Crawl Space Common Problems? 6 Reasons For Your Crawl Space Woes
Common crawl space problems include standing water, mold or mildew growth, pest infestations, open ventilation, high humidity, and rotten wood.
Most crawl space problems can be solved by encapsulating the space.
Crawl space maintenance is a DIY-friendly project, but crawl space cleaning, encapsulation, and repairs are best left to a pro.
Crawl space foundations are relatively common in America. According to a 2022 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, around 10% of single-family homes in the U.S. are built with a crawl space foundation. But while crawl spaces have numerous benefits (like flooding protection and additional storage space), they are also prone to issues affecting your home’s structural integrity. This guide explains the top six crawl space common problems you might encounter—and how to address them.
1. Standing Water
Standing water is one of the most common problems with crawl spaces. Ignoring this issue can cause significant problems like rotten wood, sagging floors, mold growth, and pest infestation. If you notice standing water in your crawl space, act quickly.
How to Fix It
Contact a local crawl space encapsulation pro to inspect the standing water and recommend the proper fix. Crawl space encapsulation seals the area between the ground and the floor, waterproofing your crawl space and preventing standing water accumulation.
2. Mold or Mildew
A musty smell coming from your crawl space signals moisture, which can affect your home’s structural integrity if left untreated. It’s also a sign that mold or mildew growth are likely culprits, which can be a health hazard for people with allergies, asthma, or similar health issues.
How to Fix It
Take proper precautions before entering the crawl space, including wearing protective clothing, a mask or respirator, and goggles. Inspect your crawl space and look for signs of excess moisture or mold growth. Take a flashlight with you so you can properly evaluate the space. If you’re uncomfortable doing this task yourself, schedule a professional crawl space inspection.
3. Pest Infestations
A crawl space is dark, sheltered, and often moist, attracting pests who want a safe place to call home. And if they’re under your home and you can’t see them, they're easy to overlook. But untreated pest infestations in crawl spaces lead to a build-up of pest waste—and those pests will eventually make their way into your home in search of food.
How to Fix It
First, call a pest control expert for a full evaluation of the infestation. Pest control costs $110 to $260 or an average of $170. Once the pests have been dealt with, schedule a crawl space encapsulation to prevent future issues.
4. Open Ventilation
A crawl space with open ventilation is likelier to have standing water and pest infestations than a sealed crawl space. Also, open ventilation allows humid outdoor air to enter, which can influence your home’s temperature and the efficiency of your HVAC system.
How to Fix It
Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing all vents, doors, and other openings that allow humid outdoor air into the area. Expect to pay between $5,000 and $15,000 in crawl space encapsulation costs. Although this price is relatively high, encapsulation can prevent costly structural issues.
5. High Humidity
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the ideal indoor humidity level is between 30% and 50%. If your crawl space is too humid, it can increase the humidity in the house and cause moisture-related problems.
How to Fix It
Installing a dehumidifier in the crawl space can decrease the humidity level. A whole-house dehumidifier costs $1,300 to $2,800, or you can install a crawl space unit for $800 to $2,000. Dehumidifier installation is best left to a professional team because it involves working with the electrical and HVAC systems.
6. Rotten Wood Framing or Joists
Failure to treat moisture issues in your crawl space can lead to structural problems such as rotten framing or joists. Some signs include sagging or bouncy floors, a musty smell, visible decay, high humidity levels, and pest infestations. Left untreated, rotten wood in a crawl space can lead to costly foundation repairs.
How to Fix It
Schedule a crawl space inspection to determine the wood's damage level. Depending on the extent of the damage, expect to pay between $4,500 and $8,000 in crawl space repair costs. In some cases of minor wood rot, you may be able to fix the problem by sealing damaged areas yourself.
When to Call a Pro
Common crawl space problems can cause extensive damage to your home if they are left ignored. While you can clean out your crawl space or cap and seal vents yourself, more complicated jobs such as encapsulation or foundation repairs are best left to a professional.
A pro will first inspect the crawl space to determine the exact problems. Then, make recommendations regarding cleaning, encapsulation, or crawl space repairs that reflect the state of the area. Crawl space cleaning costs between $2,000 and $6,000, depending on the work involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
To determine whether your homeowners' insurance will cover crawl space repair, consider the cause of the issue. Repair may be covered if the problems were caused by an event that the insurance covers, such as vandalism or a windstorm. However, companies won't cover the repair if the issues are caused by neglect or wear and tear.
Crawl spaces are prone to issues caused by excess humidity and improper ventilation, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid buying a house with a crawl space. A home that is encapsulated and well-maintained shouldn’t have any more issues than a slab or basement home.
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