Preventing the stack effect from affecting your home is a matter of identifying and repairing the issues that are letting air into your home in the first place. As we have stated, in most cases the issue is in the crawl space, but there are exceptions.    Professional Intervention    First and foremost, calling a professional to properly assess your home for signs of damage is important. The stack effect is very simple; it simply requires an entry and exit point for air at the lowest and highest parts of your home. Because of this, there are many potential sources and co-occurring issues you may have to identify and rectify.    Crawl space professionals are far better placed to do this than the average homeowner. There is a chance, of course, that uncovered crawl space vents are the root of the issue. In this case, it will be easy to fix, but you should still have your home assessed for damage that may have occurred as a result of this exposure. A professional will be able to diagnose the causes and identify co-occurring issues and damage with ease.    Crawl Space Encapsulation    One of the easiest ways to deal with this issue is to fully encapsulate your crawl space. Not only will this cut off the necessary exit and entry points, but it will protect your home from other issues. By fitting vent covers, vapor barriers, and insulation you will not only remove the necessary conditions for the stack effect but also prevent dampness and humidity from getting into your home.    This will have many long-term benefits for your home and your health. As well as preventing the constant airflow and movement created by the stack effect, encapsulation will prevent mold formation and dampness from taking root, and reduce pests’ interest in the crawl space. This will protect you from wood rot, damage to your crawl space joists, and sagging floors.