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 

Crawl Space Insulation And Indiana Cold Weather

As winter approaches, many Indiana homeowners start to consider ways to save money on energy and reduce heat loss. One of the best places for a homeowner to look at energy savings during the winter months is the crawl space, which then raises the question as to what is the proper way to insure your crawl space contributes to your homes energy savings and not the other way around.

To properly answer this question we must first understand a little bit more about Indiana crawl spaces in general. Most vented Indiana crawl spaces tend to be very wet, damp environments. The dirt floor of these crawl spaces also continuously has moisture escaping out of it and moving in an upward motion into the crawl space and up into the living areas (Stack Effect). Because of this, just simply installing fiberglass insulation in your crawl space without address any of the moisture issues can actually lead to more problems down the road and here's why. Fiberglass insulation installed in the crawl space between the floor joist will tend to act like a sponge for moisture that is escaping out of the dirt crawl space floor and working its way up through the house. This in turn allows the fiberglass insulation to absorb that moisture. Many times this makes the fiberglass insulation much heavier and runs the risk of falling out from between the floor joist and on the damp crawl space dirt floor. Fallen insulation in your crawl space can then become a problem for possible mold growth. The other, and sometimes more severe issue with fiberglass insulation holding moisture, is if the fiberglass insulation does not fall from between the floor joist. If the insulation remains installed between the floor joist and continues to hold moisture, then that moisture will eventually begin to effect the structural wood on the floor joist. Prolonged high moisture levels in the floor joist will eventually lead to costly issues such as mold growth or wood rot.

Because of these possible issues the real question becomes whether or not you should use fiberglass insulation in your Indiana crawl space at all? My answer to that would be a cautious yes, just as long as the homeowner has had the crawl space inspected for any excessive moisture issues that may effect the fiberglass insulation. If the crawl space is found to have issues with excessive moisture than the following solutions should be considered prior to any installation of fiberglass insulation in your crawl space.

1. Drainage/Sump Pump-If excessive moisture in your crawl space is being caused by standing water in your crawl space then the first step would be to install a proper sump basin and sump pump. Depending on the amount of standing water that the crawl space gets, a complete crawl space drainage system may need to be considered as well in order to keep the crawl space free of standing water permanently.

1. Vapor Barrier-Installing a proper vapor barrier across the entire dirt floor of your crawl space should be the first consideration when dealing with excessive crawl space moisture that is not being caused by standing water. A proper crawl space vapor barrier works by trapping the moisture escaping out of the dirt floor, keeping it from moving up into the crawl space and becoming absorbed by the fiberglass insulation.

2. Crawl Space Encapsulation System-Sometimes a vapor barrier alone may not reduce the moisture levels in your crawl space to an acceptable level. This tends to be the issue when there are other factors contributing to the excessive moisture other than just the dirt crawl space floor. These other factors can include foundation block seepage or excessive moisture being caused by outside air coming into the crawl space from the crawl space vents. If these other factors are playing a part in the excessive moisture issues of your crawl space then a complete crawl space encapsulation system may need to be considered. A crawl space encapsulation system works by sealing the crawl space off from all of the outside environments, which in turn creates a barrier from all areas that are contributing to the excessive moisture rather than just the dirt crawl space floor.

For more information about crawl space insulation or any other crawl space issue please 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.

Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Waterproofing Indianapolis

A wet crawl space can be a very big problem for Indiana homeowners. Water problems in your crawl space not only effect your crawl space, but also effect the living area above the crawl space. Water or even excessive moisture in your crawl space will eventually lead to mold growth, wood rot, and musty odors coming for the crawl space. Many times a standard 6mill plastic or vapor barrier is used to help keep moisture from escaping out of the ground and into the crawl space. These types of barriers only address a small area of concern when dealing with water or moisture in your crawl space, not to mention they are easily torn or moved by crawling on them. Excessive moisture in your crawl space not only comes from the dirt floor, but also comes from block seepage and from the foundation vents. Vents allow outside air into your crawl space. During the warmer months, this outside air can carry a high amount of moisture in it. Allowing that type of air into your crawl space will only add to the moisture that is already there. The most effective way to eliminate excessive moisture in your crawl space is to have the crawl space sealed off completely from the outside environment. This is done by completely encapsulating the crawl space. A proper crawl space encapsulation system needs to be thicker than a 6mill plastic. At SwainCo. Crawl Space and Basement Repair we install crawl space encapsulation systems using a tough 20mill waterproofing membrane. So tough we back it with a lifetime warranty on rips and tears. This crawl space encapsulation system is installed along the dirt crawl space floor and up the foundation walls, being permanently attached to the foundation itself. All foundation vents are then sealed from the inside as well to prevent excessive moisture coming into the crawl space from the outside air. If your crawl space has problems with standing water, than a lifetime warranty crawl space drainage system may need to be installed as well. To find out more information about how to transform your problem crawl space into a dry, healthy crawl space click here or call SwainCo. Crawl Space and Basement Repair-Indy's Original Experts at 317-407-1868

Crawl Space Waterproofing in Indianapolis, Indiana

Waterproofing your crawl space can save Indiana homeowners money by preventing costly crawl space issues such as mold growth, wood rot, and foundation failure. Standing water in your crawl space can be caused by block seepage, or water coming up through the dirt crawl space floor. Any amount of standing water in your crawl space can cause problems. Not only can it cause musty, moldy smells in the living area, it can also cause crawl space wood damage and mold growth by creating very high levels of moisture in your crawl space. If your crawl space has fiberglass insulation, this moisture can be absorbed in the insulation and cause it to become heavy and fall. SwainCo. warranted crawl space drainage systems will permanently keep you crawl space dry. Our crawl space drainage systems are installed around the inside perimeter of the crawl space, and connected to a sump basin and sump pump. They are the most effective, permanent solution to standing water in your crawl space. If your crawl space has problems with standing water, call 317-294-5278 or click here for a free crawl space waterproofing inspection.