The James River is the largest river in all of Virginia. In fact, it flows across the entire state from the Chesapeake Bay to Botetourt County. Living near or on the watershed can be very appealing for homeowners, but it can also raise foundation and crawl space concerns for your home. With that said, we’ll dive into the complications of being a homeowner on the James River, along with five crawl space tips.
According to the James River Association, approximately three million Virginians live in the 10,000 square mile James River watershed. The beautiful landscape and sights from your home are one-of-a-kind, but that also comes with a multitude of foundation and crawl space challenges. Here are five tips for homeowners on the James River, as well as a look at the problems homeowners may face.
Five Tips To Combat Crawl Space Moisture:
1) Encapsulate your crawl space.
Flooding and moisture issues are the greatest risk to riverfront homeowners, so it’s important to waterproof your crawl space or basement. It’s always crucial to remember that water and moisture are the source of most crawl space problems. With that in mind, sealing your crawl space will help separate the outside elements from your home. Crawl space encapsulation entails…
2) Install a vapor barrier.
Installing a 20 mil vapor barrier should be your first course of action. The JES preferred vapor barrier is 20 mil thick, with a seven-layer polyethylene composition. It quickly reduces moisture and humidity problems in your crawl space, as well as being the most durable vapor barrier in the industry. In particular, the 20 mil liner will prevent water from entering your crawl space through the floor or wall cracks.
3) Seal your vents and doors.
Seal all vents and doors to your crawl space. The closer you are to the river, the wind and outside elements begin to pick up. This air can enter through your crawl space and flow through your home via the stack effect. By closing your vents, you will be able to control the moisture under your crawl space.
4) Install a sump pump.
Specifically, a sump pump will remove any water that enters your crawl space. Therefore, your crawl space will remain dry with added protection from flooding and heavy storms.
5) Bring in a dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier should be the final step to encapsulating your crawl space. This will remove the moisture from the air, ensuring that your crawl space is at the ideal humidity level.
Living on or near the James River can be an amazing experience for your family, but it can also be a costly one for your home. It’s important to prevent these crawl space problems before it’s too late. The crawl space tips above are a great place to start. Have your crawl space inspected by an expert and protect your home on the James River.
