Is My Crawl Space Causing Mold Growth In My House?

Whenever moisture gets into a crawl space, whether it is through groundwater seepage, pipes bursting, or rain coming through openings, it creates the perfect conditions for mold growth. Mold needs only moisture, temperatures above 40 °F (4 °C), and organic material to survive. Mold can grow in 24-48 hours, preferring areas with no sunlight, limited airflow, and little disruption. 

Many people believe that crawl space vents will help dry out moisture, and therefore prevent mold growth, but this is not the case. Crawl space vents actually allow unconditioned air into the crawl space, which builds humidity, causing further moisture issues. Unfortunately, whatever happens in the crawl space affects the entire home.

The "Stack Effect" (pictured below) shows how air inside of the crawl space comes up through the home. This is due to warm air rising and leaking out of a home, creating a vacuum that draws in air from beneath the home. Essentially, this means that what grows in the crawl space can come into the entire home. That is why, with an unsealed crawl space, pier and beam homes often suffer from mold growth, musty odors, and buckling hardwood floors. 

The only way to prevent these moisture issues is to entirely encapsulate the crawl space. Our crawl space encapsulation system seals off all outside air, groundwater seepage, and protects the crawl space if pipes leak or burst. By installing our SmartSump sump pump and SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier, along with our CleanSpace vapor barrier, we prevent moisture issues from taking over your crawl space and home. 

The best thing you can do for your pier and beam home is schedule a free crawl space inspection and estimate with one of our System Designs Specialists. All of our inspections and estimates are free and come with no obligations. Call 1-888-756-5967 to schedule an appointment, or explore our website for more information.