MOISTURE CONTROL
Moisture control is a rapidly growing industry, partly because moisture is the leading cause of almost every pest problem. Whether it is moisture in the living quarters, in the basement or crawlspace, coming through the roof or even out in the lawn, moisture will be a problem if not properly controlled.
Inside a crawlspace, moisture will build and be absorbed by the wood members and foundation. Water retention will cause even more moisture to accumulate and add to the problem. All this moisture can cause significant damage to the foundation if not corrected.
Besides damage to the foundation, now that moisture is present within the dark space, fungal spores which are naturally present, are being activated by the presence of high humidity levels and will begin to grow and take root within the wood. Once rooted, the wood destroying fungi spread their hyphae into the wood and begin to cause decay. The hyphae are a root-like system which spread across the surface and into the wood. These hyphae break down the fibers of the wood compromising its strength. This means structural problems like weakened or sagging floors may occur.
When conditions allow for fungal growth in the crawlspace, this means conditions are right for termites as well. Unventilated, moist and humid crawlspaces make even the greatest homes a perfect meal for termites. Once present, termites can cause significant structural damage, potentially costing thousands of dollars in repairs.
Whether it’s heavy moisture in the crawlspace, fungal growth, termites or other wood destroying organisms, it won’t take long for serious structural damages to occur if it isn’t properly handled and corrected. Having an annual termite inspection by a qualified professional pest company on an annual basis can help identify not only termite problems, but potential moisture problems as well.
How Do You Know if You Need Moisture Problem?
There are several signs which are easy to identify that signal a moisture problem. Among them are:
- Damage to the structure’s foundation
- Doors or windows become hard to open/close
- Paint or wallpaper pealing/blistering
- Mildew growth visible
- Mold growth present
- Musty odors
- Sagging floors
- High humidity levels inside living quarters
- Termites present
If any of these conditions are present within your home, you need to call the pros at Four Seasons Pest Solutions right away.
How can Four Seasons Pest Solutions Help with Your Moisture Control?
Since 1978, we’ve been providing pest control and pest related services to homes and businesses across Kentucky and Tennessee. Our Moisture Control Programs offer peace of mind and a dry space where wood destroying organisms cannot survive.
We offer several options:
Crawlspace Automatic Vents – These vents allow for proper ventilation of the crawlspace and do not need to be manually opened and closed as the weather changes. This allows the vents to do all the work of keeping the crawlspace moisture levels to a minimum.
Crawlspace Vapor Barriers – Most crawlspaces have a dirt floor or gravel over dirt. This means moisture can rise to the surface and evaporate. Once evaporated, the moisture can settle on the cool wood members in the crawlspace. As the moisture levels rise, the wood will absorb some and the rest may drip back onto the crawl floor. When this process is left to repeat over time, wood rot, fungal growth, mold and even termites may result. Vapor barriers stop the process.
Wood Borate Treatment with Fungicide and Mold Inhibiters- Treating each wood member of the crawl with our Wood Borate Treatment means no more mold and no more fungus (when used in conjunction with methods to reduce moisture levels).
Crawlspace Encapsulation- As the name suggests, a complete encapsulation of the crawlspace is achieved by placing nylon reinforced poly on the crawlspace floor, walls and piers. All ventilation is stopped and the crawl is completely closed off to outside air infiltration. Once installed, a dehumidifier and sump pump may be installed. Dehumidifiers help maintain low humidity levels and sump pumps reduce the chances of runoff flooding the crawlspace.
Each of these options have their own place when it comes to controlling moisture. Four Seasons can help you select the best program for your home or business, implement that program and correct your moisture problems.
It’s good to have Four Seasons on your side!