Open Your Crawlspace Vents!!!!

[@kcmaldonado3948]

Vented crawl space are a design flaw. What was intended to be a source of fresh air is actually causing more problems with moisture and humidity due the clash of outside air mixing with the air under the house. New homes are conditioned, encapsulated spaces with radon mitigation installed.

[@JamesG1126]

This is not true for the Western US where summer time humidity is very low. Conditioned crawl spaces in the West are rare and limited to custom homes when the owner demanded them because they read an article.

[@Oz-ov1uu]

@@JamesG1126 as long as your crawlspace is 55% and below year round you are fine. I live on Westcoast and if i don't encapsulate the humidity in my crawlspace is 89% lol.

[@crookedriverranchman]

In our area on central Oregon we have had below freezing weather for at least a week. If we didn't close the vents all of our pipes would have froze I guarantee that. I do agree that as soon as it goes above freezing to open up the vents but to say keep them open all the time is not good advice.

[@Bighomiezombo]

Two questions: 1: What about homes with basements? Thats a giant crawlspace with no ventiliation. 2: I live in the South where humidity in the Summer is 99% constantly, and the inside of home stays at like 69% humidity unless I run a dehumidifier. Closing those vents helps tremendously. Wouldnt opening them cause me more problems?

[@paulabrotherton]

Basements present a challenge, as you mentioned. Homes with basements (really all homes) could benefit from a negative air pressure test. This could also give tell-tale signs of heating and cooling losses as an added benefit. In the second part of your comment, you're absolutely right, but the air you're pulling into the living areas of your home has to come from somewhere, and preferably not by creating a stack effect that pulls more radon from the ground into the living areas of your home. I highly recommend consulting an air quality specialist to find the right match between comfort and health--this may include installation of a radon mitigation system in the home.

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Wow, thanks.

[@breeness56]

WHAT??? Oh my god!!! I moved in with my parents 6 years ago because my mom was sick. A year later, my dad passed away taking the secrets of the house. I have had all of the symptoms since I got here. Today in GA, I was walking around the house and wondered what these vents were. 😥😭 Now, I know why we have all been sick. I think you just saved my life!! 💗 A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning. Persistent cough. Hoarseness. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Coughing up blood. Chest pain. Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Loss of appetite.

[@chirina5]

Did you ended up doing a radon test on your home?

[@charlessanders1342]

I close my vents in winter.. open them in summer.My Furnace/ AC use air from inside home and fresh outside air thru Attic/ roof vents. I had a neighbor who left his vents open in winter and his pipe in crawl space froze and busted. I never had that problem. I open vents when temps are in 40s or higher.

[@paulabrotherton]

It really depends how old your house is, and geographically where you live. Here in the Pacific NW valley, there are usually only a couple times per year the weather warrants closing the vents, and even then only for a day or two. Any time the vents are closed, radon levels inside the home increase, so I personally err on the side of caution. Thanks for checking out my video!

[@GrizzlyUrsusArctos]

Thank you. I’m tired of covering my vents. The dogs take the covers off and chew them up. I thought they had to be covered for warmth in cold temps. I’m taking them all off now

[@Oz-ov1uu]

You cover them in winter to prevent cold air meeting hot air and creating moisture.

[@dougl1195]

How do I know if it is open or closed. I can't tell from the outside.

[@AlpineSprinkles]

The last video said seal the vents to prevent moisture intrusion and high humidity.

[@paulabrotherton]

It completely depends on the climate where you live. This video is specific to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

[@americanmade422]

We get freezing temperatures here and have to cover the vents to prevent pipes freezing.

[@paulabrotherton]

During the freezing temps, close them, but open them back up when temps rise to above freezing. Not sure where you are geographically, but it was noted several times in the comments that my suggestions are for my local area, the Pacific NW.

[@peachesnhose5884]

Seems like the vents should always be close except one or two that pulls air out

[@00cherokee87]

Will radon levels increase even if all the floors in the crawlspace/basement are painted poured concrete? I was recently told to close up my vents because my dehumidifier is freezing up in my "Yankee basement". It's a losing battle trying to run the dehumidifier while I have 90% humidity coming in thru all the vents.

