Newport News is a city in the state of Virginia. With its southwestern border running along the James River, the city offers beautiful views of the water. That water can also be a problem for homeowners with crawl spaces.
If you have crawl space problems, AMC911 can help. They have assisted many homeowners in Newport News and throughout Virginia with crawl space and foundation problems. All it takes is a call or filling out our online form to get things started.
Common Signs Of Crawl Space Problems In Newport News, VA
Recognizing the signs of crawl space problems is the first step in having the issue resolved. Here are some of the common signs that will show when crawl space problems occur.
Uneven Floors
Water and high humidity can wreak havoc on the joists under the floors, as can termites. These are common problems with crawl space issues, so sinking or uneven floors are a common sign to watch for.
High Energy Bills
The humidity in the crawl space will affect the humidity in the rest of the house. As a result, you will pay more to keep comfortable in both the summer and winter.
Wet Concrete or Masonry
Wet foundation walls or concrete slabs are a common sign that there is too much water in the surrounding soil. This can be more than a crawl space problem, it is a foundation problem.
Efflorescence on Crawl Space Walls
Moisture on the walls of the crawl space will evaporate if the humidity drops to a low enough level. The water may evaporate but the salt deposits it leaves behind are a sign that the water was there.
High Humidity Throughout Your Home
The stack effect happens in all homes with a crawl space. As warm air rises and escapes the home, it leaves a vacuum that pulls humid air out of the crawl space. The air in the crawl space then becomes the air in the living space.
Rusty Appliances
When the humidity rises in the crawl space and the home, the metal appliances in any area are likely to rust quickly. The rust will be seen first on damaged areas of the appliance, where the raw metal is exposed.
Why Your Crawl Space Problems Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Ignoring a problem will not make it go away. This is also true of any crawl space problems. When you see the signs, the best time to call AMC911 is right away.
Rodent Droppings
Unencapsulated crawl spaces are often visited by rodents. The more they are in the area, the more likely it is that you come in contact with rodent droppings. Even breathing in those droppings could result in a potentially deadly viral infection.
Mold and Mildew
Mold can grow quickly in a damp environment, and the crawl space provides it. Once you see the mold and mildew, it is already a bigger problem. You may even have mold spores in your living space, putting the health of your family at risk.
Stack Effect
When warm air rises in the home, it escapes through the ceiling to the attic and out into the open air. This leaves behind a vacuum in the home, which pulls air out of the crawl space. That is how the humid, moldy air in an unencapsulated crawl space affects the living space.
Moist Air
When the air is moist in the crawlspace, it causes moist air in the rest of the home. This can lead to many problems, including frequent colds, damaged furniture and paintings, and higher energy bills.
Foundation Failure
Crawl space problems can lead to foundation problems and the possibility of foundation failure. This is more likely when water in or around the crawl space is a problem.
Respiratory Issues
People with pre-existing respiratory issues are more likely to have problems due to crawl space problems, but they can happen to anyone. This is likely because of higher humidity and even mold spores.
Common Methods For Crawl Space Repair
It is rare that we are able to do a crawl space encapsulation without first doing some repairs. These repairs may change from one job to another but they often include the following tasks.
Water Removal
Water must be removed before the crawl space is encapsulated. After removing any standing water, a solution must be considered that will keep it from being a problem again.
Insulation Replacement
Wet insulation in a crawl space will likely grow mold within 1 or 2 days after it gets wet. That is why we must remove it and replace it with new insulation.
Drain Tile
A drain tile system is usually installed when water is a problem. It can be installed underground inside the crawl space or even around the foundation if the soil is too wet. The water is drained via gravity to a lower area, possibly a sump pit.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
After any repairs are made, we can move on to the encapsulation process. This process does not take long and once it is finished, you will have a clean, dry crawl space and a healthier home.
The primary part of the process involves sealing the crawl space, including the vents, and then wrapping the floors and walls with thick poly-sheeting. The seams are sealed to make the entire crawl space waterproof. It will even discourage rodents from entering.
Once the crawl space is sealed, we can add a dehumidifier. Doing so provides an extra layer to control the humidity and makes the crawl space the area it should be.
Free Crawl space Inspection and Estimate in Newport News, VA
Contacting AMC911 will provide you with the opportunity to get our free crawl space inspection and estimate service. You can reach us on the phone or by filling out the contact form on our website.
The inspection is the first step in making sure your crawl space is in top shape. You will know what needs to be done and exactly how AMC911 can assist.
