The #1 Enemy of your Crawl Space is ...

How can I have mold in my crawl space? I know I don't have a water problem down there. 

This is a common response from homeowners when told that they have a mold problem. Visible standing water is one obvious sign of wet crawl space. But the most common enemy of the crawl space is less visible and less obvious: High Humidity. 

High humidity causes significant problems in your crawl space.
90% (pictured here) is extremely high.

If you live in the South and you have a crawl space, you need to be aware of the humidity situation in your crawl space. Humid outdoor air, poor air circulation, and the presence of other water sources often create an environment in which the humidity in the crawl space is higher than the humidity outdoors!

Our rule of thumb is that you want your humidity level to be below 60%. High humidity levels can cause the following:

• Elevated Wood Moisture Levels: levels above 16% can lead to mold growth, wood rot, and structural damage.
• Mold Growth: Mold thrives in humid environments.
• Insulation Failure: Insulation absorbs moisture like a sponge. Wet insulation decreases in R value and eventually becomes so weighted down with excess water that it falls to the floor.
• Pest Activity: Like mold, rodents and insects enjoy dark, humid environments.

  

  High humidity leads to high wood moisture levels.
  This wood is at 17% and has visible fungal growth.

• Poor Indoor Air Quality: 40%-50% of the air you breathe on your first floor originates in your crawl space. 
• Musty Smells: If you aren't sure what that smell is, there's a good chance it is coming from your crawl space. 

The good news is that humidity in your crawl space can be controlled! Visit our website to learn more about solution options or to schedule a free inspection from our experts.