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Resource Article

The Most Common Crawl Space Problems – Plus Solutions!

WRITTEN BY:
Blake Heron
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If you own your own home, there’s a good chance that you have a secret crawl space hidden under your home. However, without proper care and maintenance, your crawl space could become a real problem to deal with.

What are some common causes of crawl space problems and how can I fix them?

If you’ve been having difficulties with your crawl space, you’re in luck. Here are some of the reasons your crawl space may be having problems and what you can do to repair them!

Moisture

Your number one cause for crawl space problems has to do with the amount of moisture in the air. Whether you live in a humid climate or experience frequent rainstorms, too much moisture in your crawl space is a big deal. Not only can that added water do damage to the crawl space itself, but as it evaporates, it can seep into the lower levels of your home and cause further trouble.

Keep an eye out for standing water and odd smells coming from your crawl space. Strange odors, especially musty and stagnant scents, indicate potential mold growth. If you suspect you may have mold growing in your crawl space, you should contact a professional for an inspection immediately.

These are three main reasons why you may have too much moisture in your crawl space: open vents, too much-exposed dirt, and water intrusion. Be sure to keep an eye on your crawl space if you notice more rainstorms than usual to prevent further moisture from seeping in.

Structural Instability

The health and stability of your crawl space depend greatly on the structural integrity of your home as a whole.

What goes on around and beneath your home is important to the stability of your crawl space. For example, do you have a gutter system that moves water away from your home? If not, that water only has one place to go; off of your roof and right next to your foundation.

As water seeps into the ground, it causes the soil to expand against your crawl space, causing structural instability. It also creates additional moisture inside of the crawl space. This leads to the moisture issues we’ve already mentioned.

If you are concerned about the structural stability of your crawl space, a crawl space repair inspector can come to take a look and tell you how to improve your home.

Natural Causes

There are always going to be problems that we can’t really anticipate. Severe storms, earthquakes, and fires can wreak havoc on our homes. No matter what season it is, water can find a way to sneak into your crawl space and cause water damage.

Water isn’t the only result of natural disasters you need to worry about; droughts can be just as bad. Having all moisture sucked from the soil can cause shifts in your home’s foundation, leading to structural instability in your crawl space. Pay close attention to potentially dangerous weather and act accordingly!

Solutions to Your Crawl Space Problems

Now that you know about some of the problems you can have with your crawl space, it’s time to work towards solutions! Here are a few of the best fixes you can utilize in your crawl space.

Vapor Barrier Installation

As you now know, water damage is one of the worst problems you can have when it comes to your crawl space. That’s why taking steps to protect yourself against moisture issues is key when protecting your crawl space. That’s where vapor barrier installation comes in handy!

Using foil or plastic sheets, you can encapsulate your crawl space and keep it protected against water damage. Whether a huge storm hits or there’s a small plumbing leak in your home, your crawl space will stay safe and dry!

Crawl Space Waterproofing

With the help of a professional, you can add an internal drainage system to your crawl space to get rid of standing water and keep your crawl space safe. This works great in conjunction with the vapor barrier installation; not only will the crawl space itself stay dry, but standing water won’t have a chance to collect and cause structural damage to your home’s crawl space!

Expert Assistance

No matter what sort of steps you take to protect your crawl space, you should always have a pro do the work. They can advise you on additional steps you can take to improve the integrity of your home. This is particularly useful if you have already experienced water damage or structural issues in your home.

If you notice that mold or mildew has built up within the space, you should contact a removal team for help as well. Get in touch with a team right away to avoid mold spreading anywhere else in your home!

Keeping Your Crawl Space Dry

You don’t have to let your crawl space problems creep away from you. With proper care and maintenance efforts, you can clean up your crawl space and protect it from future damage. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional if you ever need help dealing with the issues!

Is your crawl space seriously damaged? Do you need someone to come to take care of the repairs?

We’re here to help. Contact us with any questions or concerns you have about our crawl space repair services and continue reading our blog for more helpful information today!