Crawl space condensation may not be something you think about often, but it has ramifications throughout your home. The condition of your crawl space affects a lot of things from the foundation and structural integrity of your home to the health and wellness of your family.
Plus, did you know that excessive moisture and condensation in your crawl space might be costing you hundreds of dollars every year? The truth is crawl space condensation is one of the leading causes of foundation damage and deserves much more attention than most realize.
Much like almost all other parts of the country, many people experience problems with condensation in their crawl spaces in Grand Junction, Colorado. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to identify condensation issues and understand why it happens or how to prevent them. As a result, the damage exacerbates, ultimately leading to costly repairs and replacements.
Read on to see if you are experiencing crawl space condensation and how it may be affecting you and your home.
How To Identify Crawl Space Condensation Issues
The crawl space is a hollow space between the ground level and the first floor of your home. It is usually about one to three feet tall and raises your house off the ground. It also conceals all of your home’s pipes.
Because it’s not designed to be seen, crawl space foundation problems, such as condensation, often go unnoticed for a long time. By the time these issues are discovered, it’s already too late and considerable damage to the foundation has been done. This makes it essential to identify crawl space condensation issues as early on as possible.
Moisture in your crawl space is the first indicator of a much greater problem on the way: warped floor tiles, uneven flooring, and rotting floor supports. Water vapor creeping up from the ground and into the hollow crawl space can produce condensation, which can damage floor joists and walls.
Your crawl space may have space vents to evacuate moisture, however, these vents are often ineffective. Instead of taking the moisture out, they allow the outside air to flow in. During the winter, cold, damp air may congeal while moist air becomes trapped in your crawl space in the summer.
For these reasons, it is essential to identify crawl space condensation issues and take measures to avoid crawl space foundation problems. Here are some of the best ways to address your crawl space condensation concerns.
Identify Warning Signs Around the House
Mold and mildew: Condensation can cause mold and mildew to grow in your house, resulting in unpleasant scents in the crawl space. The mold will feed on the water and dampness, causing it to become worse while also resulting in other damage throughout the space. Worse yet, the air in your crawl space can make its way upstairs via the stack effect or your HVAC system. If you notice mold in the upper reaches of your home, it’s still possible that the crawl space is to blame for these health hazards.
Wood rot: Observe the floor and walls carefully. If you notice signs of wood rot, it may be a sign of crawl space condensation issues. When left untreated, the condensation can penetrate all the way into your attic, causing the wood to rot throughout the home.
Standing water: If you notice a puddle or standing water in the crawl space, it may be a telltale sign of crawl space condensation issues. Perhaps there’s leaking nearby that’s leading to this puddle and will also cause condensation to form throughout your crawl space. The condensation itself may have also escalated to the point where it’s leaving full puddles throughout this space. it is advisable to call in professionals immediately as standing water can readily lead to other problems, such as expansive soil and consequently foundation heave.
High humidity: Humidity is defined as the measure of water vapor in the air. If your crawl space is dealing with condensation issues, you can be sure that the relative humidity in this area will also be high. Check indoor humidity levels in the crawl space. Typically, humidity above 60 percent is considered high. However, keep in mind that even if the humidity in your home is below 60 percent, which is the commonly regarded “safe” humidity level, it doesn’t guarantee that condensation won’t develop.
Exposed crawl space: An exposed crawl space with old or damaged encapsulation is highly susceptible to condensation. It will allow the outside weather to dictate the humidity levels in this area, but also increase the chances of flooding or water pooling, which can then lead to condensation. This is especially true during the hot and humid summer months when there is a significant temperature difference between underneath and around your home.
These warning signs apply to your crawl space as well as the rest of your house. Your crawl space and your home share up to 50 percent of their air. So whatever issues you have down there will eventually affect the rest of your house. Therefore, it is essential to identify condensation warning signs promptly and avoid foundation damage.
Handle Crawl Space Condensation Issues With Local Experts
Have you noticed any signs of crawl space condensation or crawl space foundation problems in Grand Junction, Colorado? Foundation Repair of Western Colorado (FRWC) is here to help. We develop multichannel solutions to effectively deal with the symptoms as well as the underlying causes of crawl space condensation. We also provide yearly crawl space inspections to make sure your crawl space and basement always remain in top-notch condition.
At FRWC, we know that there is no ready-made approach when it comes to managing crawl space condensation and foundation repair. Therefore, we develop tailored programs suited to the unique needs of your house. You can rely on our team of experts to prevent and reverse any damage caused by the excessive moisture and condensation in your crawl space.
Contact the FRWC team today to book a crawl space inspection or learn more about crawl space condensation causes and impact.
