Do you have any of these Crawl Space Problems?
Does your crawl space have any of these problems?
Take a look at this graphic of a typical crawl space. Look familiar? If you will notice, there are 21 things that we have marked that can negatively affect your crawl space, and in return your home.
Do you have any of these crawl space problems? If your answer is yes, Dry Seal offers free inspections, free advice, and we can work with almost any type of budget. We care that much about your family’s safety.
1. Exterior Wall
The exterior walls of your crawl space are what you can see from the outside of your home. These walls are right up against the soil. They may not show much damage from the outside, other than your typical mud and dirt stayining, but on the inside they may have mold or efflorescence growing on them, making your home an unsafe place to live. You have nothing to lose but having your crawl space inspected. Give us a call. It’s free.
2. Interior Wall
The interior wall or the drywall panels that lays over the crawl space, can be effected by crawl space moisture, causing the panels to warp and rot. Humidity can also be a contributing factor and cause dangerous mold growth on the walls.
3. Gutter Downspout
4. Backfill
Backfill is what the builder of your home dug out and then put back in. If the backfill around your home wasn’t put back correctly, you can have problems with soil erosion caused by excessive moisture. The moisture in the ground around your home will eventually make its way into the crawl space and cause damage to the structure.
5. Efflorescence
Efflorescence is the white chalky and flaky substance that grows on the inside walls of your crawl space if moisture is present. The moisture can be coming from the ground water seeping through the exterior walls.
6. Footing
The footing is the base of your crawl space, which helps in supporting the load of your home. Moisture from the ground can cause serious damage to the structural integrity of your entire home.
7. Wall Joint
The wall joint is where the crawl space footing and crawl space walls meet. Excessive moisture and humidity can easily weaken the wall joint, also compromising the structural integrity of your home.
8. Humidity
Humidity is measured by the amount of moisture in the air. When your crawl space is vented and not properly sealed off from water, the level of humidity will be very high in your crawl space. This moisture facilitates the growth of dangerous mold and mildew, which also weakens the wooden structures beneath your home. If you suspect a humidity issue in your crawl space, Dry Seal can help. Repairing crawl space problems is what we do!
9. Floor Joist
The floor joist and crawl space ceiling is just below the first floor of your home. Whenever moisture and high levels of humidity are present, the floor joist becomes weak and fragile. You will notice the floor starting to sag when there is a problem in your crawl space.
10. Insulation
It is no longer a surprise that some builders use inferior quality insulating materials inside the crawl space when it was being built. (See asbestos insulation issues here) Proper insulation is important in providing a comfortable environment inside your home and a safer environment inside your crawl space.
11. Insects & Rodents
12. Girder
13. Pier
14. Pier Footing
15. Moisture and Standing Water
When your crawl space is not completely sealed off from the outside environment, moisture will get in, causing serious damage to all wooden structures, support beams, joints, footings, etc. Moisture and Standing Water will also lead to the growth of mold, which will make your family sick, as well as attract unwanted pests like mosquitoes and termites. (visit Bug Busters for pest control).
16. Mold and Fungus
Mold grows where ever there is moisture, high levels of humidity, and organic materials are present, which can all be found in an unsealed crawl space.