Water damage can be an insidious threat to your home. Sometimes, its effects don’t show all at once. For example, you might not wake up to ankle-deep water in the basement one morning. The signs may be much more subtle than that.
In fact, water damage can affect even the smallest and most isolated parts of the home, especially crawlspaces. You may be asking yourself: What is a crawlspace, and why is it so important to waterproof yours?
There are many reasons! Today we’re going to explore this often neglected part of the home, and figure out just why it’s so important to keep it watertight.
Why Crawlspace Waterproofing is Crucial
A crawlspace is a small space built intentionally into the structure of a home somewhere between the basement and the ground floor. They’re called “crawlspaces” because they’re usually only 1-1.5 meters high––that is to say, only tall enough to crawl in, and not to stand upright. They can be used as access points for systems such as plumbing and HVAC.
Many homeowners overlook crawlspaces altogether because they tend to be small, dark, and not very comfortable. However, it’s necessary to consider these small spaces if you want to ensure the long-term health and safety of your home and the people living in it.
Crawlspaces, due to their subterranean nature, are very susceptible to flooding, and that can become a big problem very quickly if it’s not properly prevented.
A flooded crawlspace is a headache and a half. Let’s take a look at a few of the issues that come with a flooded crawlspace.
- Mold – A small, dark, enclosed, wet area: doesn’t that sound like the perfect recipe for mold? If your crawlspace floods, you’re looking at a potentially huge amount of mold. That’s not only bad for the structure of your home, but also a health hazard for the people who live in it.
- Insects, Rats, and Mice – You might find various varieties of little critters sneaking their way into your crawlspace if it’s not properly sealed. Creatures can be particularly attracted to the cool and damp of a recently flooded crawlspace. If you want to keep your home safe from unwanted visitors, it’s best to make sure that it’s not only physically sealed, but also watertight.
- Foundation Rot – Damp wood is a perfect host for all kinds of nasty fungi, bacteria, and other organisms. Once your foundation gets wet, you have to worry about these unwanted intruders and so many other problems. For one, water damage to your foundation can compromise the integrity of your entire home by warping walls and floors, and even leading to the potential for structural damage. Since your crawlspace is right next to your home’s foundation, flooding in this little pocket area of your home can create disaster.
What Bluebird Offers
If you’re looking to avoid all the perils listed above, you’re not alone. Homeowners across Midland have the same concerns. A great many of them trust Bluebird’s waterproofing team to protect their homes from all the damage water has to offer.
Bluebird is proud to say that our waterproofing team is all in-house staff; we don’t sub-contract. That means you’re looking at a level of efficiency and accountability that can’t be beat.
There are a few different things that your crawlspace might need in order to keep your ship sailing smoothly. Each home has different needs, and we’re always sure to provide a thorough inspection in order to determine what exactly your home’s needs are. They may include:
- Insulation – When the first snow of winter begins to fall, you want to make sure that your home is protected from the inside out. When cold gets in through cracks in your crawlspaces, it can freeze your pipes pretty quickly. Not to mention, insulation also keeps the good stuff in, specifically the heat. We approach every crawlspace insulation job with care at Bluebird Foundation Repair & Waterproofing by choosing premium materials that provide an ample barrier between the weather outside and your cozy crawlspace.
- Encapsulation – When you have your crawlspace encapsulated, you no longer have to dread even the lightest of rainstorms. That’s because encapsulation entails sealing your crawlspace so that no moisture can penetrate it. As a result, floodwater and mold will simply not have a place to call home.
While the costs of crawlspace waterproofing can vary from home to home, we promise that we never cut any corners. The size and scope of your crawlspace’s issues could raise or lower your end costs, but we guarantee reliable service through our in-house waterproofing team.
Contact Bluebird Today
Don’t neglect your crawlspace any longer. Midland residents can call Bluebird Foundation Repair & Waterproofing to find a waterpooring solution that’s right for their budgets and their homes today. Outside of crawlspace waterproofing, we also offer foundation repair and basement waterproofing throughout Midland.
