Do I Need a Crawl Space Vent Cover?

Crawl spaces are commonly built with vents because it was believed that they would help air out the humidity. As it turns out, vents actually increase the humidity levels of the crawl space because they let in water and humid air from the outside. Due to the stack effect, the humid air that gets in rises into your home instead of going out from the same place it entered—the vent. Construction crews still build crawl spaces with vents simply because it’s tradition and they aren’t interested in implementing waterproofing solutions. If you have a crawl space with a vent, you need to get a vent cover.

Vent covers are pieces of durable plastic that go over the crawl space vent to cover it up. They are custom-fitted to create an air-tight seal that ensures no water ever makes its way into the crawl space via the vent. Installing vent covers won’t take care of all your crawl space problems. Moisture can still permeates through if there is no vapor barrier in place. Still, they stop the circulation of air to and from your crawl space, which improves the energy efficiency in your home and lowers your electricity bills.

If you’re worried about covering your vent in case you or a contractor needs it to access the crawl space, fear not. The vent cover we use at Tar Heel Basement System, LumaBright™, is completely removable once the installation is done. LumaBright™ is made of a thick plastic that never rusts and lasts for more than 20 years, an excellent choice if you want the best for your home.