If you experienced the heavy rain that hit Virginia in the past few days, you might have also noticed that you have musty smells in the home. Perhaps your allergies are acting up. Did you know that it could be a damp, musty crawlspace causing the issue? Much of the air that circulates in your home passes through the crawlspace before going back up through the home. If you’re experiencing this, it might be time to take a closer look at your crawlspace. Let’s explore some of the possible solutions for a damp crawlspace.
#1: Find the Source of the Problem
One of the first things that we do during an estimate is look for the source of the problem. While DIY “fixes” might temporarily solve the issue, a real fix will address not only the immediate problem of the leak but get to the “why” behind it. For example, if you notice that water is pooling in the crawlspace, there may be an issue with the grading of the land. If we tried to fix the issue without first resolving that problem, we would merely be covering it up. Possible solutions can include foundation repair as these are often the cause of waterproofing problems in the crawlspace.
#2: Vapor Barriers
If your crawlspace is unfinished, we want to get it finished to keep moisture out and get rid of your water problems. A vapor barrier is one great way to finish a crawlspace. This vapor barrier lines your crawl space and provides a clean storage environment while reducing energy costs and protecting it against moisture, mold, radon and unwanted pests. It is 10-mil to 16-mil thick and is puncture resistant, as opposed to ones you can buy at the home improvement big box store which are only 6mil thick and not puncture resistant. It is manufactured using a triple-ply woven high-density polyethylene membrane and has the highest strength to weight ratio and highest tensile strength and tear resistance of any product on the market. Protect your crawlspace from moisture and save yourself money on energy bills as a bonus.
#3: Sump Pumps
When you have a finished crawlspace and you’ve exhausted all other options and keep seeing water, it’s time to invest in a sump pump. A sump pump gives you the peace of mind that if water does get into your crawlspace, you’ll still be protected. Water will drain from the crawlspace into the sump pump which will direct it outside and away from the home. A battery backup sump pump is an invaluable investment as well, as you will never have to worry about the power going out and making your sump pump unable to do its job.
Need Help with a Damp Crawlspace?
Call the professionals at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry. We are happy to come out and give you an estimate for your damp crawlspace. We’ll give you an idea of the problem, our timeline, and an idea of the possible costs involved in the process. Contact us today for more information or to get your estimate scheduled.