
Is My Crawl Space Making My Home Colder?
If you live in a home with a crawl space, it is likely you could experience cold floors every winter. Could your vented crawl space be behind this?
Schedule Free InspectionAs winter sets in and the temperatures start to dip, you’re probably thinking of servicing your heating systems for the cold months ahead. That’s a step in the right direction. However, your tuned-up furnace won’t save you from cold temperatures if the crawl space is open. You may still experience biting cold. So, what could make your home colder this winter?

The Stack Effect
An open crawl space can reduce your home’s energy efficiency by up to 30% through the stack effect. The stack effect typically occurs when the temperatures outside are significantly lower than the temperatures in the home. An open crawl space allows the colder outdoor air to find its way into your home through ill-fitting hatchways, vents, and the gaps found between the framing that rests on the top of foundation walls.
Over time, the cold air rises to the spaces above, making your heating system lose its efficiency. It also forces your heating system to work harder to keep your home warm, racking up your energy costs. Other than the cold air, the stack effect allows dust mites, nasty odors, and mold spores into
If you are battling cold floors in your home, you may need to seek the services of a professional foundation repair company in Grand Junction, CO. These professionals will assess your crawl space before recommending solutions that will keep your temperatures in check.
How Can You Protect Your Crawl Space?
At Foundation Repair of Western Colorado, we know how a crawl space can help or harm your home. Our highly trained and experienced in crawl space encapsulation experts work hard to create a clean, dry space that you and your family can live in. Our crawl space encapsulation procedure includes:
Crawl Space Inspection
Every crawl space is unique. So, before we begin encapsulating one, we take time to inspect the area for any critters or pests. We also look out for any groundwater situations and foundation cracks. We make sure to address these issues first with the proper waterproofing measures and foundation repair solutions before proceeding with the next step.
Air Sealing and Insulation
The vents and spaces in your crawl space allow air and moisture to enter your home. Apart from leaving you cold, the presence of moisture in the crawl space can be damaging to your home’s structure. This is why we air seal and install insulation to keep air and moisture from moving freely through your crawl space.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Installing a tough polyethylene membrane over the crawl space floors and walls helps keep outside air from your crawl space. Once the space is completely sealed, we apply a strong and durable 20-mil plastic vapor barrier over the walls and floor. This material will go around your vents, pipes, and plumbing.
Sealing your crawl space stops the colder outdoor air from entering your home. It allows your encapsulated crawl space to become part of the conditioned area of your home so its temperatures are similar to those in the rooms above. As a bonus, your heating and cooling costs will go down.
Installing a Dehumidifier
During the warmer months of the year, the moisture content in your crawl space can increase drastically, leaving you at risk of mold and mildew growth. A dehumidifier aids in regulating humidity levels in the crawl space. It collects the excess moisture in the air, condenses it, and then ejects it out, leaving your crawl space dry and clean.
Preventing air drafts or leaks goes a long way in reducing heat loss and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. If you are ready to have your crawl space encapsulated, get in touch with the technicians at Foundation Repair of Western Colorado for a free crawl space repair inspection and quote today. Our team will assess your home and recommend solutions that will keep it comfortable all year round. They can also help with the sizing and installation of an energy-efficient dehumidifier.
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2575 U.S. 6 & 50, Unit A
Grand Junction, CO 81501