Crawlspace Solutions

If there are one thing termites are attracted to, it’s warm, moist, dead air environments such as those found in crawl spaces or unfinished basements. Temp-Vent products have been specially designed for the pest control industry.

Caste Iron Grate Foundation vent

Installed Automatic Foundation Vent-Temp vent

Temp-Vent automatic foundation vents help to provide ventilation that can reduce moisture in these areas by allowing trapped moisture to exit and maintain the natural flow of fresh air under the structure that will keep moisture levels low. Coupled with a moisture control barrier, you can help diminish the possibility of costly moisture damage.

The foundation is critical to the integrity of the home. That’s why foundation ventilation is critical. Unventilated foundations are subject to built-up moisture that can eventually lead to costly damage. Temp-Vent foundation vent systems help protect this critical area of the home.

Temp-Vent products are designed for the pest management professional. In fact, Temp-Vent is the only brand of foundation vents designed for and dedicated to serving the pest control industry. With our commitment and knowledge of both termite and moisture control, customers will readily see the value of having a Temp-Vent foundation vent system installed.

Call Bohannon Services today at (256) 980-0688 for your free evaluation.

While Bohannon Services, Inc. does not perform encapsulation services, we work hand in hand with professionals that do.  Why would we do this, because the wrong encapsulation job can cause problems for termite control and/or possibly cause the loss of termite protection and eliminate the ability to perform a termite inspection.  This could result in the cancellation of the termite protection contract.

So many homeowners are concerned about termite warranties/contracts and inspections.  This is a very important topic to address.

Termite inspections and moisture inspections are performed each year.  Age, changes to the structure, re-landscaping and environmental factors can change how well the structure can handle moisture/humidity.  Add to that heating/cooling issues and insulation factors, moisture issues can develop.  While, in many cases, the installation of moisture barriers and/or Temp Vent ventilation can resolve the issue, some situations that involve further measures.

ENCAPSULATION: The Short Version

Encapsulation services involve moisture barriers, dehumidifiers, in some cases sump pumps and/or drains.  An encapsulation provides coverage of the walls and piers to within 8 inches of wood members of the structure.  A crawl floor is then covered with a vapor barrier.  All seams are sealed creating a complete moisture barrier. The 8-inch clearance to wood sill plate is critical.  WHY?  The sill plate is the first piece of wood in your home that sits directly on top of the foundation and will likely be an affected area if termites come near. With most encapsulations, the sill plate gets sealed down to the foundation with a thin bead of air sealing foam to keep air and moisture from coming inside but the face of the sill is still completely exposed for inspection.  Then, the vents are closed off and a dehumidifier(s) is installed.  In cases where there is groundwater penetration, a sump pump(s) and drain are installed.

Protect your home from moisture AND termites.

Call Bohannon Services today at (256) 980-0688 for your free evaluation.

Improperly Installed Spray Foam Insulation Could Impact Ability to Inspect for Termites.

Improperly applied spray foam insulation can negate your termite control contract or prevent it from being placed on a contract.  Spray foam insulation is a growing choice for homeowners looking to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.  When applied properly, it can provide many energy benefits.

Subterranean termites cost U.S. homeowners billions of dollars a year for termite control and damage repair. The threat to homes and other structures by subterranean termites is greater in the Southeast which is commonly referred to as the “termite belt”. The most important component of any pest management program is the inspection, and pest management professionals must be able to visibly see areas of the structure where termites are most likely to be present. When these areas are not visible, live termites and evidence of their presence may remain undetected and could ultimately void the termite control contracts. (Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black and the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Structural Pest Division)

“Spray foam insulation may be applied to the inside of crawlspaces as an alternative to traditional insulation, but unfortunately, it may also inadvertently hide termite damage and/or the presence of live termites,” said Dr. Kristine Braman, head of the Entomology Department at the University of Georgia. “This could result in voiding existing termite control contracts or possibly preventing a company from providing future coverage.”

Before beginning work that could potentially void your termite agreement, call Bohannon Services at (256) 980-0688 for your free evaluation.

Protect your home from moisture AND termites.

Call Bohannon Services today at (256) 980-0688 for your free evaluation.

The 10 Must-Knows about Moisture Problems

Must-know no. 1 – Your home produces moisture. Loads of it!

