen (a trademarked brand of polyethylene sheeting) was simply placed over the earth to serve as the crawl space vapor barrier. This is effective in the short run, preventing water vapor from rising into the structure of the house to some degree. Inevitably though, it develops cracks and is dislodged due to foot traffic and item storage. Another method that was often utilized was to build vents into the crawl-space walls. The thinking was that air circulation would force the moisture in the crawl space air to end up outside. Testing proved this to be wrong; in fact, lower humidity levels were achieved in a closed environment that had utilized proper crawl space repair techniques than one that was vented. Obviously, winter temperatures are also more easily controlled without the openings.
Without question, much of the remedy is a floor and wall vapor barrier. Crawl space dynamics have resulted in fiber reinforced membrane materials that effectively contain soil moisture. If this membrane is installed properly, it will be attached to the walls with overlapping seams of at least six inches. Also, due to the "stack effect", warm air in a home rises and then leaves through the upper walls and attic. The home then replaces that warm air with cooler air sucked up from the crawl space below, which penetrates from the earth and crawl-space walls. So, sealing the walls in addition to the floor keeps the moisture and soil gases from entering the home in the first place.
There are many other benefits to crawl-space waterproofing. Moist air provides the perfect breeding environment for dust mites, roaches and spiders, not to mention molds and bacteria. Ultimately, larger vermin are also discouraged as they feed on the insects that in turn, feed on the mold and mildew. Your home is not the ideal place for the food chain to proliferate!
Aside from the "ick" factor, the negative effects of moisture on the structure of the house can get expensive and dangerous. Flooring boards expand and buckle, rot permeates beams and joists, condensation occurs on insulation, water pipes and ductwork, humidity increases in living areas raising heating and air conditioning costs and electrical-mechanical systems deteriorate. All of this decreases the value of the home.
If your crawl space is not presently sealed, contact a fully insured and licensed foundation waterproofing and repair company. The best ones will generally come out to the house and perform a free inspection and prepare an estimate for the repairs.
About The Author: Know more about crawlspace vapor barrier and vapor barrier crawl space at: http://www.staydrywaterproofing.com/
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=504708
*********************** ARTICLE END ***********************
- To distribute your articles go to http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php
- For more free-reprint articles go to http://www.isnare.com --
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Publish These Articles" group.
To post to this group, send email to publish-the...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to publish-these-art...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/publish-these-articles?hl=en.
Message delivered directly to members of the group:
publish-the...@googlegroups.com
*****************************************************************
Please consider this free-reprint article written by:
Brown Dave
*****************************
IMPORTANT - Publication/Reprint Terms
- You have permission to publish this article electronically in free-only publications such as a website or an ezine as long as the bylines are included.
- You are not allowed to use this article for commercial purposes. The article should only be reprinted in a publicly accessible website and not in a members-only commercial site.
- You are not allowed to post/reprint this article in any sites/publications that contains or supports hate, violence, porn and warez or any indecent and illegal sites/publications.
- You are not allowed to use this article in UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email) or SPAM. This article MUST be distributed in an opt-in email list only.
- If you distribute this article in an ezine or newsletter, we ask that you send a copy of the newsletter or ezine that contains the article to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=504708
- If you post this article in a website/forum/blog, ALL links MUST be set to hyperlinks and we ask that you send a copy of the URL where the article is posted to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=504708
- We request that you ask permission from the author if you want to publish this article in print.
The role of iSnare.com is only to distribute this article as part of its Article Distribution feature ( http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php ). iSnare.com does NOT own this article, please respect the author's copyright and this publication/reprint terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms, please do not reprint or publish this article.
*****************************
Article Title: Crawl Space Repair Considerations
Author: Brown Dave
Word Count: 582
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=504708&ca=Home+Management
Format: 64cpl
Contact The Author: http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=504708
Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=504708
*********************** ARTICLE START ***********************
A crawl space is defined as a type of basement that is so shallow you cannot stand up. Specifically, it is the area between the ground and the floor of the structure above. It may or may not be sealed off from the outside by a cinder block wall or other framing; generally there is a perimeter wall for the sake of appearing more finished. The distinguishing feature, and the one that causes problems is that the floor of a crawl space is earth.
Crawl space waterproofing presents unique problems within a residential home. In order to keep ground moisture vapor from rising up into the home and creating structural damage you must seal it off. Short of the very expensive solution of creating a finished basement beneath an existing house, how do you "seal" the ground while at the same time permitting it to serve as usable storage space?
In the past, a layer of Visqueen (a trademarked brand of polyethylene sheeting) was simply placed over the earth to serve as the crawl space vapor barrier. This is effective in the short run, preventing water vapor from rising into the structure of the house to some degree. Inevitably though, it develops cracks and is dislodged due to foot traffic and item storage. Another method that was often utilized was to build vents into the crawl-space walls. The thinking was that air circulation would force the moisture in the crawl space air to end up outside. Testing proved this to be wrong; in fact, lower humidity levels were achieved in a closed environment that had utilized proper crawl space repair techniques than one that was vented. Obviously, winter temperatures are also more easily controlled without the openings.
Without question, much of the remedy is a floor and wall vapor barrier. Crawl space dynamics have resulted in fiber reinforced membrane materials that effectively contain soil moisture. If this membrane is installed properly, it will be attached to the walls with overlapping seams of at least six inches. Also, due to the "stack effect", warm air in a home rises and then leaves through the upper walls and attic. The home then replaces that warm air with cooler air sucked up from the crawl space below, which penetrates from the earth and crawl-space walls. So, sealing the walls in addition to the floor keeps the moisture and soil gases from entering the home in the first place.
There are many other benefits to crawl-space waterproofing. Moist air provides the perfect breeding environment for dust mites, roaches and spiders, not to mention molds and bacteria. Ultimately, larger vermin are also discouraged as they feed on the insects that in turn, feed on the mold and mildew. Your home is not the ideal place for the food chain to proliferate!
Aside from the "ick" factor, the negative effects of moisture on the structure of the house can get expensive and dangerous. Flooring boards expand and buckle, rot permeates beams and joists, condensation occurs on insulation, water pipes and ductwork, humidity increases in living areas raising heating and air conditioning costs and electrical-mechanical systems deteriorate. All of this decreases the value of the home.
If your crawl space is not presently sealed, contact a fully insured and licensed foundation waterproofing and repair company. The best ones will generally come out to the house and perform a free inspection and prepare an estimate for the repairs.
About The Author: Know more about crawlspace vapor barrier and vapor barrier crawl space at: http://www.staydrywaterproofing.com/
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=504708
*********************** ARTICLE END ***********************
- To distribute your articles go to http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php
- For more free-reprint articles go to http://www.isnare.com --
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Publish These Articles" group.
To post to this group, send email to publish-the...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to publish-these-art...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/publish-these-articles?hl=en.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages