Why New Jersey Homes Are Prone to Moisture Issues
Every homeowner should be aware of the regular maintenance needed in their home and that is especially true for homes in New Jersey with basements or crawlspaces. This is because New Jersey homes are at high risk of needing basement and crawlspace repair services due to the moisture in and around the homes. One major factor that contributes to this is humidity. Controlling your indoor relative humidity level in New Jersey is important because both high and low humidity levels can cause damage and impact indoor air quality. This is especially true for Shore homes who are at a higher risk for moisture issues due to their proximity to the ocean.
Humidity
To New Jersey homeowners, humidity may be the least shocking factor when it comes to learning about what creates moisture related issues. However, humidity levels that are too high or too low can create issues for your home.
Humidity levels in a house are high when they reach above 60%. Mold and mildew growth is the main issue with high humidity. Mold spores can take hold and cause harm more quickly in an environment that is more humid and damp. Due to condensation buildup on walls and ceilings, high humidity can also result in water damage to your property.
Assuming that humidity issues only occur in homes with too much would be a mistake. While high humidity is a concern in the summer, low humidity is a concern in the winter time. This is because having a relative humidity <35% can cause damage to your home and negatively impact you and your family’s health. Your eyes, skin, and the mucous membrane lining your respiratory system might become dry and irritated, increasing your chance of becoming sick. Anything made of wood or paper in your house might be destroyed in dire circumstances. Your house is definitely too dry if you detect a lot of static electricity there, are regularly shocked, or have static-filled hair.
Looking at the chart, the humidity levels in New Jersey are often outside of the range deemed safe for indoors. Given this, the outdoor air can pose a real problem for New Jersey homes and especially those with basements and crawlspaces that are not sealed. That outdoor air can enter the home through open vents, foundation cracks, holes in the structure, and more. Once that humid air is trapped inside, it can lead to a number of issues such as mold and mildew growth, structural damage, higher energy costs, illness, and more.
Proximity to the Ocean
Depending on where your home is located, your proximity to the ocean can pose a real threat to your basement or crawlspace. This is for a couple of reasons. The first reason being that the ocean contributes to the humidity previously mentioned. Not only this, but the saltwater can be especially damaging towards the materials that make up your home’s structure. The second reason being flooding. A basement or crawlspace flood can be emotionally and monetarily traumatic, so it’s important to be prepared for such an event. It only takes one awful storm to turn your dream home into a nightmare.
Older Houses Built with Outdated Building Science
A lot of houses in New Jersey were built prior to the last two decades. This means that these structures were built with old practices and building science in mind. For example, almost all houses with crawlspaces were built with open vents because it was previously believed that that was the best method for home ventilation. Many homes were also built with crawlspaces because they are cheaper to build than basements. In the last 20+ years, it has been discovered that there are better solutions long-term such as crawlspace encapsulation.
Protect Your Home From Moisture with Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement
While we recommend crawlspace encapsulation as the best solution for addressing issues with moisture and ventilation in the crawlspace, we understand that every home and situation is unique. Due to New Jersey’s year-round humidity, weather and changing seasons, proximity to the ocean, and more, homeowners are met with unique circumstances when it comes to handling moisture issues. That is why Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement begins every service with a 22-point comprehensive evaluation and why we offer a wide variety of products and services. Knowing that every home is unique, so is our tailored approach.
If your home has been struggling to manage humidity, temperature, ventilation, or more, call us to schedule an evaluation with the Jersey Shore’s crawlspace pros!