There are more crawl space foundation problems than many realize. Crawl spaces are often “out of sight, out of mind,” so it’s easy to overlook some types of problems.
Problems in a crawl space can cause serious concerns for the rest of the house. Read on to learn more about some of the most common issues affecting crawl spaces.
What Crawl Space Issues Are Easy to Address Early?
Crawl space issues can be somewhat unpredictable. However, regular inspections will help you catch problems early. Some of the issues more likely to be seen early in home ownership include mold, pest infestations, and flooding.
Fungal growth is a potential problem in any crawl space with high humidity levels. All it takes is a single spore to start a cycle of fungal growth. Fungal growth is dangerous because it can affect your home’s structural integrity, as well as affect the health of your household members.
Fungal growth is relatively easy to resolve once discovered. The key point is to resolve the fungal growth before it grows to a great extent.
Termites, carpenter ants, and rodents are pests that can easily infiltrate crawl spaces. These types of pests can damage your home’s structural supports pretty easily.
Although moisture is always a potential problem in crawl spaces, flooding is a more serious problem. Standing water in a crawl space can prove particularly destructive over time.
What Crawl Space Foundation Problems Tend to Be Long-Term?
Long-term crawl space foundation problems tend to show up in homes occupied for five to ten years or more. One thing worth remembering is that crawl spaces impact your home’s foundation and any additions.
Water-damaged crawl spaces lead to sticky windows and doors, heaving foundations, and cracking chimneys.
Crawl spaces also contain structural supports that can lead to serious damage. Warped or otherwise damaged floors are common problems occurring when the structural supports get damaged.
How Can Hydrostatic Pressure Affect Your Crawl Space?
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that builds up from water accumulating at your home’s perimeter. This pressure is the main cause of damage that homeowners report in crawl spaces.
Water can put a lot of pressure on structural support. The pressure on these supports can cause them to break or crack, leading to substantial damage.
What Else Can Damage Your Crawl Space?
There are other factors that are common causes of crawl space damage that homeowners overlook. Some of these factors could occur with hydrostatic pressure, but may also occur separately.
Inappropriate construction materials could play a role in damaged crawl spaces. Some builders try to cut costs by using inferior materials, and some homes are the victims of DIY jobs that create problems.
Tree roots can also cause a lot of damage in a crawl space. When tree roots are large or run deeply, they can penetrate crawl space walls and floors, causing cracks and other damage.
What to Do When You Have Crawl Space Foundation Problems
Repairing crawl space damage on your own is never a good idea. Contractors who work with crawl spaces have the expertise to make sure the job is always done right.
An important part of involving a crawl space contractor is having an inspection done to identify issues that need addressing. Taking a proactive approach will help ensure that your crawl space gets the attention it needs before the damage is too extensive.
Falcone Crawl Space can handle all your crawl space foundation problems, regardless of the cause, so contact us today to see what solutions we can offer for your crawl space.
