Crawl Space Vents Open or Closed?

We are often asked by homeowners: “should we open or close our crawl space vents?”

The answer?

Neither!

Crawl space vents should be sealed. Here’s why:

• Air is a very efficient way to move water
• The warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold
• Whether crawl space vents or open or closed, if they are not sealed, air passes into your crawl space
• Your crawl space is likely cooler than the hot, humid outside air
• When this warmer humid air enters your crawl space, it cools, which increases the relative humidity
• When relative humidity is high, it results in condensation

But sealing the vents is only one part of a permanent solution!

The entire crawl space needs to be encapsulated, as air and water vapour enter your home through the porous foundation and up from the dirt floor of the crawl space.

It’s much more than just “laying down plastic”!

It’s about completely sealing a crawl space from the outside elements.

Our CleanSpace® Crawl Space Vapor Barrier is a durable 20-mil poly-reinforced liner which converts a crawl space into a usable storage area. And with its mould-resistant additive "UltraFresh", our liner will never support mildew or mould growth on its surface.

Along with protection from mould and rot, a dry and encapsulated crawl space will also be inhospitable to termites, cockroaches, ants, crickets, and many other pests that need excess moisture to survive.

By sealing a crawl space, odours and allergenic mould spores that would otherwise rise up through the floor and into your home due to the stack effect are kept away, permanently.

A sealed crawl space also keeps the summer heat and the winter cold away from your furnace, water heater, and other utilities.

What is the most thorough and permanent solution?

• Seal vents
• Take care of any leakage or drainage problems
• Encapsulate the crawl space
• Insulate

At Advanced Basement Systems, we provide homeowners in southwestern Ontario with a permanent crawl space repair solution which includes a written, transferable warranty.  View our crawl space repair before and after gallery.

Please contact us to arrange your on-site inspection, which also includes a professional consultation and written a quote. 1-866-277-1277