In many ways, your crawl space acts as the respiratory system of your house. That’s because much of the air inside your home passes through the crawl space before it gets to you. So if mold, mildew, or other contaminants exist in your crawl space, they’ll likely exist in the air you breathe too. But a damaged crawl space can also lead to many other larger structural and foundational issues in your home, too. That’s why it’s important to get crawl space repairs as soon as possible if you notice a problem.
What Causes Crawl Space Damage?
Most problems in a crawl space are caused by excess moisture, and there are numerous ways moisture can get into your crawl space. Whether it’s leaking inside during inclement weather or evaporating through the dirt, this moisture buildup causes a host of issues. Mold and mildew are two of the easiest to spot, but it can also cause building materials to expand in size, which can lead to wall or foundation cracks. Excess moisture can quickly attract pest infestations.
If you notice excess moisture in your crawl space, it may indicate something is wrong. We strongly recommend calling a crawl space repair expert as soon as possible to evaluate the situation and let you know what your best options are – or it can lead to more significant and costly problems down the road.
What Problems Can a Damaged Crawl Space Cause?
Excess moisture may not seem like a big problem, but it can lead to big problems like:
- Structural damage: Crawl space issues can weaken the wooden supports and floor joists, compromising the structural integrity of your home. This can cause sagging floors and even collapse in extreme cases.
- Mold and mildew growth: Excess moisture in the crawl space can create a conducive environment for mold and mildew. Spores can spread throughout the house, triggering respiratory issues and allergies.
- Pest infestations: With the right conditions, your crawl space can become a breeding ground for pests like termites, ants, rodents, and other insects.
- Increased energy costs: A damaged or inadequately insulated crawl space can force your HVAC system to work harder and drive up your energy bills.
- Decreased indoor air quality: Aside from mold and mildew, there are other contaminants in a crawl space that cause the air quality in your home to deteriorate.
- Damp and musty odors: While air quality may decrease, unpleasant odors may increase, permeating your living space and making your home uncomfortable to inhabit.
- Plumbing problems: Leaking or burst pipes in the crawl space can go unnoticed if the area is not regularly inspected.
- Reduced property value: Long-term crawl space issues can tank your home’s resale value, as potential buyers will be hesitant to purchase a property with hidden problems.
Which Crawl Space Repair Services Do We Offer?
No matter what’s going on with your crawl space, the pros at ABA HVAC and Home Solutions can get it back in tip-top shape for you. We offer a variety of crawl space repair services including:
- Vapor Barrier Replacement
- Insulation Replacement
- Mold and Mildew Removal
- Crawl Space Waterproofing
- Post and Beam Replacement
- Vent Screen Repair
- Crawl Space Clean Out
- Crawl Space encapsulation
- HVAC Sealing
Schedule Your Crawl Space Inspection Today!
Don’t let moisture, pests, or structural issues compromise your living environment and property value any longer. Our crawl space repair team has what it takes to turn your crawl space into a clean and dry functioning system that supports the health of your house and everyone in it.
A safer and more comfortable home doesn’t start from the ground up – it starts below the ground, in your crawl space! So give us a call and schedule your appointment today.