Ventilation & Humidity Control in Augusta, GA

We install crawlspace dehumidification systems and Encapsulations

Crawlspace problems common in Augusta GA and surrounding communities

• Loose, broken, and obstructed foundation vents
• Floors shake when you walk across them
• Loose insulation that is falling down
• Insulation saturated with moisture
• Deteriorated vapor barrier
• Lack of proper drainage causing standing water
• Damaged or rotting siding, trim, and access doors
• Wildlife or pest damage

We will inspect for general pests, termites, rodents, and wildlife as well as any obvious plumbing or sewage leaks, broken dryer vents, damaged A/C duct work, and damage to the wooden substructure. After our FREE inspection we will provide you with a full report of our findings, recommendations, and an itemized estimate.

A clean, dry, well-ventilated crawl space is the foundation of a healthy home!

Call Today to schedule a FREE INSPECTION! (706) 863-5354 or (803) 643-9598

Common Problems Caused by Excessive Moisture

• Moisture can attack wood and trigger wood destroying fungus and wood rot resulting in structural damage.
• The foundation can crack.
• Floors can warp.
• High moisture levels under the home can lead to mold and mildew, odors and unhealthy air conditions.
• Mold spores can aggravate allergies, asthma and hay fever.
• Moisture in the crawlspace can dampen insulation reducing its effectiveness.
• Dark, damp areas are hospitable environments for termites and other wood-destroying pests.

If you want a proven solution to your ventilation issues in the Augusta area, please call us today. We are certified and our services can help prevent further damage to your home or business due to moisture under your home. Our technicians work hard to prevent and treat water damage in your home or business. We have proudly served both the Augusta and Aiken, GA areas for more than 54 years.

Moisture is constantly evaporating from the soil and up into the clouds. This moisture later comes down as rain. In a crawl space beneath your home moisture also evaporates from the soil. The purpose of foundation vents is to allow this moisture to exit the crawl space. If the home does not have enough vents or if it has a high soil moisture content, then this moisture can evaporate up and into your home’s substructure, causing the wood moisture content to rise.

In the CSRA, the normal wood moisture content range for wood that is not in a climate-controlled setting is usually around 13% to 15%. When the wood moisture content gets to 18% for a sustained period of time (a couple of months), the wood is able to support fungus growth as well as mold, mildew. At these moisture levels, corrective measures should be considered.

Fungus spores are ubiquitous in the air – there are also dormant, microscopic fungus spores on all non-sterile surfaces. When the surface of an organic object sustains enough moisture to support growth, fungus spores become non-dormant and start to grow.

It is highly recommended that corrective humidity control measures be taken when the wood moisture content exceeds 22%. At a 28% wood moisture content in the wood is considered to have active wood-decaying fungus. This fungus causes damage and is considered a wood-destroying organism like termites. If corrective measures are not taken, you can ultimately face serious damage to your home. Horne’s can service your crawlspace or business for moisture control in Augusta Georgia.

Moisture problems can occur gradually. It is not uncommon for a house that was built in 1975 to start to develop some minor issues. If a house was built 30 years ago and had a wood moisture content of 13% at the time of construction, there would be no issues.

During the course of the year, the wood moisture content rises ¼% to 13¼%. There is still no problem. Now suppose this went on for several years. in eight years the moisture content might reach 15%, in 12 years 16%, and so on.

Eventually, the wood moisture content elevates to a point where corrective humidity control measures should be considered. The professionals at Horne’s Pest Control have extensive experience providing moisture control treatments in the Augusta, GA area.

Recommended corrective measures for excessive moisture:

1. Vapor Barriers: A vapor barrier is a thin sheet of plastic that is placed on top of the crawl space soil. This keeps the moisture from evaporating up and into the substructure.
2. Increased Ventilation: Increase the ventilation by either adding more vents or modifying the vents to allow more free air to pass through. The standard ventilator is 8” x 16” but the amount of free air varies from 28 square inches to 72 square inches.
3. Fans/Forced Air Systems: Moving air holds more moisture than stagnant air. Circulating the air pushes more moisture out of the crawl space.
4. Dehumidification Systems: Dehumidifier(s) placed inside your crawl space that automatically powers on and off as needed to keep your crawl space humidity low.

Crawl spaces are generally cool and therefore often damp. When warm, humid air outside enters the crawl space, it cools. Therefore, extra moisture and condensation are created. This is becoming more of a problem because people keep their homes cooler than they did 25 years ago.

A polyethylene vapor retarder or plastic sheet can be installed on the floor of the crawlspace to help retard moisture from seeping up through the ground.

When installing vapor retarders, use a 4-6 mil polyethylene vapor retarder installed on 90% of the floor of the crawlspace. Polyethylene should not completely cover the ground. If the moisture supply is completely cut off, hardwood floors and other wood may shrink excessively. A vapor retarder that completely covers the floor can hold too much moisture and never get a chance to dry. The ground needs some air to breathe.

In these cases, different humidity control measures may need to be performed. Some of these control methods are:

1. Treat the substructure with a wood preservative that inhibits fungus growth.
2. Install a dehumidification system that allows the home to vent naturally but during extreme conditions, the dehumidifier will automatically turn on and aid in removing water and moisture in the air.
3. Encapsulate the crawl space. This is sometimes necessary but as a general rule, we don’t recommend it. Architects and construction were overseen by county building code enforcement agents to be a vented crawl space. Changing them to a sealed basement may not be the best answer. In addition, sometimes effluent gasses escape out of the soil – these gasses need to exit the crawl space not go up the foundation wall and potentially enter the living area.

Ventilation is a system of intake and exhaust to promote the necessary free flow of air throughout the crawlspace. Adding ventilation is a simple way to help humidity control. Ventilation will allow air to enter and exit the space, carrying heat and moisture out with it.

Two types of ventilation can be used:

• Passive Ventilation

  Passive ventilation relies on the passage of air in one vent and out the other, depending on the direction of the wind.

• Active Ventilation

  Powered foundation vents have small electric fans built-in. Active ventilation helps when there is a serious moisture problem, or for difficult-to-vent areas. Sometimes the above corrective measures are insufficient. In some cases, a crawl space just remains damp. There are a few reasons for this but typically it is a product of excessive moisture.

Fans/Forced Air Systems

Horne’s Pest Control is an installer of ATMOX Humidity Control Ventilation Systems. Atmox is unique in that it actually monitors your crawl space humidity and controls fans and or dehumidifiers automatically to ensure that your crawl space remains at its optimum condition. Please click here for more information on Atmox humidity controller.

The humidifier pulls humid air through a high-efficiency air filter and over an evaporator coil. The cold surface evaporator coil causes the humid air to condense water into a drain pan that then flows out through a drain tube. The now cold, dry air then passes overheated condenser coils, supplying warm, dry air to the areas needing dehumidification. The dehumidifiers automatically power on and off as needed to keep the humidity low in your crawl space.

Horne’s Pest Control has been offering moisture & humidity control to the residents and business owners of Augusta, Georgia and surrounding areas for more than 54 years. Our technicians are professional and experienced and provide the most thorough pest control services in the area. We specialize in pest control, termite control, crawlspace drains, yard drains, basement waterproofing.

Please give us a call today to learn more about the humidity control services we offer for your home or business in Augusta GA and surrounding areas!