Any household produces moisture by cooking, washing, bathing, and exercising. Even breathing brings moisture into the air. Your family and pets bring many liters of water into your home every day.  Moisture can also enter your house from the soil through the basement or crawl space.

Must-know no. 2 – Too high humidity is not healthy…

Humidity is important for our health. A normal humidity level is needed for feeling comfortable. However, too much moisture in your home can cause big problems and even negatively affect your health. Microorganisms that thrive in humid conditions are of special concern as they can help cause allergies and asthmatic conditions.

Must-know no. 3 – … and neither is too low humidity

Low humidity can, in turn, have all kinds of unpleasant effects. Your skin can feel dry, your lips can start to chap and your eyes can start to itch. Sore eyes, difficulty breathing and painful sinuses are also common problems caused by too dry air. This is especially true in winter when the outside air tends to be very dry. Air-conditioned spaces, including airplanes and offices, are also well known ‘dry zones.’

Must-know no. 4 – Bugs and fungus love a humid home

Bugs thrive in humid conditions. Dust mites especially love warm temperatures (23-27 degrees Celsius / 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit) and high humidity levels of 70-80%. One study has found that mite populations stop growing and die out when relative humidity levels drop below 60%. Air conditioning has been proven to lower dust mite allergens in homes by lowering the ambient temperature and relative humidity. Mold loves humid conditions as well. When the relative humidity is higher than 80%, fungus is likely to develop more than 50% of the time.

Must-know no. 5 – Moisture is the No. 1 electronics killer

Excess moisture can not only damage your health but also damage your possessions. Electronics are especially susceptible to damage by condensation. Moisture can corrode contacts inside and lower insulation resistance, which may cause short circuits. Watch for high humidity and drastic temperature changes that occur when bringing in electric appliances from your cold garage or basement. Take care to let them adjust to the climate before switching them on. You can protect stored electronics or other valuables by putting them in closed plastic boxes with a small dehumidifying satchel/bag.

Must-know no. 6 – Winter is the real humid season for homes

The air is often cold and dry in the winter. While your lips, skin, and nails suffer due to all that winter dryness, your house might suffer from the effects of excess moisture because two things happen:

Winter is the heating season. We close our windows and reduce ventilation and circulation of air in our homes to keep out the cold. At the same time, rain and melting snow can increase the amount of moisture entering your house through crawl spaces, basements, and walls. Because less moisture leaves the house, humidity levels inside can start to rise.

At the same time, something else happens. Parts of your house that are in direct contact with the cold outside air are cooler than the air inside. Examples are single glazed windows and walls with low insulation. The temperature difference with the warm, moist air inside can cause continuous condensation to occur on those cold surfaces. All that wetness will attract fungus growth and cause moisture stains.

Must-know no. 7 – Ventilation is essential

Especially areas that produce a lot of moisture like bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms need lots of ventilation. In some areas, it is simply not possible, cost effective or energy efficient to ventilate continuously. For those areas, there are many great solutions out there. Dehumidifiers or Temperature Control Vents (Temp Vents) can be a solution.

Must-know no. 8 – Humidity is always relative

So, what exactly is “humidity,” anyway? Humidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor in the air. So far, so simple. However, you will usually hear the term “relative humidity.” Why “relative”? Because the maximum amount of water the air can “hold” depends on the temperature of the air. A relative humidity of 100% means the air contains the maximum amount of water it can hold at that specific temperature. Warmer air can hold more water than colder air.

So, what happens when warm humid air cools down? The colder air can hold less moisture and might “drop” some of it. This happens most easily when warm, humid air comes into contact with a cold surface (like a cool soda bottle in summer or windows in winter). Water released by the air in this way is called “condensation,” which can cause serious problems in your home, car, boat or RV.

Must-know no. 9 – The ideal humidity level is 40-60%

Opinions on the ideal relative humidity level in your home vary somewhat. Generally, it is thought best to be in the 40-60% range. Moving outside this range for a short period is not likely to cause you any discomfort. Negative effects are most likely to occur when parts of your home are continuously exposed to high humidity.

Must-know no. 10 – Humidity can be controlled

There are many solutions available to help you maintain healthy humidity levels and moisture problems. Temp Vents, Moisture Control Barriers, Dehumidifiers, Sump Pumps, Encapsulation are several options to control moisture/humidity.

Protect your home from moisture AND termites.

Call Bohannon Services today at (256) 980-0688 for your free evaluation.