4 Signs Your Crawlspace Needs Attention

Most people pretty much ignore their crawlspaces.  It’s not somewhere people tend to think of often and if they do, it’s usually about spraying for pests or changing a furnace filter.  Crawlspaces are breeding grounds for all sorts of things that impact our lives, though.  Here are 4 signs that your Indiana crawlspace needs attention and we won’t even make you crawl inside to investigate!

1. Odors or “Musty” smells in the home.  Odors, especially that hard to track down “musty” smell, are probably the most readily     identifiable crawlspace problem that you’ll notice.  You’ve been out at work all day and you walk into your house and immediately think “What is that smell?” 

That smell is a signal that you’re experiencing mold or fungal growth in the crawlspace.  If your furnace is in the crawlspace, it’s especially important to get someone out to check for mold right away.  Your furnace will suck in that moldy air and disperse it throughout the rest of your home, which can make for mold problems throughout the living space.

2.  Uneven Floors on the main level.  Uneven floors are the byproduct of foundation problems like warped subfloor joists, or failed support posts.  It is common for homes in Indiana and Kentucky to have wooden subfloor joists supported by stacks of cinder blocks. 

Over time, the cinder blocks can settle, the joists can warp, and the blocks can crack and fail completely.  This creates uneven floors, or ones that bounce, or feel spongy. 

3.  Elevated indoor humidity.  Outdoor humidity is just a fact of life, but indoor humidity levels can make for an uncomfortable living environment.  No one likes to imagine their clothes hamper is breeding mold, or that the shower curtain is going to grow fungus.  That’s why we employ cooling techniques that remove the excess humidity from the air in our homes. 

When you notice spikes in your indoor humidity, it’s important to check that crawlspace for flooding or increased groundwater intrusion along the walls.  A wet crawlspace will make your HVAC system work harder, be more prone to breaking, and will ultimately hit your pocketbook hard. 

4. Heightened allergies or asthma symptoms.  Heightened allergies and some seasonal breathing problems are just what spring and summer are about, right?  Not necessarily. 

Mold and fungus in your crawlspace are forced throughout your home and everyone has a reaction to mold.  If you’re noticing that your allergy or asthma symptoms don’t get better when you go inside your home, or if you notice that your symptoms get worse when you come back home after being out, then it’s time to get your crawlspace checked.