Modern life is busy and fast paced. And in the hierarchy of daily priorities, crawl spaces tend to fall ever further down the to-do list. It’s hard to care about a space in your home you rarely—if ever—visit. However, neglecting your crawl space is a mistake you could pay for later in the form of structural damage, pest infestations, and health problems.
Ensuring that your crawl space has effective moisture control is essential to good home maintenance. Crawl space moisture control protects your home’s structural integrity, improves air quality, enhances energy efficiency, and prevents unwanted pests.
Why Crawl Space Moisture Control Matters
Crawl spaces are areas under older homes that were built as an affordable way to provide ventilation and easy access to important plumbing and electrical systems. However, we now know that most crawl spaces have very poor ventilation but plenty of access to exterior and groundwater. That means water can get in but can’t get out. Trapped moisture can cause a trifecta of issues that, if left unaddressed, can lead to serious and expensive problems.
- Structural problems you don’t see: Excess moisture can lead to rot, warping your floors, and weakening your foundation and support beams. Over the years, you could develop a dangerous and very expensive problem to remediate.
- Perfect Environment for Pests: The dark, moist crawl space environment can attract termites, rodents, and other pests that can eat away at your foundation or carry diseases into your home.
- Health Issues that start below: Dank, warm crawl spaces are a recipe for mold and mildew growth. The air from your crawl space makes its way into your living areas and can lead to respiratory issues and allergies for your loved ones.
How Controlling Crawl Space Moisture Can Improve Your Life
If excess crawl space moisture creates a triple threat, then controlling the moisture under your home is paramount. It protects against problems and offers multiple benefits, including:
- Protects structural integrity: For most people, their home is their castle and one of their biggest investments. Crawl space moisture control protects against structural damage caused by moisture by stopping wood rot before it starts.
- Improves air quality: Crawl space air circulates through your home. Your whole family will breathe easier with clean air that’s not riddled with mold spores and allergens.
- Enhances energy efficiency: You may notice savings on your monthly energy bills. Moisture control reduces humidity levels, allowing your HVAC system to work more efficiently.
How Crawl Space Moisture Control Works
There are several methods for controlling moisture in a crawl space and the severity of your moisture issues determines the best method for you. One first line of defense are vapor barriers. These large plastic sheets create a waterproof barrier between the ground and your floor. These are a great option for people in drier areas where environmental moisture isn’t a pressing problem.
For homeowners in more humid environments, like Roanoke, VA, professionals frequently recommend encapsulation, which involves sealing your crawl space from outside moisture. Dehumidifiers are a great compliment to encapsulation as they ensure that humidity stays at optimal levels.
Signs You Need Crawl Space Moisture Control
You may be wondering how to tell if moisture is an issue for you, short of crawling into the crawl space yourself. Crawl space moisture can cause problems for the whole house, and there are some very clear signals that you could have a problem. If you’re experiencing any of the following, then it’s time to move crawl space moisture control to the top of your to-do list:
- Visible mold or mildew.
- Musty odors inside the home.
- Higher than normal humidity levels indoors.
- Sagging floors or structural issues.
- Increased sightings of pests like termites.
In short, if you have an untreated crawl space, chances are high that you need moisture control—and we can help. Crawl Space Care has helped hundreds of home owners in Roanoke and beyond with their crawl space needs.
Treating crawl space moisture is an investment in the future of your home, health, and peace of mind. We offer a free inspection and hassle-free estimate so you can make an informed decision about which care option is best for you without pressure from us. Ready to take care of the moisture in your crawl space?