New Earth Advantage prerequisite measure: Dry Crawl Space - Free of Standing Water

Earth Advantage recognizes the importance of controlling bulk moisture in and around a building for long term durability and indoor air quality.

Therefore, we are announcing a new prerequisite measure: Dry Crawl Space - Free of Standing Water. 

A dry crawlspace ensures that building materials will have longterm durability and provides better indoor air quality for the occupants of the home. Moisture build up in a crawl space can lead to mold, dry rot, pest problems and even building failure. Exterior grading, ground vapor barriers, and passive ventilation can protect crawl spaces from both moisture events and radon build up from the soil below.

This measure is intended to help ensure the long term durability of Earth Advantage Certified homes, with the focus of enforcement primarily on areas where the water intrusion appears to be recent or recurring, rather than on negligible amounts of water that may be left from before cover.

This measure will have a soft roll out in January 2017, and full compliance with the new measure will be required as of July 2017.