If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about your crawl space vents until it’s too late. When the snow starts to fly, and the wind starts to blow, it’s not uncommon for people to get worried about keeping their crawl spaces warm enough for the pipes and wiring that run through them.
But if you’re thinking of covering up your vents during the winter, you might want to rethink that strategy. Here’s why:
Covering up your vents will make your crawl space hotter, leading to more moisture in the air. Moisture in the air means mold and mildew growth, which can damage pipes, cause structural problems with your home, and lead to other health issues like respiratory problems or even asthma attacks for kids!
Covering up vents also makes it harder for heat to escape from your house into your crawl space—so instead of heating up your house by 3 degrees every time you turn on a light in another room, it might increase by 10 degrees! That could cost you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs alone!
Crawl space vents are important because they help regulate the temperature in the space below your home—keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. If they’re blocked, this can cause mold and mildew to grow, which is bad for your health!
So what should you do? Well, first of all, make sure that you have vents in place so that air can flow into and out of the crawl space properly. That may mean hiring a professional to install them if you don’t already have them. It’s worth it!
Second: if there’s snow on top of the ground outside where your vents are located, make sure that someone clears it away before it melts down into your vents! That way, you can keep them working at optimal levels throughout the year.
How To Close Foundation Vents In The Winter
The cold months of winter are upon us, and that means it’s time to close your foundation vents. If you have a crawl space in Austin or a warm climate, this may not be an issue.
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to shut down the openings in your walls and floors that allow air to flow below ground level. These vents allow warm air to rise up from inside your home, keeping it dry and comfortable during those long, frigid nights. But if they’re left open in the wintertime, they can cause serious damage to your home’s structure.
Here’s how to close foundation vents in the winter:
Find the vents in your home. If you don’t know where they are, check for small holes or gaps where there shouldn’t be any—these could be signs of a vent opening.
Close each opening with metal flashing tape or caulk (you can find this kind of stuff at any hardware store). This will keep cold air from leaking into your house through these gaps as well as prevent water from getting in and causing problems like mold growth on your walls or floors!
Check back every few days during this time period just to make sure everything remains sealed up tight enough, so no moisture gets into those cracks around those holes or gaps!
Are Foundation Vents Necessary?
Foundation vents are not necessary, but they are recommended.
You choose to install foundation vents because they provide a better air circulation system in your home. The foundation vent helps to keep the moisture out of your home while also allowing fresh air to come into the house from below. Without foundation vents, there is no proper venting for this process to occur, and as a result, your home will be prone to water damage and mold growth.
The reason why foundation vents are recommended over not having them installed is because, without them, your foundation will be susceptible to damage from moisture build-up from rain and snow melt. If you have an unfinished basement, then this can present a problem because it will not have any sort of protection against water damage due to all of the cracks that are likely going to appear if there aren’t any foundation vents installed.
Contact Us Today For All Your Foundation Needs
We’re here to help! If you’re looking for a foundation contractor to come in and do the job right, we’re here for you. We’ve been helping people with their foundation problems for many years. Our team has extensive experience in helping homeowners get their homes back to normal again—and they know what they’re doing.
Our team is ready to help you, too! We have been helping homeowners with their foundation needs for many years. Our team knows what they’re doing, and they’ll get your home back on track in no time at all.
Give us a call today to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our qualified professionals.
