Symptoms of Crawl Space Water Damage

Virginia is famous for having hot summers and mild winters accompanied by yearlong humidity and a fair amount of rainfall throughout the year. The conditions in Richmond are perfect for your crawl space to experience water damage, and we recommend you keep a vigilant eye out for any water damage symptoms. Common symptoms of crawl space water damage range from poor indoor air quality to wood rot and structural damage. Let’s look at ways you can recognize this type of crawl space damage both in your living area and in your crawl space. 

Moisture is everywhere here in Richmond, Virginia, including in your crawl space. It will trickle in through the air, the pipes, and even the foundation. Most people do not spend a lot of time in their crawl space, so it’s important to know how you can recognize symptoms of crawl space water damage in you Richmond home. One of the most recognizable signs is a change in the air quality in your home. If you have noticed musty odors or unpleasant smells, this can be from mold or mildew growth, and can affect allergies and asthma symptoms. Left untreated, your family could be subjected to a number of health complications from breathing in mold spores. You might also notice your living area feels more humid, requiring higher than normal energy use to heat or cool your living space. If your home has hardwood floors, crawl space water damage might cause them to buckle. 

Poor moisture management will also be noticeable within the crawl space itself. While we recommend you rely on the professionals at Stable Foundations to do a complete inspection of your Richmond home for water damage or crawl space humidity, there are some signs you can look for without doing a full inspection. The first symptom may seem a little obvious, but many people do not realize they have standing water in their crawl space area. This is a blatant sign your crawl space needs waterproofing and/or encapsulation. If you do not have standing water in any amount, you might notice other structural damage in the form of fungus, wood rot, or deteriorating support beams. Finally, you might recognize your crawl space has water damage if there is an insect infestation or other unwanted animals have taken up residence in your humid and wet crawl space. 

If you have noticed one or more of these symptoms of crawl space water damage, contact Stable Foundations today to schedule your free inspection! Whether your Richmond home needs a crawl space inspection or restoration, we are the company to call. We will be able to restore your crawl space and your peace of mind.