6 Indicators Your Crawl Space Needs to Be Repaired

If it’s your first time living in a house with a crawl space, here’s a tip for you: keep the area clean and safe at all times. By doing so, you’ll be able to prevent problems, such as structural or foundation issues, from happening. 

If you notice any of the signs listed below, you should call a waterproofing company immediately. They offer crawl space solutions like encapsulation and insulation services that can help you fix the issues you may encounter on the underside of your property.

• You Have High Indoor Humidity Levels 

When your indoor air has high humidity levels, the water molecules (moisture) will linger on your skin. This can make you feel even hotter during summer or colder in winter. 

If you notice that it’s more humid inside your home than it is outside, it might be because your unmaintained crawl space also has high humidity levels. Remember that the air in the underside of your home usually rises up to the rest of your house.

• There’s Standing Water in the Area

Do you see pooling or standing water in your crawl space? If yes, it’s a clear indicator that the underside of your home needs to be repaired, waterproofed, insulated, or encapsulated. Most of the time, the water in the area is caused by cracks or gaps in the foundation, improper grading for surface water drainage, leaking window or vent wells, clogged drains, or sewer line malfunction.  

• Your Energy Bills Suddenly Go Up

Did your electricity bill suddenly go up without you changing your energy usage habits? If yes, then your unmaintained crawl space may be to blame. As mentioned above, a large percentage of the air inside your home comes from the underside of your house.

If the air in your crawl space has high humidity levels, so will your indoor air. Hence, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit will have to work harder than usual to keep you and your family comfortable. But as a result, you’ll have to pay a higher electricity bill. 

• There Are Molds in Your Crawl Space

If the underside of your home has pooling water and high humidity levels, there’s a high possibility of mold and mildew growth in the area. So, if you see such fungi in your crawl space, you must call a waterproofing company immediately.

Molds can pose a serious threat not only to your home but to your health, too. They can feed on and break down organic matter, causing significant structural damage to your property. Exposure to such fungi can also affect the health of both allergic and non-allergic members of your family. You may experience hay fever-type symptoms like red eyes, runny nose, skin rash, and sneezing.

• You See Pests and Insects in the Area

Aside from mold and mildew, an unmaintained crawl space with standing water and high humidity levels can also be the perfect home for pests and insects. These may include rats, mice, spiders, termites, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. 

Like molds, pests and insects can also threaten your home and health. Termites, for example, can cause severe damage by eating into the very structure of your property, such as ceiling and floor joists, posts, support beams, and wall studs. 

On the other hand, mosquitoes and rodents are carriers of many diseases. These include Chikungunya virus, dengue, malaria, West Nile virus, Zika virus, hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia, and Salmonella.

• There’s a Strange Smell Arising From Your Floors

If your crawl space is infested with mold, mildew, insects, or pests, then it is likely that you’ll notice unwanted odors in your home. Mold and mildew produce musty, stale, and earthy smells, which are said to be somewhat similar to the stench of decaying wood or wet socks. 

Additionally, pests and insects release strange smells, ranging from musty odors to ammonia-like scents. But you might also notice other unexpected odors, like the smells of blue cheese, rotten coconut, citronella candles, burnt tires, coriander, spoiled raspberries, skunk, and urine.

Get in Touch With a Waterproofing Company Today!

Waterproofing companies provide crawl space solutions to keep the underside of your property safe at times. Reach out to them now to learn how exactly they can help you. They’ll surely love to meet with you and assist you with your needs.