Moisture Prevention for your Home
We can thank our humid climate for the lush foliage of City Park and the vibrant blooms of the bougainvillea, but humidity also creates problems for homeowners in New Orleans. Mold, mildew, and rot are all common dilemmas confronting thousands of structures in southern Louisiana’s moist warmth.
Louisiana’s humidity creates moisture problems for homeowners
Moisture-related problems can wreak havoc on a home’s structural integrity. Floorboards exposed to the damp earth beneath historic homes weaken as they slowly rot; in a short time, that rot attracts a swarm of hungry termites. These nefarious insects prey on structural damage created by excessive moisture, and as they dine on damp wood, they hasten the destruction of a house’s floors, walls, and ceilings.
But what harm comes to the inhabitants of homes invaded by moisture? Mold and mildew release spores into the air that you breathe, and your indoor air quality quickly declines. These pollutants can be linked to increases in respiratory related illnesses, including asthma. Children, in particular, suffer the consequences of these airborne irritants as they breathe faster than adults, inhaling 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults.
Mold and mildew pollute indoor air and increase respiratory illnesses
Fortunately, even older New Orleans homes can be treated for these problems, and two pound spray polyurethane foam, one powerful form of moisture control, has benefits in addition to moisture prevention.
Applied beneath homes, closed cell spray foam seals in conditioned air that otherwise leaks through floorboards, and it seals out moisture that rises from the damp earth beneath Louisiana homes. Closed cell spray foam is so moisture resistant, in fact, that it can be used as a flotation material to keep marine structures high and dry.
Closed cell spray foam prevents moisture and strengthens your home
Because of closed cell spray foam’s unique adhesive properties, it clings to the underside of floorboards, creating a permanent, impenetrable bond that protects even those floors that have no sub-flooring insulation to speak of. In a matter of minutes after spraying, the foam hardens into a barrier that not only prevents moisture penetration but also adds increased strength to the floorboards!
One New Orleans homeowner had attempted to protect his 110 year old Uptown home by applying fiberglass batting to the underside of floorboards. The insulation provided no improvement in energy loss, and what’s more, within six months it had completely fallen out of place, drooping beneath the crawlspace. This created more harm than good. The loose fit of the batting actually held moisture closer to the wood while providing a nesting space for rodents and insects!
If you’re experiencing moisture problems in your Louisiana home, contact Sunlight Contractors, LLC to discuss weather-proofing and moisture-prevention, and air sealing options will work for your home. We’re accredited by the Better Business Bureau, licensed by the Louisiana State Board for Contractors, and certified by the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance.
Locations:
Main Office: Sunlight Contractors, LLC 2323 Bainbridge St #110, Kenner, LA 70062 (504) 919-9993
New Orleans location: Sunlight Contractors, LLC 650 Poydras St, Suite 1400, Rm 33, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 302-0058