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Showing posts with label crawl spaces. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crawl spaces. Show all posts

Monday, December 16, 2019

Improvements to Make to Your Crawl Space in 2020


One of the best ways to maximize energy efficiency at your home is to insulate your crawl space. Performing these simple maintenance tips can result in significant cost savings and is well worth the effort. Here are a few ways you can make significant improvements to your crawl space in 2020.
1. Insulate and Seal Air Ducts
Insulating your air ducts is key in maximizing energy efficiency. On the other hand, holes in your air ducts can cause unwanted hot or cold air to enter the crawl space that can easily spread to other areas of your home. Checking your air ducts and all the connections around the walls or floors is a good idea to ensure that everything is sealed properly.
2. Insulate Perimeter Walls
Insulating the perimeter walls is much more energy-efficient compared to insulating between the joists. Insulation on the walls can regulate the temperature much better and help you maintain an ideal balance between hot or cold air. Another benefit of insulating perimeter walls is that it makes it easy for contractors to access pipes between the floor joists without having to remove any insulation.
3. Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a great way to control the climate within your crawl space. You can choose from a variety of dehumidifiers that can play an important role in regulating the temperature. A dehumidifier can also help reduce the amount of mildew or mold and create a much healthier environment.
4. Install a Vapor Barrier
The moisture in your crawl space can affect the temperature and humidity in the rest of your home, which can then cause your HVAC system to work harder to reach your desired temperature. A vapor barrier prevents your crawl space from becoming damp, which, in turn, prevents problems that occur due to excess moisture, such as chilly floors, rot, mold, and mildew.
Improving your crawl space a great way to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency within your home. At Greenpro Cleaning & Restoration, our experienced professionals can help remove debris and any sources of moisture in the crawl space of your home or commercial business.
Contact us today to learn more about the many benefits of improving your crawl space!

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

The Importance of Keeping Your Crawl Space Dry in Winter


Winter can bring a variety of unexpected problems into the home. Due to the season's cold and wet climate, rot and mold can form in many areas. The crawl space of a home is particularly vulnerable during the winter months. Keeping your crawl space dry and clean year-round is an essential aspect of maintaining your home.
What Is a Crawl Space?
Most crawl spaces are just hollow areas located underneath a house. They are usually between 1 and 3 feet high--just enough room for somebody to crawl through them.
There are a few different advantages to having a crawl space. By propping your house off of the ground, you can reduce your risk for termites. Crawl spaces also add additional space for clutter or storage that may not fit in other areas of the house.
Why Do I Need to Keep My Crawl Space Dry?
Since your crawl space exists below your house, you might assume that moisture is simply a natural and insignificant occurrence. However, excess water can cause several problems if not quickly addressed.
Moisture in crawl spaces frequently leads to rot and mold growth, both of which can attract insects and other types of pests to your house. Spores, humid air, and a particularly musty odor can all creep into your home from the crawl space if moisture is not kept out.
How Can I Keep My Crawl Space Dry?
During the summer months, crawl spaces do not usually need help staying dry. The winter and spring months can be tricky when snow and rain start to impact a home. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent a moldy crawl space.
The first step to preserving a dry crawl space involves finding the source of water. If there is an ongoing leak, repair it immediately. Without solving the original problem, trying to fix an already-soaked crawl space is futile.
Dehumidifiers can effectively help cleanup moisture. Since dehumidifiers usually have an automatic timer setting, they can frequently turn on as soon as they detect high levels of humidity in the air.
Sealing a crawl space can also cut down on trapped moisture. Closing all holes and cracks can prevent the free flow of air, helping your crawl space stay dry during winter.
For professional crawl space cleaning services, contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Why Do Homes Have Crawl Spaces?

Purpose of Crawl Spaces


We live in a city that was built on a swamp, therefore, most of the houses don't have basements. Most of the homes have crawl spaces instead. The purpose of the crawl space it to allow air circulation throughout the home as well as access to electrical and plumbing ducts for necessary repairs.


Over time, moisture can build up in the crawl space and cause odor. All crawl spaces need to be cleaned and maintained. GreenPro Cleaning offers a variety of services which also includes crawl space cleaning. If you start to notice a musty odor and despite your home is clean, you may need to have the crawl space cleaned. We needed to get ours cleaned and it made a world of difference.


During heavy rains, moisture can build up in the crawl space as it did ours. Most people don't think about having space cleaned that they don't use, but this couldn't be further from the truth. At some point, every space in your home whether it's a room that you use on a daily basis or a room or space that you may have never seen, all parts of the home will need maintenance and cleaning.


