7 Tell-Tale Signs Your Home May Need Crawl Space Repair

Water damage is the fourth most costly and the second most common cause of home insurance claims. The average home water damage claim costs insurers nearly $11,000 and, in 2018, over 23% of home insurance claims were due to water damage.

Luckily, preventing water damage in your home is easier than you think. All you have to do is watch for the signs and symptoms of crawl space damage and call for a crawl space repair the moment you see them.

If you’re a new homeowner, though, you may not know what to look for. That’s why we’re bringing you this guide to the top seven signs that you need a professional’s help.

Ready to learn more about maintaining your crawl space? Then you’ve got to keep reading. Plus, stick around to find when and who to call when it’s time to speak to the experts.

1. Moisture

The most obvious sign of a crawl space in need of repair is moisture. Water from a broken pipeline or a storm can collect in your home’s crawl space. And this can wreak havoc on your home and your health.

Eliminating current moisture and preventing it in the future is critical after a leak or bad weather. Leave the crawl space cleanup and waterproofing to a professional and call for a repair if you notice moisture in your crawl space.

2. Indoor Humidity

Has it been feeling more humid than normal in your home lately? This is often a sign that there’s standing water in your crawl space. As the water beneath your home attempts to evaporate, it increases the amount of water vapor in the air.

You’ll know it’s time to call a repair company if it’s more humid inside your home than it is outside. And don’t wait too long. Indoor humidity can lead to further complications like condensation buildup.

3. Condensation

An increase in humidity often comes with condensation. The water vapor in the air has to go somewhere. Usually, that means water droplets will start to collect on surfaces inside your home.

Condensation wreaks havoc on everything from your insulation to your floor joists. To avoid expensive foundation and floor repairs, call a professional the second you discover condensation in your home.

4. Higher Energy Bills

You may be surprised to learn that crawl space disrepair can come with higher energy bills. This is for two reasons: the higher humidity inside your home and the decay of insulation in your crawlspace.

Higher humidity means your air conditioning unit has to work harder to cool the air. The harder your HVAC system has to work, the higher your energy bills.

At the same time, decayed crawlspace insulation allows hot and cold air to escape through the floors. Your HVAC system will have to make up for the leakage, which will ultimately lead to a higher energy bill.

5. Smells

What’s that strange smell around your home? It could be a sign of a crawl space that’s in disrepair.

If moisture builds up beneath your home for too long, the condensation will lead to mold and mildew. This is most commonly the culprit of a musty smell that arises from your floors.

Faulty crawl spaces can also become home to unwanted critters. Gaps and cracks in your crawl space are the perfect spot for animals to crawl into. If they get trapped under your home and die, you’re stuck with the smell of rot unless you call an expert.

6. Floor Rot

Wood is susceptible to rot the longer it’s exposed to moisture. That’s why buckling, uneven, or bouncy floors are often a sign that something’s wrong with your crawl space.

New wood floors can cost you over $25 per square foot. To avoid having to replace your hardwood, call a professional repairer if you notice signs of floor rot.

7. Foundation Issue

Moisture-filled crawl spaces are often to blame for foundation issues. That’s why, if you see foundation issues in your home, it could be a sign that problems with your crawl space are affected the integrity of your home’s structure.

Foundation cracks, sticking doors, and counters or cabinets separating from the wall are all symptoms of a faulty foundation. If you run into one or more of these signs in your home, it’s past time you called for a repair.

How Long Can You Wait for a Crawl Space Repair?

By now, you may be wondering: how long can I wait to get my crawl space repaired after finding signs of damage?

Your home is a big investment. The last thing you want is to wait too long only for your crawl space issues to start impacting your foundation or worse.

Plus, waiting around for a repair can impact you and your’s family’s health. If mold builds up beneath your home, mold spores can become airborne. These particles can get into your airways, causing a host of unpleasant symptoms.

For these two reasons and more, we recommend calling Sedona Waterproofing as soon as you discover crawl space issues in your home.

Let Sedona Waterproofing Protect Your Foundation

Signs of crawl space disrepair include moisture buildup, humidity inside your home, and higher energy bills. By the time foul smells, floor rot, and foundation issues arise, it may be too late to save your crawl space without costly repairs.

Need a crawl space repair before moisture buildup impacts your health and the health of your home? Call Sedona Waterproofing Solutions today to get a free estimate for your crawl space repair.