If we are to ask homeowners whether they seal off their crawl space vents or keep them open, we’ll probably get different answers. Some might say they leave their vents closed all year round to prevent pests and insects from infesting the area. Others, however, prefer to open and shut them depending on the season. But which of these responses should you follow?
According to experts, the vents should be open if the underside of your home has no mechanical ventilation or crawl space dehumidifier. You shouldn’t shut them as well during summer to bring in heat in the area and prevent moisture buildup that may cause rot and mildew growth.
However, before opening your crawl space ventilation, you should take active measures to ensure that water won’t seep into the area. Make sure that your gutters and downspouts are working correctly. You should also encapsulate the underside of your home and install a crawl space dehumidifier.
During winter, experts recommend keeping your crawl space vents shut. This way, you’ll be able to avoid freezing pipes.
How do you open or close crawl space vents?
If you have automatic vents that work without electricity, you won’t need to open and close them manually. They are designed to open extemporaneously when the weather hits 70 degrees or warmer and shut when it is 40 degrees or colder.
However, if you’re using standard vents, you need to plug them from the outside using foam blocks made specifically for crawl spaces. And when you want to open them, all you have to do is to remove the plugs.
Get in touch with Dry-Tek Environmental today!
If you want to learn more about when you should open and close your crawl space vents, reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable experts at Dry-Tek Environmental. We’ll be more than happy to provide you with more information and help you protect the underside of your home with our quality services.
We offer waterproofing, insulation, and encapsulation services. Our professionals are also experts at installing dehumidifiers in crawl spaces. To talk with us and learn more about our offerings, contact us now to set up an appointment.
