Crawl spaces may have diverse issues depending on how they are designed. Crawl spaces are the damp and dark spaces that do not have sufficient air circulation and can be very dirty if they are not attended to in a long time. Moisture is one chronic issue you need to address to make your crawl spaces healthy.

Primarily there are three moisture sources in your crawl space which include damp ground, humidity and flooding. These factors may cause a lot of mayhem to homeowners. Among the rampant and common effects of crawl space moisture are foundation damage and mold growth. That is the reason why crawl space moisture control is essential to avoid property damage or even health related complications.

Sources of Moisture in Your Crawl Space

For you to regulate moisture in your crawl space, you have to work on the source of the moisture first. Otherwise you risk ruining your home or incurring unnecessary crawl space repair expenses. So, at any time you notice moisture in the crawl space, act fast or talk to a professional for help. Luckily all the three sources of moisture have a way in which they can be mitigated and you won’t see the issue any more.

Flooding

Immediate attention is needed when the crawl space has water as moisture will always be present. When you notice flooding in the crawl space look for professionals with sump pumps to take out the water and regulate the crawl’s space moisture.

Humidity

A rise in humidity means more moisture in the crawl space. All you need for the humidity issue is to install a dehumidifier to regulate the humidity.

Damp Ground

Usually, damp ground will release vapor in the atmosphere around the crawl space. That results to moisture at the area as time goes by. The wood may start to rot even without any visible standing water. Technically you cannot be able to remove moisture from the ground so only encapsulation and vapor barriers can help you out here.

Methods Used in Crawl Space Moisture Control

Normally, the condition of the crawl space dictates the type of treatment to use. There are four main ways via which you can control moisture around the crawl space.

1. Sump Pumps/ French Drains

These pumps will regulate the amount of water in the crawl area. They will prevent any flooding in this region at any time excess water gets there. With no water in the crawl space you are sure the foundation is safe from any damages.

2. Dehumidifiers

Outside humidity causes moisture to settle on your crawl spaces which will necessitate crawl space repair due to damages made. You need a dehumidifier to ensure the air around that region is dry. For the dehumidifier to work perfectly, you have to make sure the crawl space is clear, properly sealed and cleaned.

3. Encapsulation

Sealing the crawling space gives you full control of the humidity in that region. With this hack, a humidifier will come in handy to regulate the conditions in the crawl area. Ensure before encapsulation, there is no flooding water in the crawl space.

4. Crawl Space Moisture Barrier

An exposed damp ground produces vapor that can be dangerous to the crawl space area. You could use crawl space moisture barrier such as polyethylene sheeting to seal the region and prevent excess moisture from entry.

Final Thoughts

Crawl space moisture control does not have to be daunting any more. Use this guide to prevent moisture accumulation in the crawl space and ensure you clean it regularly. Apply the mitigation methods above to get rid of water and excess moisture in the region for a healthy home and to avoid damages.