The Drying Company Q&A

Yes. Excess moisture and outside air entering your crawl space can impact the comfort of your home and how frequently your HVAC runs. Your heating and cooling system is forced to work harder, increasing energy bills. By improving insulation, sealing air leaks, and controlling moisture, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency (and comfort). 

Yes. Air from the crawl space rises into the living areas of your home through a process called ‘The Stack Effect.’ If the crawl space is home to excess moisture, mold, or poor air circulation, those conditions can affect the air quality inside your home. Addressing crawl space moisture and humidity can help improve indoor air quality and reduce musty odors. 

Absolutely, you can see reviews on our Google Page, on the Better Business Bureau, and right here on our website.

Different types of gutter guards are available, and each has advantages and limitations. Some mesh guards clog with small debris like pollen and seeds, while other systems affect roof components if installed improperly. Choosing the right system depends on your roof design, tree coverage, and maintenance goals. 

Yes. A sealed or encapsulated crawl space should have a dehumidifier to control the relative humidity. This helps prevent microbial growth, musty odors, and protects the substructure of your home. 

Yes, The Drying Company offers financing options to help make home improvement projects more affordable. Our advisors can review available plans and help you find an option that fits your budget. 

The Drying Company provides free inspections for homeowners throughout the Richmond, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, and surrounding areas. Our advisors evaluate crawl spaces, attics, insulation, and gutter systems to help identify moisture, structural, and energy efficiency issues. 

Inspections and estimates are completely free. 

Energy Star recommends that uninsulated attics install a R60, while attics with an existing 3-4 inches of insulation add a R49. However, Virginia building code requires an R-30 in the attic space, but higher insulation levels can improve comfort and energy efficiency. 

Older building practices recommended opening crawl space vents in the summer and closing them in the winter. However, vents rarely provide enough airflow to keep the crawl space dry in hot, humid months, and don’t keep cold air out in the winter. Modern building science practices favor sealing crawl spaces to better control temperature and moisture. 

Your advisor will begin by discussing your concerns and goals for the project with you. Then they will do a thorough inspection of the crawl space, attic, basement, or gutters, take photos, and review their findings with you. Then they will work with you to build a solution for your home that addresses your concerns and meets your goals for the project. 

Crawl space encapsulation involves completely sealing your crawl space from the outside air and bringing it into the home’s building envelope. This includes installing a vapor barrier, sealing all vents, air sealing, insulating the foundation walls, installing drainage when necessary, and installing a dehumidifier to control the relative humidity. 

Cold outside air enters your crawl space through vents, gaps in the rim band, and around utility penetrations. This cold air is pulled up into your living space, making the floors cold and causing drafts during the winter months.  

You are likely noticing sagging or bouncy floors due to weakened floor joists or settling foundation supports. Moisture in the crawl space can lead to wood rot, and settling foundation supports can reduce support under beams and joists. 

Gutters generally overflow when they become clogged with leaves and debris or when they cannot handle the amount of water coming off the roof. In colder months, ice dams can block gutters and cause water to spill over the sides. 

Every home is different. To provide you with an accurate estimate, we need to inspect the space in person. A free inspection allows us to identify the root cause of the issue and provide a solution tailored to your home.

Musty odors are often a result of excessive moisture and mold growth in the crawl space. Because air from the crawl space rises into your living space, moisture and odors underneath your home can affect indoor air quality. 

Humid outdoor air enters the crawl space through vents and gaps around the foundation. This moisture becomes trapped under the home and eventually makes its way into the living space, impacting the humidity.