Are You Breathing Moldy Crawl Space Air Without Realizing It?
Some of the air in your home’s crawl space flows into your home’s living area via the “stack effect.”
If your crawl space is full of mold, the air in the crawl space can contain mold spores, which can spread to the air in your home’s living area. Air with mold spores and other allergens can contribute to allergic reactions and serious respiratory problems for anyone living in the home.
What Does a Crawl Space Dehumidifier Do?
A crawl space dehumidifier installed in an encapsulated crawl space can help prevent the humidity level from going over 50%. This helps prevent water damage and the formation of mold in a crawl space.
Breathe Clean, Mold-Free Air With A Crawl Space Dehumidifier
A crawl space dehumidifier helps maintain low humidity in the crawl space, allowing clean, dry air to enter your home’s living area. A dehumidifier can help support better indoor air quality and a healthier environment for your family.
Sources Of Crawl Space Moisture
The most common sources of crawl space moisture include the following:
- Open vents that allow warm, humid air to enter the crawl space and condense on cooler surfaces - At one time, vents were considered a way to keep a crawl space dry. Today, vented crawl spaces are often recognized as a source of excess moisture and potential water damage.
- Condensation around ductwork
- Plumbing leaks
- Moisture from the crawl space’s dirt floor
- Excess moisture in the soil around the home’s foundation
- High groundwater level
Why You Don’t Want A Humid Crawl Space
A damp, humid crawl space creates the perfect environment for mold, wood rot, and pest infestations. It can affect you and your family’s health and cause damage to the wooden structures supporting your home.
Moisture damage can lead to rotten support piers. Since crawl space support piers and other components help maintain your home’s structural integrity, keeping the area dry is important.
A humid crawl space can also affect energy efficiency because damp air is harder to heat and cool. While we can’t guarantee it, customers have reported that their energy costs were reduced after encapsulating their crawl space and installing a dehumidifier.
Signs You Might Need a Crawl Space Dehumidifier
Common signs you might need a crawl space dehumidifier include:
Your Home Has a Musty Smell
Musty odors in your living area could mean there is mold in your crawl space.
The Humidity Inside Your Home Is Higher Than It Should Be
Since humid air costs more to heat and cool, you may notice increased utility costs when your home is experiencing moisture problems.
There’s Visible Wood Rot in the Crawl Space
Wood rot can be caused by moisture exposure.
You’re Having Pest Problems in Your Home
Pests such as rodents and termites are attracted to damp crawl spaces with high humidity levels.
There’s Rust on Metal Structures in the Crawl Space
Rust can be a sign that moisture levels in the crawl space are too high.
Your Floors Feel Spongy When You Walk On Them
While this is not always caused by a humid crawl space, it can indicate that something is wrong with your support piers.
There’s Condensation in Your Home
Condensation can indicate that your home has crawl space humidity problems or general humidity control issues that need to be addressed.
You See Mold On The Baseboards Or Floor Above The Crawl Space
Visible mold can be a strong indication that mold growth is occurring in the crawl space below.
The Home’s Residents Suffer From Allergies or Respiratory Problems
Poor air quality can impact the air entering your home. Never enter your home’s crawl space without wearing protective clothing and a respirator.
AMC911’s Most Common Crawl Space Solution: Crawl Space Encapsulation Plus A Dehumidifier
If you want a safe, clean, dry crawl space, a crawl space encapsulation system with a crawl space dehumidifier is a quality solution for many homes.
Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing the vents, insulating the walls, and covering the floor and walls of the crawl space with a thick vapor-retarding barrier.
A dehumidifier is then added to provide ongoing moisture control and maintain a healthy humidity level. A crawl space that has been encapsulated and includes a dehumidifier is a great place to store items like tools and holiday decorations.
Contact AMC911 Today For A Free Crawl Space Evaluation
If you’re worried about moisture in the crawl space of your Hampton Roads home, contact AMC911 today to schedule a free crawl space evaluation.
AMC911 is a locally operated, family-owned company serving homeowners throughout Hampton Roads and the surrounding areas since 1993, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Newport News. Since 1993, our team has provided crawl space repair solutions, crawl space encapsulation, and waterproofing solutions. Don’t wait to contact one of our professionals – schedule a free inspection today!
