The Role of EZ Breathe Ventilation Systems in Basement and Crawlspace Waterproofing

Posted by Andre & Erika Lacroix on
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Basement and crawlspace waterproofing are essential for protecting the structural integrity of a home, preventing mold growth, and ensuring a healthy indoor environment. However, while many homeowners focus on keeping water out with traditional waterproofing systems, an often-overlooked factor in the equation is ventilation. Moisture control is just as important as water intrusion prevention, and this is where EZ Breathe ventilation systems come into play. By controlling humidity and improving airflow, EZ Breathe works hand-in-hand with waterproofing systems to keep basements and crawlspaces dry and free from moisture-related problems.

In this article, we’ll examine the crucial role EZ Breathe systems play in basement and crawlspace waterproofing, how they manage moisture, and why ventilation is a critical component of a complete waterproofing strategy.

Moisture Problems in Basements and Crawlspaces

Basements and crawlspaces are notorious for moisture-related problems. Whether it’s water seeping through the walls, condensation forming on cold surfaces, or humidity rising from the ground, these spaces often struggle with dampness. This creates a perfect environment for mold growth, wood rot, and even pest infestations, all of which can lead to costly repairs.

Common Causes of Moisture in Basements and Crawlspaces:

  1. Water Seepage
    Groundwater can seep into basements and crawlspaces through foundation walls, floors, or small cracks, leading to persistent moisture problems.ez-breathe-ventilation-systems-ez-breathe-ventilation-system-1
  2. Condensation
    Warm air entering a cool basement or crawlspace can condense on cold surfaces like walls, windows, or pipes, adding moisture to the environment.
  3. Humidity from the Soil
    Crawlspaces, in particular, are prone to humidity rising from the ground, especially if they aren’t sealed or properly vented.

The Function of EZ Breathe in Moisture Control

While waterproofing systems such as sump pumps, drainage systems, and vapor barriers are crucial for keeping water out, they don’t always solve the problem of moisture and humidity. This is where EZ Breathe ventilation systems make a significant difference. EZ Breathe doesn’t just move air around—it expels moisture-laden air out of the basement or crawlspace and introduces fresh, drier air from outside. This reduces overall humidity levels and helps maintain a dry, healthy environment.

How EZ Breathe Controls Moisture:

  1. Continuous Ventilation
    Unlike traditional dehumidifiers, which recirculate the same air, EZ Breathe continuously removes humid air from the home and brings in fresh air, keeping moisture levels low.
  2. Moisture Removal
    By ventilating moisture-filled areas like basements and crawlspaces, EZ Breathe helps dry out the air, walls, and floors, preventing mold growth and wood rot.
  3. Drying Out Damp Areas
    EZ Breathe systems are particularly effective after heavy rains or flooding, as they help dry out damp areas quickly, preventing long-term damage.

EZ Breathe vs. Dehumidifiers for Moisture Management

Homeowners often wonder whether they should invest in a dehumidifier or a ventilation system like EZ Breathe for moisture management. While both serve the purpose of reducing moisture, there are significant differences in how they operate and their overall effectiveness.

  1. Dehumidifiersez-breathe-ventilation-systems-ez-breathe-ventilation-system-2Dehumidifiers extract moisture from the air and collect it in a tank, which needs to be emptied regularly. While they can reduce humidity, they don’t address the underlying cause of moisture and only treat the air in the immediate space where they’re placed.
  2. EZ Breathe
    EZ Breathe, on the other hand, actively ventilates the entire basement or crawlspace by expelling moisture-laden air and introducing fresh air from outside. It doesn’t require maintenance, such as emptying water tanks, and is more energy-efficient since it doesn’t need to run continuously to maintain moisture control.

Combining Waterproofing Solutions with Ventilation

To create a truly moisture-free basement or crawlspace, it’s best to combine traditional waterproofing methods with effective ventilation. While sump pumps and drainage systems keep water out, ventilation systems like EZ Breathe ensure that any remaining moisture is expelled from the area.

Benefits of Combining Waterproofing with EZ Breathe:

  1. Preventing Mold and Mildew
    Even with waterproofing, moisture can still seep in or accumulate from other sources. EZ Breathe helps prevent the conditions where mold and mildew can thrive.
  2. Reducing Structural Damage
    By maintaining low humidity levels, EZ Breathe reduces the risk of wood rot, corrosion of metal, and weakening of foundation materials.
  3. Creating a Healthier Indoor Environment
    Ventilation improves indoor air quality by removing musty odors, allergens, and harmful pollutants that can accumulate in damp spaces.

While waterproofing systems are essential for keeping basements and crawlspaces dry, ventilation plays an equally important role in maintaining moisture control. EZ Breathe ventilation systems provide a comprehensive solution by removing humid, moisture-laden air from your home and replacing it with fresh air, creating a healthier, drier, and more comfortable living environment. When combined with traditional waterproofing techniques, EZ Breathe offers the ultimate defense against moisture-related problems.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Ventilation System Today! 866-822-7328

Written by Andre & Erika Lacroix

We are a 2nd generation family owned and operated business that has been working in homes with basements and crawl spaces for over 40 years.  We have been waterproofing and sealing about 500 foundations a month during that time as the largest Waterproofing contractor in the Midwest with 15 locations servicing 8 states.

20 years ago we would seal a foundation and recommend a standard dehumidifier to address the additional water vapor (humidity in the air) inherently found in below grade environments, such as basements and crawlspaces.  Back then, dehumidifiers were the industry standard to help with this problem. However, many of our customers were looking to us as the “foundation expert”, asking…

“What else do you have? I really am not getting results with this messy, expensive dehumidifier. My foundation is dry, walls are dry, floor is dry, so why does it still smell and feel like a basement?” 

We needed to find something better. Our company’s core values include offering world class customer service to every customer, every time.   So, we challenged our Research and Development department to find a real solution for our customers to combat not only the moisture, but also the odors, pollutants and unhealthy environment our customers were concerned about. We found, tested and installed a ventilation product for a period of three years. We private labeled that product as the EZ Breathe Ventilation System. The feedback in those first three years from our customers, as well as our installation crews, did not live up to the standard of quality to be included in our waterproofing process that offered a life time warranty. Once again, we needed something better.

We valued not only the results, but what we were learning from our customers. So, we went back to the drawing board, took matters into our own hands and made quality improvements to that first generation ventilation unit.

Our own EZ Breathe Ventilation System was born…reengineered, redesigned and much improved! We quickly learned that our crews were thrilled with the quality improvements, ease of operation and installation, but more importantly, our waterproofing customers loved the new, improved EZ Breathe unit as well.

Their feedback told us the air in their basements and crawlspaces felt better, but their entire home was benefiting from their EZ Breathe as well. We received countless letters thanking us because their whole house felt different, less odors, fresher air upstairs too, family members were feeling better, needing less allergy medicine, husbands were no longer snoring, children were no longer coughing as much, the home and it’s family were living healthier lives!

It was time for us to move beyond simply offering this innovative technology to just our waterproofing customers. Our passion and commitment to helping people improve their indoor air environments is what drove us to incorporate EZ Breathe Ventilation Systems as an independent company in 2003. We strongly believe that homeowners everywhere deserve a healthy indoor air quality.

We have spent the last 20 years dedicated to learning about the relationship between our home and our health; indoor air quality, the home as a system, building science and how it relates to indoor air quality as well as the challenges our modern day practices pose to the quality of air we breathe in our homes.