The area under your floor is often forgotten about by homeowners. After all, it is out of sight and therefore often out of mind. But, the simple truth is that this part of your home needs plenty of attention.
Under our floor is the foundation of your building, this small gap can trap warm air and cause you an array of issues. That’s why homeowners should invest in high-quality under floor ventilation systems. These can save you a lot of hassle and money.
How The Under Floor Ventilation System Works
A well-designed under-floor ventilation system will consist of an entry and exit point. This allows air to enter the space under your floor and leave. In some cases this system is naturally controlled, meaning that the vents are enough to move air in and out of the space. However, this relies on the wind blowing in the right direction and is not the most efficient method.
Instead, the majority of systems use a fan. This either pulls the air into space under the floor or pushes it out. Both systems ensure the air under your floor is constantly changing.
Why It Is Important
Air under your home that doesn’t move will warm, allowing it to ho greater quantities of water. Water naturally occurs in the air but its levels can be increased through water leaks in your home or water rising up through the foundations, especially if the damp-proof barrier is no longer effective.
Hot weather can also increase the humidity in the air, creating warm and moist air under your floor.
Without a ventilation system, the air sits there and the moisture coats your underfloor. This leads to fungal growth and you are likely to see mold penetrating the bottom of your house. As mold spores can be detrimental to your health this is not a good idea.
In addition, the dampness will sit on the wood. This attracts another type of fungus to the wood which causes wet rot. Wet rot weakens the wood, potentially causing structural issues.
In addition to the floorboards starting to sink and warp, you’ll notice a distinct odor that is not pleasant. At this point, the under-floor ventilation will help to slow the speed of wood destruction but it can’t repair the damage that has been done.
Installation Is Simple
It is advisable to get professional help when installing your sub-floor ventilation system. This is because you need to consider the best air movement under the building to ensure the system takes advantage of this and works efficiently. A badly planned system can leave air sitting in pockets and this can still give you issues inside your home.
Part of the installation also involves crawling around in the under-floor space and checking for leaking pipes, condensation, visible mold, or even places where rainwater can get in. That’s a job that most people would rather leave to the professionals.