[@paulabrotherton]

We’re in the Pacific Northwest, so we don’t have the humidity to deal with like you do in the south. Best bet is to do a radon test with vents open and then again when closed. They sell test kits at the big box home improvement stores, and you can get them on Amazon as well. You may be in an area where radon is not an issue. It’s a big issue where we live.

[@00cherokee87]

@@paulabrotherton thank you for the speedy reply and the great advice!

[@oman350]

I was clear in what to do with the Oregon weather that we have here when it comes to vents while watching this video… then I read the comments and now I'm confused more than ever. Twenny twenny built home in Portland Oregon where we do have some freezing occasionly here and there… do I cover up the vents or leave them uncovered for the Winter?

[@paulabrotherton]

The people who commented to leave them closed are in high humidity environments. A 2020 built home has a properly vented crawl space as well as modern plumbing--vents should be left open except on the rare occasion we drop below freezing for an extended period of time. You can also do what a couple of the commenters suggested and incapsulate at condition the crawlspace, to the tune of about $13k, depending on the size of the crawlspace.

[@brandybrandenburg9525]

Paula - how do you feel about the Temp Vents that open and close on their own?

[@paulabrotherton]

Brandy Brandenburg I love the ones for the attic. I wasn’t aware they made them for crawlspace vents. I’ll have to look into those!

[@kcmaldonado3948]

@@paulabrotherton They make them for the crawlspace, but they open in the summer and close in the colder temps, just like you are speaking of above.

[@JamesG1126]

Encapsulate then close all vents. Conditioned crawl spaces are the way to go.

[@VelvetyMoon]

So good to know. Thank you!

[@kfc1818ko]

I live in Michigan and just purchased a house. I love my house but during winter months floor gets so cold... I have total 3 vents and one access area. Should I close them?

[@paulabrotherton]

I’d double check with your home inspector. I’m in the Pacific NW Valley, and we don’t get especially cold nor especially humid conditions, so here it’s best to leave them open. Not sure about Michigan.

[@FreshKicks4545]

I leave in central california. And my floor get really cold with closed vents. Any thoughts?

[@paulabrotherton]

@@FreshKicks4545 I’d consult a contractor-sounds more like an insulation problem than a vent problem.

[@FreshKicks4545]

@@paulabrotherton most likely. However, I tried the clockwise fan method. Seemed to warm the house down.

[@ewilson1392]

We have our closed because we were told it better that way. The humidity caused wood moisture and deterioration

[@paulabrotherton]

E Wilson Where are you geographically? I’m located in the valley in the Pacific NW, and we definitely should leave them open.

[@ewilson1392]

@@paulabrotherton Virginia

[@ewilson1392]

I hear people say take them off and others say leave them on. We have had them on 1 year now and the house is smells musty

[@toats185]

You're right, open vents actually harm the inside, letting in the elements, moisture and humidity.. The folks that say keep them open means well but its outdated science.

[@JamesG1126]

@@toats185 If you live in an area of high humidity, what you say is true. Not true in the Western US.

[@noetobar5018]

The answer i was looking for.. thank you

[@callmebackfriday2]

I am in southern California, should I open or close vent?

[@Bajaheat]

Best worst advice you could give...open the vents but wait, outside today is 80 percent humidity...so you want me to open the vents and let 80 percent humidity into my crawl? I have 2 inches of closed cell spray foam on my walls with no vents, my crawlspace is at 58 percent humidity right now

[@paulabrotherton]

As mentioned in other comment threads, I am in the Pacific NW and we don't have issues with excessive humidity.

[@Oz-ov1uu]

Wrong. Clean your crawlspace, air it out, Seal the vents, Install 10 mil poly on floor and walls. Install dehumidifier with drain and water alarm. Solved. Never have to open or close your vents ever again. You will have a conditioned space, low humidity, no rotting wood, no bugs or rodents, no cold air coming through your floor. Saves you on your electric bills.

[@paulabrotherton]

Great solution. If you don’t have a spare $6-10k lying around, and you’re not in a high humidity region as discussed in previous comments, leave them open.

[@Oz-ov1uu]

@@paulabrotherton did it myself, cost me $500.