A damp or wet crawl space or a completely wet crawl space can come about because of seasonal changes, as well as other factors. When your crawl space gets damp, all of these situations are possible:
- Cooler floors
- Mustier air
- Mold spores
- HVAC system running for longer
When your crawl space is damp, moisture has found its way into this area. High humidity during the summer and leaking pipes are a couple of examples of possible causes, as well as saturated soil. Seeing a crawl space specialist for waterproofing could be in order.
Is a Wet Crawl Space Anything to Worry About?
If there is any type of moisture or water in your crawl space, you should be concerned. Some of the problems that may come about from excess moisture include:
- Structural damage
- Water damage
- Pests
- Musty smells
- Mold growth
All of these problems are expensive and often require extensive amounts of repair work. The only way to discover the cause of the moisture or water is a detailed inspection.
What Are Water Sources in a Damp or Wet Crawl Space?
A damp crawl space will give you a reason to wonder where the moisture is coming from. There are many factors that can contribute to water in this space.
Any pipes that pass through the crawl space should be taken into consideration. Sometimes, leaks are not obvious. The problems begin after the water has evaporated and made the space more humid.
Water flowing from the roof during rainfall is another possible cause. If your yard is poorly-graded or you have low-quality gutters, much of this water could enter your crawl space.
Humid air is a root cause of moisture in many crawl spaces, requiring dehumidifying measures. The air will condense during contact with surfaces. With summers in the Carolinas having high humidity levels, this condensation is a real problem.
Surrounding soil may also contribute to moisture in your crawl space. Melting snow or heavy downpours are the usual suspects. This moisture can easily evaporate into the crawl space area.
Clogged gutters or downspouts, as well as defective gutters, are also major contributors. Water must channel away from the walls of your home to stay out of your crawl space.
Although these problems may seem insurmountable, they can be corrected. A crawl space consultation will be able to give you the best suggestions for your needs.
What Solutions Are Available for Crawl Space Waterproofing?
Encapsulation is one of the most effective solutions for a damp crawl space. This solution includes coating the walls and floors with a water vapor barrier. The barrier usually has a 10-mil thickness to effectively lock out air and moisture.
Dehumidification is necessary to deal with heavily-moist air to avoid mold growth and rot. Using dehumidifiers reduces the amount of moisture in the air, ideally down to 50% or less.
Damaging surface water in your crawl space can be dealt with through sump pumps. If the pump is at the lowest point, it will help pump water out of the crawl space.
Other important steps include fixing defective gutters and installing interior drains as is necessary. Taking these steps will make sure water no longer drains into your crawl space.
Taking action before the situation spirals out of control is necessary when your crawl space has moisture. A crawl space inspection is an important step to take to help set things right.
Falcone Crawl Space handles all kinds of crawl space issues, no matter how complex. Contact us today to find out more about what we can do to resolve your damp crawl space issues.
