3 Ways Your Crawlspace is Negatively Affecting Your Home

Most homeowners don’t go into their crawlspaces. We understand- it is usually nasty in there! Did you know that space could be affecting the rest of your home? 

Here are three ways your crawl space can be negatively affecting your home.

1. Mold is very common in crawl spaces and has become prevalent in the recent years. 

   

   • Mold has a purpose, its purpose is to break down and eat dead organic matter. If a material is organic, dead, and wet, mold knows to eat it. Organic material is anything in a home that was once living, like wood. 

   • Mold sends out spores everywhere, and it can lie dormant for years. Mold is able to grow in materials such as furniture, boxes, clothes, and more, which we cannot control. The only factor we can control is the moisture in our homes to prevent more mold from growing and spreading. 

   • Mold is dangerous to you, your family, and your pets health. The higher the concentration of mold spores in your home, the higher the probability that someone in your home will be bothered by them. Studies show that prolonged exposure to mold can actually cause asthma. 

2. Dust mites and other critters love your dirt crawlspace.

   

   • The number one allergen that people with asthma and allergies react to is dust mite droppings. 

   • Dust mites need over 50% relative humidity to live. They love dirt crawl spaces because of the difficulty to keep your home dry with a crawl space underneath it.

   • Other pests love the moisture in the crawlspace as well, like termites, and spiders!

   • Mice, rats, snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and all kinds of other creatures love crawl spaces and will camp out there for extended periods of time.

3. Water damage from crawl space leaks. Not all crawls spaces leak, but some do. 

   

   • Most crawl spaces have a “low” spot, or several areas that are lower than the rest. These are the areas where water may pool up in the rainy weather.

   • This can lead to damage to your home, more mold, musty smells, and more concerning issues!

What can we do to help?

You can call us for a free home energy evaluation by clicking here to have us come out to your home to take a look at your crawlspace! We can provide you with the solutions to conquer all of the issues listed above, make your home more comfortable, save you money, and live energy efficiently!