The Importance of Keeping Your Crawl Space Dry in Winter

Winter can bring a variety of unexpected problems into the home. Due to the season's cold and wet climate, rot and mold can form in many areas. The crawl space of a home is particularly vulnerable during the winter months. Keeping your crawl space dry and clean year-round is an essential aspect of maintaining your home.

What Is a Crawl Space?

Most crawl spaces are just hollow areas located underneath a house. They are usually between 1 and 3 feet high--just enough room for somebody to crawl through them.

There are a few different advantages to having a crawl space. By propping your house off of the ground, you can reduce your risk for termites. Crawl spaces also add additional space for clutter or storage that may not fit in other areas of the house.

Why Do I Need to Keep My Crawl Space Dry?

Since your crawl space exists below your house, you might assume that moisture is simply a natural and insignificant occurrence. However, excess water can cause several problems if not quickly addressed.

Moisture in crawl spaces frequently leads to rot and mold growth, both of which can attract insects and other types of pests to your house. Spores, humid air, and a particularly musty odor can all creep into your home from the crawl space if moisture is not kept out.

How Can I Keep My Crawl Space Dry?

During the summer months, crawl spaces do not usually need help staying dry. The winter and spring months can be tricky when snow and rain start to impact a home. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent a moldy crawl space.

The first step to preserving a dry crawl space involves finding the source of water. If there is an ongoing leak, repair it immediately. Without solving the original problem, trying to fix an already-soaked crawl space is futile.

Dehumidifiers can effectively help cleanup moisture. Since dehumidifiers usually have an automatic timer setting, they can frequently turn on as soon as they detect high levels of humidity in the air.

Sealing a crawl space can also cut down on trapped moisture. Closing all holes and cracks can prevent the free flow of air, helping your crawl space stay dry during winter.

For professional crawl space cleaning services, contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration.

Common Crawl Space Problems

As Long Island's premier crawl space cleaning service for the past decade, we have seen our fair share of issues. Many crawl spaces are built on dirt floors, and most homeowners tend to neglect them. When this happens several problems can occur, such as these.

Moisture

High humidity tends to be the most common problem in crawl spaces. If you do not have a vapor barrier installed, moisture from the ground can evaporate into your crawl space. Warm air from the outside also enters your crawl during the summer months, which leads to even higher humidity levels. The real problem with excess moisture is that it leads to the other problems listed below.

Pests

Many creepy crawlies are attracted to dark, humid climates. Your crawl space fits this description perfectly. An insect infestation isn't just gross, but some kinds of bugs (such as termites) can actually cause structural damage to your home.

Mold

Mold can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, and your crawl space is no exception. Mold can compromise the structural integrity of your home and make your family sick. It is believed that more than half of the air you breathe on the first floor comes from your crawl space; you don't want that air to be contaminated with mold spores.

Rotting Wood

Fungal growth eats away at wood, deteriorating it to the point where it may eventually disintegrate. You can see how mold can quickly become a serious problem if it is growing on your home's support beams. If you notice mold growing in your crawl space, call a professional service to remove it immediately.

If you live in Long Island and are experiencing any of these problems, contact the crawl space cleaning professionals at Green Pro Cleaning & Restoration. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County, and only use environmentally-friendly products to get the job done. Call us at (631) 940-8100 for a free quote.