Humidity Issues in a Crawl Space
A damp or wet crawl space that leads to an excessive amount of humidity can cause a number of problems throughout your home. Musty air from a humid crawl space can carry mold spores as well as moisture that can damage your house's floor framing system. Does this Spark an idea?
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Health Issues
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Mold allergens from a humid crawl space can move into the living spaces of the home. This can cause respiratory problems for people with allergies or asthma. It can also lead to mold throughout the home, as well as mildew and musty smells.
Pests and Structural Issues
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Humidity in the crawl space can cause an overly humid home, which can lead to an infestation of dust mites. Silverfish, centipedes and termites can also thrive in a humid crawl space. Moisture and mold in the crawl space can lead to structural damage in the building, such as wood rot.
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Solutions
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Correct any drainage problems. Grade any soil on a slope that drains water away from the outside of the house. Repair any plumbing leaks. Install a ground cover to reduce moisture entry from the soil. Coat foundation walls with moistureproof insulation.
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References
- Photo Credit building a basement 3 image by Kostyantyn Ivanyshen from Fotolia.com
