Your crawl space is a part of your home that sits beneath the first floor; it’s a region of your foundation. If problems arise in this area of your home, it could impact the rest of the house because your foundation helps keep everything structurally sound. Read on to learn more about some of the top crawl space issues you need to repair ASAP.
Signs of Water Damage
Water damage is a serious issue, especially if the water gets in through a crack in your foundation. This moisture can lead to mold growth, welcome pests, or ruin wood support beams by causing wood rot. You can turn on a dehumidifier, but that’ll only help soak up some water that’s already there instead of resolving the problem.
Luckily, there are a few ways to repair this issue and prevent it from happening again. Most foundation repair companies recommend crawl space encapsulation because it seals off the area. Many also combine this with other methods, such as a sump pump, to keep things dry.
Bad Odors
If you step into the crawl space and it smells musty, there’s a good chance there’s water damage in this area of the home. You may even have mold and mildew growing since both thrive in a damp, dark environment. While you can check for visual signs of both, you should always call an expert. A professional can get to the root cause of the musty smell and create a course of action for solving the issue.
Other Smells
You may also notice a fouler smell that suggests something is rotting in the crawl space. This odor can happen if there are deceased animals or issues with your sewage system. Moldy soil could also be to blame for this kind of stink.
Pest and Rodent Infestations
Nobody likes pests in their home, and an infestation can be gross. The last thing you want to do is find termites or rodents taking over your crawl space. Plus, these creatures can damage your home, and some carry transferrable diseases. Luckily, you can keep water and pests out with encapsulation.
Hefty Energy Expenses
If your energy bills have dramatically increased, there may be an issue with your crawl space. Insulating this part of the home helps keep the indoor air inside. Without proper insulation, the air from outside can draft into your home and impact the temperature in the house.
Uneven Floors
You may not notice this issue while in the crawlspace. However, you’ll know there’s an issue because the floors in your home seem to sag. This is another crawl space problem you need to repair right away. Uneven floors can occur if something goes wrong with the beam in the crawl space.
Never sacrifice the structure of your home. Instead, contact The Crack Guys for floor support repairs. By taking care of all crawl space-related problems right away, you protect the rest of your home.
