Does your crawlspace have the correct environment in the Lehigh Valley?

Did you know your crawlspace needs certain elements to function properly, mainly a proper humidity level. The humidity levels in your crawlspace should range somewhere between 30 – 50%. Cols air holds less humidity than warm air, so the moisture level is always changing.

If your crawlspace humidity level is too low, it can cause structural damage by drying out the wood.

If your home is older with windows containing broken seals, then you may have too much humidity. These broken seals can increase the humidity level, especially in a crawlspace that has a dirt floor. When water evaporates out of the dirt, and lay on the dirt floor surface which can cause water damage and mold growth promoting poor air quality and inviting serious health issues.

You should check your crawlspace every few months for water damage because it is a common problem.

What should you check for?

• If you see standing water when you open the crawlspace door, then you should call a professional water restoration company that works with crawlspaces. But where did the water come from?

• If there is a puddle of water upon entering the crawlspace, then most likely you have a broken or burst pipe. It may be from an incoming or outgoing water source. If the water smells musty, like musty wet clothes, then it’s probably incoming water that has sat too long. If the water smells sewer like, it probably outgoing water from your drains or toilet.

• Some homes have their roof attached to their crawlspace. Walls, ceilings and the wooden joists could have water damage from a roof leak, if the water finds its way down inside the wall or in an attic, and from there, travel to the crawlspace.

You can have a dryer crawlspace by utilizing some of these methods:

• Add plants to your home such as ferns and succulents to attract moisture
• Make sure your home has downspouts to carry rain water away
• Use a dehumidifier, especially in the damper summer months
• Open your windows when allowable to circulate air flow
• Have a sump pump installed if you have a lot of ground water issues to carry the water away from your property
• Have your crawlspace encapsulated by having vapor barriers added to the foundation walls and crawlspace floor.

Mold or water damage is not a welcome condition for your crawlspace. The excess moisture will cause mold growth and can lead to serious health illness. If you think you have crawlspace damage, call a qualified, professional water restoration company to come and make an assessment of the situation.