Vented vs. Closed Crawlspace
The Treasure Valley has seen a rapid growth in Closed Crawlspaces in the recent growth boom. Why are closed crawlspaces becoming so popular around the Treasure Valley? Most of the valleys home builders are applying this method to their new construction. A conditioned crawl space, also known as a sealed, unvented, or closed crawl space, significantly reduces or eliminates many of the problems of the traditional ventilated crawl space. It does this by allowing conditioned air from your home to flow through it in a sealed space, which then vents the used air to the outside of your house. Think of it as a mini basement under your home. Not only does a conditioned crawl space significantly improve the air quality in your home, it reduces your heating and cooling costs. Mold or moisture problems will happen with conditioned or vented crawls spaces alike. if the crawl space is high in moisture, or wet, you need to correct the problem and get it dried out! vents or small fans will not do this!
Vented Crawlspaces are best to keep the vents open during the hot humid months to help keep air changes occurring tin the crawlspace. If you have a vented crawlspace making sure all the plumbing is insulated and the sub floor is insulated to help reduce energy costs. If you ever feel you have moisture or mold issues contact Pursuit Restoration to have a professional assess the damages.
Concrete Slab
The foundation that your house is built on can have a major impact on the structural integrity of your home. A slab foundation is made of concrete that is typically 4”-6” thick in the center. The concrete slab is often placed on a layer of sand for drainage or to act as a cushion. Houses built on a slab lack crawlspaces, and there is no space under the floor.
Concrete slabs are more common in warm states where the ground is likely to freeze and cause the foundation to crack. In the Treasure Valley heating units are often used to keep the slab from freezing during cold winter months. Some houses don’t have a basement or crawl space under them but are simply built on a concrete slab – perhaps because the house sits on bedrock or a high water table. The concrete is poured onto the ground all at one time. Some foundations have post tension cables or are reinforced with steel rods called rebar so that the slab can bearing the weight of the house.
Some advantages of a concrete slab are that it takes less time for a concrete slab to dry. Less downtime means that construction can move along without delay. There is no need to wait the several days it takes for the concrete in a poured basement to cure and dry. Slab foundations minimize the risk of damage from flooding or the leaking of gas, such as radon, from a basement or crawl space into the house. A concrete slab can protect a home from termites or other similar insects as there are no open spaces underneath the house that provide access to wooden joists or supports insects could chew. Cost savings is one of the biggest advantages. In many cases, the home buyer can shave as much as $10,000 off the cost of the house. If it is built on a slab there is no crawl space or basement t budget for. This is particularly true when a builder has to carve a basement out of solid rock—a very expensive proposition.
Some disadvantages of a concrete slab are termites and other pests cannot gain access directly beneath the house, they can enter through the walls since the house is typically closer to the ground. This is particularly true if the siding is made of wood and sits on the ground. An air-conditioning unit and furnace may also have to be installed on the ground floor, which means that they will take up room that might otherwise be used for other purposes. One of the most significant potential disadvantages is if the slab cracks. This can substantially compromise the structural integrity of the house and be difficult and expensive to repair. Among the factors that can result in a slab cracking are tree roots, soil displacement, earthquakes, or frozen ground.
Idaho's Least Common... Basements
More often then I hear questions as to why Idaho does not have many basements in the homes. Its a very good question to ask with yet a very simple answer. The Treasure Valley has a very high water table. Even though Idaho’s climate is of a dessert if you dig just a few feet below the soil in many areas you will encounter wet soil. The high water tables are not a good match for basements or swimming pools. There are homes with basements in the Treasure Valley. They are not common and often times where the water table is not so close to the surface.
Even pools have the chance of cracking and pushing to the surface if placed in an area where the water table is near the surface.
Professionally Restoration Services
Pursuit Restoration can handle all Water, Mold and Fire Damage to your property. Call 208-515-6503 24/7 for Emergency Services. If you encounter high moisture from your crawlspace or basement it could be a perfect environment for mold to grow.