Crawlspace Waterproofing – How to Keep Your Crawlspace Dry in Winter Mentor, OH
Winter and fall can spell disaster for a crawlspace. Your crawlspace can become damp and humid as a result of the weather conditions. This, in turn, will affect the conditions in your home.
A clean and dry crawlspace will ensure a structurally sound foundation. It will also ensure better conditions within your home. Crawlspace waterproofing is necessary for keeping your crawlspace dry in winter. However, contrary to what many homeowners believe, waterproofing isn’t just about encapsulating your crawlspace. Below are some of the many steps you need to take to ensure that your crawlspace remains dry in winter.
- Clean your gutters
Dealing with the sources of moisture entering your crawlspace is key to keeping it dry. One of the major sources of moisture is runoff from the roof. When snow that has settled on the roof melts, the water flows into the gutters and down the downspout. When this rain collection system is working properly, the water is guided into a drainage system or deposited some distance (at least 10 feet) away from the foundation of the home.
If the gutters are clogged with leaves, water will spill over and pour at the foundation. The water will collect near the crawlspace and eventually flood the crawlspace. Cleaning your gutters and checking them for leaks before winter will help to ensure that they drain properly and therefore keep your crawlspace dry.
- Extend your downspouts
Downspouts are designed to guide water away from the foundation. However, if they are too short, the water from the roof will be deposited near the foundation and cause the crawlspace to flood or become damp.
Extend your downspouts to drain water at least 10 feet away from the crawlspace.
- Seal the crawlspace
Encapsulation is a major part of crawlspace waterproofing.It results in sealing the space away from its surroundings. Therefore, nothing can enter the crawlspace.
Sealing often involves cleaning the crawlspace and installing a vapor barrier.
- Dealing with moisture sources within the home
It’s also important to address sources of moisture within the home. These may include moisture from activities such as cooking, bathing or leaks. Take the steps necessary to prevent moisture from building up within the home and leaking into the crawlspace. Call a plumber to repair leaks. Install a hood in your kitchen to exhaust moisture from cooking. Install an exhaust fan in your bathroom to remove moist air while taking a shower.
Keeping your crawlspace dry should be a high priority for any homeowner. Use the tips above to safeguard your property.
Contact the Professionals at Ohio State Waterproofing Today! (330) 467-1055
Ohio State Waterproofing has provided quality service with over 80,000 successful waterproofing and foundation repair installations and satisfied customers since our inception in 1978.
Ohio State Waterproofing’s philosophy for success is to provide honest, courteous and guaranteed service to every customer. Our reputation reflects this. Our well-trained waterproofing technicians are dedicated to complete customer satisfaction. This is achieved through fast, efficient processes as well as teamwork throughout this organization. You will always find a friendly representative willing to meet your needs at Ohio State Waterproofing.
We are a full service company that handles problems ranging from patching cracks to rebuilding basements. In addition, we hold three patents related to waterproofing that make us unique in the industry. These patents and our experience allow us to be able to do what every other waterproofer can do, but no one else can do what we do.
We are actively involved in the industry and community, including the National Association of Waterproofing Contractors, BHA, NARI, NAHB, NHIA, the BIA, the FHA and a number of consumer advocacy groups, as well as playing leading roles in a number of charitable functions.
But, most importantly, our highest degree of praise comes from the thousands of referrals we get from satisfied customers. Together they’ve made us a leader in the basement waterproofing and foundation repair industry.
