Water in Crawl Space – It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
Here in the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington area, we get rain and lots of it. Our homes withstand enormous amounts of moisture all year round and do an excellent job of doing it. Most of the time, we think of rain when considering intrusive water, but another likely source of water comes from below. Groundwater and run-off water can also make it past our homes defenses and end up pooling in the crawl space.
This kind of water in crawl space intrusion is common. It happens all over the Portland Metro area (especially in areas like Beaverton, Oregon, or Battle Ground, Washington). So the question is, why is it a big deal, and what should you do about it?
Water In The Crawl Space Attracts Pests
As a pest control company in the Portland and Vancouver area, we find that water in crawl space underneath a home creates a very conducive condition for wood-destroying insects. The moisture will soften the structural wood in your crawl space and become very appealing to insects such as termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles. Combine moisture and wood-destroying pests, and you have a problem that could escalate quickly. If you find yourself in this unfortunate position, it is best to allow a Pest Control Company to handle it. Proper drainage can prevent excess water in crawl space issues before pests start to appear.
Water In The Crawl Space Can Cause Mold
We have all heard the health concerns that are related to mold and mildew growing in your home. It is just not healthy to live in an environment where this stuff is growing. Unfortunately, by the time a homeowner finds out about their moisture issues in their crawl space, a lot of time has likely already passed.
This means that all that moisture has been encouraging things to grow down there. Water in crawl space can easily lead to mold problems if not addressed quickly. Finding the mold can be the challenging part, but after that, it can be treated by sanding it down and treating it with a mold sealant to eliminate the impact of water in crawl space.
Water In The Crawl Space Can Compromise The Entire Structure
Not only can moisture problems under your home attract pests and create mold, but water in crawl space can also cause a whole host of other issues as well. This includes damages to the subfloor insulation, vapor barrier, air ducts, and even the structural components that hold your home up. Granted, it can take quite a length of time before these damages start to pile up, but why wait until then! Water in crawl space can eventually weaken your home’s foundation if left untreated. Here is what you can do about it now.
Have Your Crawl Space Inspected For Free
New Leaf Pest Control offers free inspections and estimates for homes in the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA areas. We are also one of the only pest control companies in the area that do drainage related work well. We have a whole division of our company that specializes in crawl space drainage and restoration.
So, whether you already are aware of moisture conditions under your home or you are just looking for a little peace of mind, please give us a call and set up a free inspection to solve any water in crawl space issues fast. Our experts can help you prevent water in crawl space problems before they cause serious damage. For more detailed guidance on moisture control and crawl space safety, check out the EPA’s guide on mold and moisture.