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Basement Crawl Space Ventilation Systems
New Basement Crawl Space Ventilation Systems are
Keeping Homes Healthier
By: Mark J. Donovan
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One of the chief reasons mold and
mildew growth in the home has become a major concern is due to the simple
fact that homes are built much tighter than years ago. One of the downsides
of a tightly built home is that higher moisture levels are observed in the
home. Higher moisture levels within the home can frequently lead to mold and
mildew growth. Basement crawl spaces are one of the major contributors for
creating moisture in the home.
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Besides causing mold and mildew,
unventilated crawl spaces can cause outright rot and decay of the home’s framing
structure.
Consequently it is important to
ventilate the basement crawl space to eliminate the high moisture levels in the
crawl space.
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Yesterday’s
Basement Crawl Space Ventilation Systems
In the past, crawl space systems
were manual and typically consisted of vents that could be opened or closed
depending upon the time of the year and outside humidity levels. These were
a pain to maintain and use, as it meant crawling into the crawl space and
opening or closing the vents depending upon the time of year and humidity
levels. |
Photo By Mark Donovan |
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As a result, crawl spaces were never
effectively ventilated.
Today’s Basement
Crawl Space Ventilation Systems
Today, with new technology there are
crawl space ventilation systems that can monitor both the crawl space and
outdoor temperature and humidity levels. When outside conditions are right for
ventilating the humid crawl space, the vents are automatically opened and a fan
in the ventilation system pulls in the dryer outside air and/or pushes out the
humid crawl space air.
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| Normally with a crawl space
ventilation system there are at least two, and possibly several, crawl space
ventilation vents/fans. Some may act as exhaust units and others as intakes.
As a complete crawl space ventilation system they will work together to ensure
that the crawl space has sufficient airflow and that the humidity level is
maintained to a low level. The only issue with these types of systems is that
the crawl space may need to be heated if there is plumbing within them.
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For example, in colder months these type of crawl space
ventilation systems suck in cold, dry air. This cold air could cause the
freezing of pipes. As a result, pipes may need to be insulated and/or the crawl
space partially heated.
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Other Basement
Crawl Space Ventilation Tips
Another way to suppress moisture
levels in a basement crawl space is to install polyethylene (plastic) down on
the crawl space floor. This is particularly important if the crawl space has an
earthen floor. By laying a sheet of polyethylene plastic on the floor of the
basement crawl space you can dramatically reduce the amount of moist air in the
crawl space.
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Related
Crawl Space Information
Additional Basement Remodeling Resources from
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