Carbon monoxide, airborne moisture, and radon gas can all be threats to your crawl space or foundation. In order to keep these potential threats from compromising your home’s indoor air quality, it is necessary to install a ventilation system. One of the best ventilation systems for homes with crawl spaces and foundations uses the Crawl Space Vent Clips and Foundation Vent Cover Clips. These specially designed vents fit over the walls in your crawl space and protect them from moisture and carbon dioxide buildup.
Unfortunately, most ventilation systems on houses do not adequately address the needs of a crawl space or foundation. Your house simply doesn’t have adequate space to allow for the amount of airflow required to adequately circulate the pollutants. Also, since most houses have their ventilation system installed outdoors through a window or outside wall, the moisture that seeps through the walls is often trapped inside. This moisture damages the wood and fabric used in the crawl space or foundation, causing rotting, mildew, and mold.
There are two simple solutions to this problem. The first is to make changes to your house’s ventilation system, and this includes installing a fan in every room, including the attic. A well-ventilated attic can drastically reduce the amount of moisture that accumulates. If you don’t have a fan installed, consider attaching one as part of your Crawl Space and Foundation Vent Cover Clips system.
A second solution is to simply cover your foundation vents. You can purchase kits that consist of an adhesive foundation vent tape, a flexible rubber foundation vent cap, and a metal foundation vent clamp. These products will prevent moisture from penetrating the sides of your vents and cause rotting and mold. They also serve to provide better seals against the exhaust fan.
It is important that when you seal your vents, you seal them tight. When you seal tight, there is less of a chance for moisture and mold to escape. Once the ventilation has been installed, a caulking product should be applied to the outside of the vents and then the inside of the vents. Make sure to overlap the caulk so that mold spores don’t get a chance to enter your home. If you want to go even further, then apply a layer of silicon-based powder to the outside of your walls, then to the inside of the walls.
Foundation vent covers with crawl space vent clips also provide an added layer of protection against pest infestation such as ants and woodworms. These pests are known to build nests beneath the foundations of homes, and building a vent to keep them out is a good idea for your family’s health and the value of your home.