Crawl space humidity can grow from an inconvenience to a big problem, in part because many homeowners don’t understand the importance of maintaining their crawl space. Your crawl space plays a vital role in the health of your foundation and floors, which means the entire house could be affected by the damage. Crawl space repair can prove costly, making preventing damage from moisture a priority. A professional waterproofing service can not only inspect your crawl space for any existing damage and help you understand repair and mitigation options but also help you prevent further damage from occurring.
What A Crawl Space Foundation Means
Slab foundations and basements are both well understood: one means your home rests directly on a concrete foundation, the other means you have an area or areas under your house that are essentially rooms where you may need to prevent damage by managing humidity. Crawl space foundations see your home raised above the ground level but the space under your living area is barely large enough to crawl around in. This is designed to lift your home above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and also provides access to parts of your home that may be installed under the floor, such as ductwork or wiring.
Why Humidity Is Dangerous To Your Crawl Space
Like basements, crawl spaces need to be kept dry if you want them to remain strong. Moisture can lead to rot in wood structures, rust in metal, and wear away at dirt, stone, or cement. It can lead to mold infiltration that spreads through the house from underneath. It can also create an environment that’s conducive to pests, such as rodents or termites, that can damage your home in their own right. Cumulatively, these can take a big toll on your home, leading to a large crawl space repair bill.
Leading Sources Of Crawl Space Moisture
There are plenty of ways crawl space humidity can build up, but identifying your crawl space’s most likely culprits is a good first step toward prevention and remediation. While some root causes may be easy to spot, others may take an inspection from a basement and crawl space professional who knows exactly what to look for, especially when more than one cause may be present.
- Plumbing Damage – Whether it’s from a busted pipe or a steady leak, plumbing issues can lead to water in your crawlspace. Water flows to the lowest point, which, in your house, means the crawlspace. Once there, it can accumulate in low areas, soaking in to cause damage.
- Ground Evaporation – Another source may be from ground moisture that has become trapped under your home. Especially in winter months where the ground under your home may be warmer, water may be drawn up and replaced by more moisture from the colder ground around your home.
- Drainage Issues – When your home is constructed, the contractors will create slopes in the ground that channel rain, melt, and runoff away from the home. Sometimes this is done incorrectly, while other times the ground may have since settled, changing the drainage path water takes. If the water is directed toward your home, crawl space humidity can rise or you could even end up with standing water under your home.
- Improper Ventilation – Many crawl spaces will have vents installed to allow for evaporation. Unfortunately, many of these old vents aren’t sufficient to control crawl space humidity in the space they’re meant to cover, and if they’ll let moisture out, they’ll let it right back in too. In addition, vents often are clogged by leaves or other debris, reducing any potential airflow.
Reducing Crawl Space Moisture
- Get An Inspection – Every home is different. While these tips give you a great foundation, an experienced professional can help you pinpoint problems and offer solutions for everything from controlling crawl space humidity to crawl space repair if it’s warranted.
- Fix Existing Damage – If damage is already present, start by fixing the known issues first. Whether this is replacing a busted pipe or replacing supports that are showing signs of rot, it’s always best to get back to a clean, healthy crawl space to avoid sealing in existing problems.
- Make Sure Your Drainage Is Sufficient – Better drainage for your crawl space starts at the roof and works down. Make sure your gutters and spouts are correctly installed. Then make sure water is being directed away from the house and your crawlspace.
- Install A Vapor Or Moisture Barrier – Moisture barriers help prevent the infiltration of groundwater. Sheeting is cut to size and fitted to the ground of the crawlspace under the house, preventing seepage.
- Insulate Your Crawl Space Area – Temperature changes can pull moisture from the air, causing it to condense under your floor. Insulation moderates these temperature changes to reduce their impact.
- Seal Your Crawl Space – Once dry and protected, consider blocking off vents that might allow cool air in. Sealing cracks and crevices not only work great for preventing moisture but also help deter pests that might damage your home.
- Install A Dehumidifier And Sump Pump – Dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air, leaving it dryer. This is a great way to ensure your crawl space humidity levels stay low. Sump pumps use a trench dug at the lowest point to collect water, then a powerful pump moves the water through a hose or pipe away from your home.
Protect Your Home’s Crawl Spaces Today
As a homeowner, you should be inspecting your crawlspace every six months. If you notice any issues or if it’s been far longer than that since the last inspection, contact us. A waterproofing expert will inspect your crawl space, then give you the information you need to make an informed decision about crawl space humidity prevention, remediation, or even crawl space repairs that may be needed. Schedule your free visit with an experienced professional from A.M. Wall Anchor & Waterproofing today.
