Can’t I Just Close the Crawl Space Vents?

You can choose not to open the vents in your crawl space. For many homeowners, leaving these vents closed seems like a natural way to save money on an electric bill while also protecting their home. 

However, vents in general can cause problems for homeowners if they go unattended. After all, most crawl space vents are not watertight. This means that even when they are not actively open, they can still allow moisture and crosswind into your home, generating that same stack effect noted earlier. 

Reaching Out for Professional Guidance 

It is in your best interest to work with a local crawl space repair professional to determine whether or not it is safe to remove the vents from your crawl space. Alternatively, you can discuss what home waterproofing measures can help you mitigate the stack effect and prevent moisture from reaching the other corners of your home. Vapor barriers, interior drains, and other internal waterproofing measures may all serve you well in an attempt to eliminate unwanted moisture from a closed-vent crawl space. 

When in doubt, you may also want to consider investing in external vent covers. These covers do not rust and help you seal off your crawl space year-round. 

When you reach out to work with a professional team, you can work to get ahead of the kind of damage that open vents can cause while also keeping an eye on the state of your foundation. If you suspect something may have gone amiss in your home, or if you just want to get ahead of any potential damage, you can reach out to the local contractors in your area for a home inspection and a free quote on any services you might need to bring your home up to snuff.