Why Is My Crawl Space Moldy?

Many people do not think much about the crawl space beneath their home until it is having problems. You may notice that your home smells musty, there is mold growth throughout the home, or that your hardwood floors are wavy. Other signs of crawl space issues include heightened allergies and asthma while at home, and humidity throughout the home. These are common signs that there is a moisture issue in the crawl space. 

Crawl spaces were made in a way that promotes mold growth. This happens because the vents that are supposed to allow airflow in the crawl space to keep it dry do that exact opposite. Crawl space vents allow unconditioned air to come in the crawl space, causing humidity issues. When you add the humidity from the vents with groundwater that seeps into the crawl space, you are left with a dark, moist area under the home. This is the perfect condition for mold growth.

The biggest problem is that the mold in a crawl space does not stay there. As air rises from the crawl space into the home through the Stack Effect (pictured below), it brings the mold with it. In fact, 40%-50% of the air in your crawl space comes into your home. It also brings crawl space odors and moisture with it, leading to a stinky and humid home. The good news is that we have a solution.

Our crawl space encapsulation system involves closing off all outside air to the crawl space, installing drainage matting, a SmartSump sump pump, SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier, and a CleanSpace vapor barrier. This protects the crawl space, and therefore the entire home, from moisture issues. We have helped many homeowners find solutions to their pier and beam homes that have increased the value of their home and made their homes much healthier and more comfortable.

If you would like to learn more about our crawl space encapsulation system, explore our website. If you would like to schedule a free crawl space inspection and estimate with one of our System Designs Specialists, call 1-888-756-5967.