Most people are not even aware there can be crawl space issues. But, just like a basement or any other part of your home that is exposed to the elements, there can be problems.
In fact, you may be having issues with your home that are caused by problems with your crawl space and you don’t even know it. If you are experiencing issues, check the crawl space.
6 Crawl Space Issues Homeowners Should be Aware Of
Crawl space issues can lead to bigger issues. It is a fundamental part of your foundation, and therefore needs to be looked after.
Moisture
Moisture in your crawl space is a big problem for many homeowners. Water can seep in after a storm, a spring runoff, broken pipes, or gutters that are not functioning.
This moisture can sit and pool for a long time without you even knowing it. It can seep up into the floors, walls, carpets, and give the whole house a bad smell. It can also invite bugs.
Mold and Mildew
Moisture leads to mold, mildew, bad odors, and can start to rot wood and other parts nearby. The mold can start to appear in other areas of your home, often growing without you knowing it is there.
It can make people in your homesick or agitate certain allergies. If it is there for a long time, it can cause a lot of damage to joists, beams, floors, and get up inside the home fairly quickly.
Crawl Space Issues: Sagging Floors
If the crawl space issues of moisture are not found right away, it can destroy your insulation. If the insulation isn’t working, then you are losing heat and cool air when you need it.
Once the insulation is gone, the floor gets exposed to moisture and eventually bugs, mold, and more. This can start to cause your floors to droop and sag.
Higher Humidity
Crawl space issues can lead to all that excessive moisture seeping into the house. You may notice that cupboard doors are sticking, doors and windows don’t work properly, and the wallpaper or paint may be peeling.
There also could be condensation on the windows where there wasn’t before. If it is not being caused by the weather, it could be coming from water and your crawl space issues.
Cracks in Foundation
The crawl space is needed for keeping your home balanced and even. If there is a problem, then the whole house can suffer. If the home is new and still settling, then this can add to problems.
If you notice cracks appearing above doors and windows, around the ceiling, or even loose bricks from the chimney, then check your crawl space for types of damage, water, or animals.
Material
If your crawl space is just dirt, then you may want to consider having it finished off with concrete or stones. It can help to protect your home and the soil underneath.
Poured or blocks of concrete will withstand the moisture much better and not be as inviting for rodents or bugs to set up home in your crawl space. If you do have a finished crawl space, it might be time to have it repaired or replaced.
Crawl Space Issues
Crawl space repair is not something you want to take on yourself. Call us here at KC Pier for more information or to schedule an appointment. Crawl space foundation problems in Kansas City homes are largely caused by soil and weather and you’ll want to guard against these.