GreenPro Cleaning can remove the moisture. unpleasant odors, bugs, debris and water that can be in your crawl space. I personally didn't want to go in my crawl space and I find them kind of scary so I will leave that to the professionals who know exactly what they are looking for and solve the problem.


If you have noticed the air quality in your home is not what it used to be, I suggest that you give GreenPro Cleaning a call. They will come out and let you know exactly what is going on and let you know what they need to do to correct it.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Why Do Crawl Spaces Have Moisture Problems?


Crawl spaces aren't very high on most homeowner's priority lists, but they can lead to some serious consequences if neglected.

One of the most prevalent problems in crawl spaces is high moisture levels, and the subsequent issues they can cause. Keep reading to learn why excess moisture is a bad thing, and what you can do to prevent it in your crawl space.

Why is moisture in my crawl space a bad thing?

Excess moisture means high humidity, which is never something you want in your home. Here are just a couple problems that can result from high humidity levels in your crawl space.
  • Mold growth. High humidity is almost always associated with mold growth. Mold can not only compromise the structural integrity of your home, it can cause health complications if it is not removed in a timely manner.
  • Indoor air pollution. Did you know that half of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home comes from your crawl space? If yours is infected with mold, your air quality – and health – could be suffering.
  • Pest problems. Many creepy crawlies are drawn to dark, humid climates. An insect infestation isn't just gross, certain bugs (termites) can cause damage to your home.

What causes crawl space moisture problems, and how do I prevent them?

Moisture in your crawl space can come from a variety of sources, but the most common is groundwater evaporation. This is especially true in areas where the water table is barely below ground level. In these regions, the ground can evaporate more than 12 gallons of water per day – you don't want that to get trapped inside your crawl space.

So, how can you as a homeowner minimize groundwater evaporation and keep your crawl space moisture levels in check? The most effective solution is investing in a vapor barrier. When properly installed, these thin polyethylene sheets keep water in the ground and out of your home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is Long Island's premier crawl space cleaning company. If you are experiencing mold, structural damage, or pest problems in your home's crawl space, look no further than us for help. Call for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Spring Crawl Space Cleaning Checklist


Now is the time of the year when homeowners everywhere are focused on spring cleaning. While we all know to clean the kitchen and bathroom, one place that many people forget about is their crawl space.

Homes that do not have a basement are generally built on a crawl space - an area of limited height underneath your floor. The main purpose of a crawl space is to promote air circulation throughout your home and grant easy access to plumbing and electrical components.

This area can get very wet and dirty, and keeping up with maintenance is important to prevent mold and the problems associated with it. Here is a crawl space cleaning checklist to help you out:
  • Inspect your insulation. It should be dry, undamaged, and show no signs of deterioration. 
  • Check for air leaks around the vents and windows. Use a caulking gun to seal any leaks you come across.
  • Check for signs of mold along the floor, walls, insulation, and wood. Clean up all mold using a speciality mold killer.
  • Check for cracks in the foundation wall and make note of the size. Return in a month to check on them. If they grew bigger, there is a serious problem.
If you run into any problems while cleaning your crawl space, or you simply don’t want to do it, give a call to the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. We offer specialty cleaning services to all of Long Island - including air duct cleaning, attic and crawl space cleaning, mold removal, and water damage restoration. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Common Crawl Space Problems


As Long Island's premier crawl space cleaning service for the past decade, we have seen our fair share of issues. Many crawl spaces are built on dirt floors, and most homeowners tend to neglect them. When this happens several problems can occur, such as these.

Moisture

High humidity tends to be the most common problem in crawl spaces. If you do not have a vapor barrier installed, moisture from the ground can evaporate into your crawl space. Warm air from the outside also enters your crawl during the summer months, which leads to even higher humidity levels. The real problem with excess moisture is that it leads to the other problems listed below.

Pests

Many creepy crawlies are attracted to dark, humid climates. Your crawl space fits this description perfectly. An insect infestation isn't just gross, but some kinds of bugs (such as termites) can actually cause structural damage to your home.

Mold

Mold can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, and your crawl space is no exception. Mold can compromise the structural integrity of your home and make your family sick. It is believed that more than half of the air you breathe on the first floor comes from your crawl space; you don't want that air to be contaminated with mold spores.

Rotting Wood

Fungal growth eats away at wood, deteriorating it to the point where it may eventually disintegrate. You can see how mold can quickly become a serious problem if it is growing on your home's support beams. If you notice mold growing in your crawl space, call a professional service to remove it immediately.

If you live in Long Island and are experiencing any of these problems, contact the crawl space cleaning professionals at Green Pro Cleaning & Restoration. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County, and only use environmentally-friendly products to get the job done. Call us at (631) 940-8100 for a free quote.