Indiana Crawl Space Vents

Crawl space ventilation in Indiana was based on the idea that installing foundation vents around the perimeter of the crawl space foundation would allow for outside air to flow through crawl space, which in turn would allow the crawl space to dry out by allowing more air to circulate through the crawl space. But here in Indiana, the opposite is true and here’s why.

During the spring and summer months in Indiana, the outside air tends to be very hot and humid. Humid because of the relative humidity or the moisture that this outside air has in it. Your crawl space on the other hand tends to be relatively cool year round due to it basically being a large hole in the ground. Crawl space vents allow this hot and humid outside air to flow into your crawl space carrying with it the high levels of moisture that is already in the air. This alone introduces your crawl space to additional moisture by allowing the wet, hot outside air to flow into your crawl space. Additional moisture is also created in the crawl space due to the fact that this wet, humid outside air is now mixing with the cooler air in the crawl space.

Outside air mixing with the cooler air in the crawl space causes additional moisture due to the fact that for every (1) degree that warm air is cooled, the relative humidity increases by 2.2 percent. When the relative humidity of the air in your crawl space exceeds 100%, the moisture is released from the air in the form of actual water or condensation. Examples of this can be seen in the crawl space on duct lines and pipes in the form of condensation.

Based on these facts, we can now take a look at an example of an average size Indiana vented crawl space and how wet, humid outside air can affect the moisture levels. Let’s assume the outside temperature in the air is 80 degrees with a relative humidity of 80%. And we will assume the air temperature in the crawl space is 65 degrees. The difference in the temperature of the outside air versus the crawl space air is 15 degrees. We now know that for every degree the warm air is cooled, the relative humidity increases by 2.2%. If the outside air is cooled by 15 degrees, that creates an additional 33% increase in the relative humidity of the outside air once it makes it way into the crawl space. Which increases the overall relative humidity for the outside air to 113% which is impossible because once the relative humidity reaches 100%, moisture is released from the air in the form of water or condensation.

For these reasons, foundation vents that allow outside air into crawl space will not help in reducing the moisture levels of the crawl space. In fact, more ventilation of the crawl space will only increase the moisture problem of a crawl space. For more information click here or visit www.swaincollc.com 

Indiana Crawl Space Mold Remediation

SwainCo. HydroSafe Crawl Space Mold Remediation 

100% Safe Mold Remediation Process

What is HydroSafe Mold Remediation
Most crawl space mold remediation services are not only costly, but they are also performed by using an array of potentially harmful chemicals. In face, some of these mold remediation techniques require homeowners to vacate their house during the process and can leave long lasting odors in the upstairs living areas. SwainCo. HydroSafe Crawl Space Mold Remediation process eliminates much of the health concerns that are posed by using other mold remediation techniques. This is accomplished by using a much less toxic application applied to the areas of mold growth. The product used is an 8% strength hydrogen peroxide and 92% water mixture. This process is also known as the Carolina Protocol.

How Does It Work
The SwainCo. HydroSafe Crawl Space Mold Remediation utilizes a relatively new and effective proven method of mold remediation called the Carolina Protocol. The Carolina Protocol involves the use of an 8% strength hydrogen peroxide as the cleaning agent. The 8% strength hydrogen peroxide is applied to the areas of mold growth on the structural wood in the crawl space, causing the mold to be destroyed by a process called oxidation. This is the same process that takes place when, like many of us have, applied hydrogen peroxide to a small cut on our hand. After hydrogen peroxide is applied to a cut we see a bubbling action take place shortly after. This bubbling action is the bacteria in the cut being destroyed by oxidation. Although the hydrogen peroxide used to clean cuts is of a less strength, the same oxidation process that destroys the bacteria in the cut is the same oxidation process that destroys the mold growth.

Crawl space mold remediation does not need to be so time consuming, costly, or unhealthy for the homeowners. SwainCo's process of crawl space mold remediation is done is in 3 easy steps. SwainCo. also provides additional services to treat the underlining issues that caused the mold growth in your crawl space to begin with. Some of these additional services may include crawl space drainage systems, crawl space vapor barriers, or crawl space encapsulation systems. To find out more about our crawl space mold remediation process click here. If your Indiana crawl space is a problem crawl space click here to find out how SwainCo. Crawl Space and Basement Repair can transform your unhealthy crawl space into a dry, mold free, healthy crawl space.