u/celtz

Around 3 years ago, I was slowly getting through a list of items that reflected on a Home Inspection report prior to purchasing my home. One of those items was a light white dusting of possible mold-like substance on some of the joists in the crawlspace and to get it treated by a professional.

I contracted a semi-local company in Memphis, TN (Redeemers Group). The home is in Northeast Arkansas. They came assessed the crawlspace. I opted not to do the encapsulation and to instead coat the lumber with a mold inhibitor called Watson Seal "LumberKote". It had a 30-year warranty, so I said why not, cheaper than encapsulation... plus I already had a vapor barrier and functioning sump pump under the home.

Before scheduling the install, I was speaking with the sales rep about cold drafts in certain rooms and if covering the exterior crawlspace vents would keep the cooler air out in the winter and the humid air out in the summer. He said the crawlspace would be fine and it could help with that. So, me believing the "foundation" company and possibly being naive and putting trust in Redeemers Group to not be unethical, I paid an extra $400 or so for 12 exterior crawlspace covers + installation. I also have an email saved from them confirming that putting the ext. crawlspace covers over the vents with the LumberKote wouldn't jeopardize anything in the crawlspace.

Fast forward nearly 3 years later to today. The covers have helped with the temperatures in the winter and summer. However, today I went under the home about 5 feet in from the crawlspace entrance with a $25 humidity gauge from Lowes and the humidity quickly began to rise. I was only under there for about 2 min and the humidity got up to 93% (potentially higher had I stayed under longer and/or went deeper). There was a heavy rain two days ago (Saturday) for additional context.

It's only Spring and I am worried that the humidity under the home could be worse in the Summer. Is it normal for humidity to get that high from time to time, or do I need to compel them to come take the crawlspace covers off that are anchored in the brick foundation? Some areas they actually damaged while putting them on and they put a large amount silicone around the few areas they messed the brick/mortar up (pictured).

They have 4.7 stars from 381 Google Reviews. I am not going to blast them if this is normal, or, if it's not and they're willing to make it right, but just looking for some advice. Thank you!

Around 3 years ago, I was slowly getting through a list of items that reflected on a Home Inspection report prior to purchasing my home. One of those items was a light white dusting of possible mold-like substance on some of the joists in the crawlspace and to get it treated by a professional.

I contracted a semi-local company in Memphis, TN (Redeemers Group). The home is in Northeast Arkansas. They came assessed the crawlspace. I opted not to do the encapsulation and to instead coat the lumber with a mold inhibitor called Watson Seal "LumberKote". It had a 30-year warranty, so I said why not, cheaper than encapsulation... plus I already had a vapor barrier and functioning sump pump under the home.

Before scheduling the install, I was speaking with the sales rep about cold drafts in certain rooms and if covering the exterior crawlspace vents would keep the cooler air out in the winter and the humid air out in the summer. He said the crawlspace would be fine and it could help with that. So, me believing the "foundation" company and possibly being naive and putting trust in Redeemers Group to not be unethical, I paid an extra $400 or so for 12 exterior crawlspace covers + installation. I also have an email saved from them confirming that putting the ext. crawlspace covers over the vents with the LumberKote wouldn't jeopardize anything in the crawlspace.

Fast forward nearly 3 years later to today. The covers have helped with the temperatures in the winter and summer. However, today I went under the home about 5 feet in from the crawlspace entrance with a $25 humidity gauge from Lowes and the humidity quickly began to rise. I was only under there for about 2 min and the humidity got up to 93% (potentially higher had I stayed under longer and/or went deeper). There was a heavy rain two days ago (Saturday) for additional context.

It's only Spring and I am worried that the humidity under the home could be worse in the Summer. Is it normal for humidity to get that high from time to time, or do I need to compel them to come take the crawlspace covers off that are anchored in the brick foundation? Some areas they actually damaged while putting them on and they put a large amount silicone around the few areas they messed the brick/mortar up (pictured).

They have 4.7 stars from 381 Google Reviews. I am not going to blast them if this is normal, or, if it's not and they're willing to make it right, but just looking for some advice. Thank you!