Root Causes of Pests, Mold, & Odor In Your Crawl Space

Crawl Space Vents

Open crawl space vents allow cold moist air under your home in the winter and warm moist air in the summer. This environment is a perfect incubator for wood rot, mold, mildew, pests, and rodents. This leads to higher electricity bills, expensive structural damage, and unhealthy air. A professional inspection can identify the correct way to address these problems.

Exposed Ground

Exposed dirt in your crawl space will release gases, odors, and moisture under your home that can seep up into your living space. As the damp soil dries it shrinks allowing the post and beam structural supports to settle causing damage to your home. The moisture released for exposed soil can lead to mold, affecting the wood your home is built of and the heath of the those that live in the home.

Compromised Subfloor

When wood floors warp, the problem might go all the way down to the subfloor. Water condensation and leakage can also seep through the crawl space to the subfloor. If your subfloor has been compromised, you might notice squeaky or bowed floors, which are not only unattractive but can also pose hazards to your family.

Damaged Foundation

Once your crawl space is wet, the soil becomes mud reducing the load bearing capacity. This can lead to foundation settlement, an expensive problem. Prolonged exposure to moisture levels or humidity weakens the wooden beams that support your home, damaging and warping the structure. Water can absorb into the concrete of your home's foundation, where seasonal freezing and thawing will form cracks. The Northwest is an area that gets a lot of rain, check your crawl space for signs of water at least twice a year and after storms and heavy rain.

Poor Drainage

Without a properly performing drainage system, water from your roof and gutters pours directly into the soil surrounding your home. Poor drainage in your crawl space can lead to expensive foundation repairs if not addressed promptly.