Is your crawl space susceptible to moisture this summer?

Many homes in the Carolinas have a crawl space built into them.  This crawl space is there for mostly utility purposes.  It acts as a way to access the substructures of our homes.  This allows for easier maintenance if an electrician, plumber, or other service provider needs to access this space.  Crawl spaces can also act as storage for homeowners for larger rarely used items.  While these spots in our house serve a great purpose, they can also be susceptible to a big problem – moisture!  So how do you know if your crawl space is susceptible to moisture this summer?  We have some DIY tips and tricks to take things into your own hands.

One way moisture can enter a crawlspace and something to keep an eye on as a homeowner is dampness in the ground around your home.  Soil around the home can retain moisture and that moisture can seep into a crawlspace.  After heavy rain, make sure to check out the perimeter of your home to make sure moisture is drying up, not lingering, and not seeping in through the foundation.  Another culprit of moisture in your crawlspace this summer can be drainage leaks or plumbing issues.  This means a pipe isn’t functioning properly and is leaking into your crawl space.  To keep track of this you can monitor the crawl space itself or have a plumber take a look if you are suspicious you have a problem.  Lastly, increased humidity can form in a crawl space caused by air entering through vents.  In the summer months the humidity in our area can be stifling and that air can enter and cause moisture very easily.  A dehumidifier is a great way to help reduce this problem and getting your crawl space checked for it’s humidity level can aid in diagnosing if you have a problem.

So now that you have some tools to identify if your crawl space is susceptible to moisture, what can you do as a homeowner to fix issues you may find?  Some of the moisture issues can be tackled by the homeowner themselves, by ensuring proper drainage, proper pipe function and by keeping an eye on the crawl space and any possible problems with seeping from your foundation.  Some issues are better handled by a professional though, such as plumbing problems, dehumidifier installation, and should you choose to add a vapor barrier or encapsulate your crawl space.  Check out Noosa’s blog “Do I need a sealed crawl space?” to see if this service is a good fit for your home.