Crawl Space Repair

Crawl Space Problems

Crawl space issues, including high humidity, poor air quality, and mold and mildew growth, can negatively impact the health and safety of your home and family. Learn what to look for by browsing through common crawl space problems below.

Wood Rot

Protect your home from wood rot with Ohio Basement Authority's expert solutions, ensuring lasting stability and safety.

Mold in Crawl Space

Crawl space mold is a common issue with serious health problems if left unchecked. Contact Ohio Basement Authority for solutions.

Sagging Floors

Sagging floors indicate foundational distress. Learn what problem signs to look for and how to fix sagging floors in homes.

Crawl Space Moisture

Crawl space moisture promotes mold, pests, odors, and other issues. Ohio Basement Authority has expert solutions to dry it out.

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A vented dirt crawl space may be a building tradition, but it does your home and family more harm than good. They introduce moisture and unconditioned air, leading to crawl space problems including sagging floors, unpleasant odors, mold growth, and pest infestations. All these crawl space issues can harm your home’s structural integrity and jeopardize your family’s health and safety.

Nip these problems in the bud once and for all with high-quality crawl space repair and encapsulation from trusted local experts at Ohio Basement Authority. Get started today by scheduling your free inspection and repair estimate.

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Causes of Crawl Space Problems

Crawl space issues can happen for many reasons. Here are some of the most common causes of problems you may notice with your crawl space.

Leaking Water

When water gets into your crawl space—from the ground, porous block walls, plumbing leaks, or open vents—any leaks mean trouble for your home. Leaking, standing water in a damp and dark area is very attractive to pests, and wet fiberglass insulation is a breeding ground for mold. Water can also saturate wooden and metal supports, which leads to wood rot, rust, weakening support systems, and sagging floors.

Humidity

Paired with water intrusion, high humidity is one of the deadliest crawl space problems. If humidity is above 50 percent, the best thing you can do is run a dehumidifier to keep it in check. 

Crawl spaces commonly have high relative humidity and moisture—the ideal conditions for mold growth, especially on organic materials like wood and insulation. Due to the stack effect, crawl space moisture can also enter another part of the structure and contribute to mold growth there.

Curious to learn more about the cause of your crawl space issues?

View more causes here

Crawl Space Repair and Encapsulation Solutions

Repairing and protecting your home from the damaging effects of crawl space problems like humidity and mold is critical, but it can be difficult to navigate. That’s where our trusted crawl space repair and encapsulation solutions come in. Browse through some of them below.

Crawl Space Sump Pump

Learn how Ohio Basement Authority's crawl space sump pumps eliminate standing water and create a healthier home environment.

Crawl Space Vapor Barrier

Experience the best moisture protection and encapsulation with Ohio Basement Authority's proprietary crawl space vapor barrier.

Crawl Space Dehumidifier

Get ultimate crawl space dehumidification and moisture control with Ohio Basement Authority's AquaStop™ Crawl Space Air System.

Crawl Space Drainage

Keep your crawl space dry by installing crawl space drainage. Discover how Ohio Basement Authority can help.

How can Ohio Basement Authority fix my crawl space?

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Is Crawl Space Repair the Right Solution for Me?

While most homes throughout Ohio have a basement, some have a crawl space or a partial crawl space adjacent to a basement. These below-grade spaces are common in these areas of the Buckeye State largely due to the deeper frost line.

Traditional construction practice called for crawl spaces to be built with vents to allow for better airflow underneath the home and prevent the buildup of moisture and mold. Foundation experts have found this method to be outdated and unhealthy for homes as crawl space problems arise, including water intrusion, high humidity, mold growth, pest infestations, poor air quality, and more.

These problems are all too familiar for Ohio homeowners, and they don’t have to be. The best way to combat the negative effects of a vented dirt crawl space is with permanent basement crawl space encapsulation solutions that fortify your home and create a safer and healthier living environment.

Why is Crawl Space Repair and Encapsulation Needed?

Your home and family can benefit from crawl space repair and encapsulation with quality solutions in many ways, including:

Common Crawl Space Repair and Encapsulation Tips & Mistakes

We have many years of experience in the foundation and crawl space repair industry, and we have picked up many tips and witnessed our fair share of mistakes along the way. Here are some things to consider and avoid when dealing with crawl space repair and encapsulation.

Tips to Consider:

• Maintain Gutters and Downspouts: Interior crawl space systems are essential, but it is also important to help keep as much water and moisture away from your crawl space as possible. That’s where gutters and downspouts come in. Ensuring the gutters are clean and free of clogs and damage, that the downspouts are in good condition, and draining water away from your home are important. Add this to your home maintenance twice a year.
• Ensure Proper Landscape Grading: Similarly, a properly graded yard helps keep water away from your crawl space. Maintaining a positive grade is essential, meaning the earth slopes down and away from your home. Otherwise, a negatively graded property allows water to collect around your foundation, increasing the likelihood of crawl space problems and damage.
• Contact Trusted Professionals: Crawl spaces are both delicate and dangerous. Instead of possibly getting stuck, being exposed to mold and pests, or inadvertently causing other damage, contact experts for help if you suspect your crawl space is damaged. Our professional team is well-versed in safely inspecting crawl spaces, diagnosing problems, and recommending and implementing permanent solutions. Leave the “dirty work” and “heavy lifting” to us.

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Only Sealing Crawl Space Vents: It is critical to close off crawl space vents to prevent water intrusion, moisture, and humidity, and make it more difficult for pests to get inside. However, this is just one piece of the puzzle. This does not completely solve all the crawl space problems. Water, moisture, mold, and other issues could still be at play, requiring a more comprehensive solution.
• Investing in Minimum Protection: Similarly, just having a vapor barrier is not the only solution. The vapor barrier type used for crawl space encapsulation also matters. Building code calls for a minimum thickness of 6-mil. However, this is not enough to adequately protect your crawl space. A 6-mil vapor barrier may not fully cover the crawl space walls and floor, it can easily harbor mold and moisture, and it is quick to puncture and tear.
• Installing DIY Repairs: It can be dangerous to venture into your crawl space by yourself, and we do not recommend that you try to install potential repair solutions on your own. Getting crawl space repair and encapsulation right can be difficult, and we don’t want you to get hurt. Plus, many repairs at big box stores may be temporary at best, so continued investment and installation would be necessary.