Most people don’t often think about their crawl space and so problems in that part of the house can go unnoticed. However, if water gets into your crawl space, the repercussions can affect your entire house. Water in your crawl space can weaken your floor joists and create sagging floors; and mold and mildew growth is highly likely.
However, since there is not enough overhead space to allow walking, most homeowners don’t feel comfortable entering this space. So how can you tell if you need crawl space repair?
Common Signs that Your Crawl Space is in Need of Repair
1. Sloped or Sagging Floors
- Floors that sag or are uneven indicate there is a problem with your floor joists. They are also a sign of potential foundation damage. Water can rot the beams underneath your home, weakening your foundation and causing floors to sag. The water in your crawl space could be the source of the damage to the structure of your home.
2. High Indoor Humidity Levels
- When moisture builds up in your crawl space, it can cause humidity levels in your home to be unusually high. You might see condensation build up inside your windows or on the outside of metal appliances.
- It can also increase allergy-like symptoms and cause paint to peel from the walls.
3. Unusual Musty Odors
- If your crawl space smells musty, it is highly likely that moisture is present. You should have it inspected if the problem seems to linger or get worse over time.
4. Increased Electric Bills
- If your electric bill has suddenly increased, it could be due to excessive amounts of outside air or high humidity levels inside your crawl space. High humidity will force your HVAC to run more than it should.
- Poor insulation inside your crawl space could also cause your heating and cooling system to overwork.
5. Standing Water
- If you see standing water inside your crawl space you definitely need crawl space repair. You will need a professional to identify the cause of your standing water to eliminate the problem and prevent future damage. You may also need a crawl space liner installed.
6. Mold and Mildew
- Mold and mildew can easily grow wherever there is standing water. The mold can circulate through your entire home causing allergies and breathing disorders.
- You should never attempt to remove mold yourself, because you can potentially spread the mold spores and cause more harm than good.
If any of these signs seem to ring true in your home,contact Dry Basement® Foundation Repair. We offer crawl space repair, basement waterproofing, and foundation repair in Kansas City, Wichita, Des Moines, and Columbia and can solve your crawl space problems. The sooner you seek professional help the less damage will occur.