Many homeowners don’t think about their crawl space until something goes wrong; whether it’s a strange smell, cold floors, or an inspection report they weren’t expecting. But knowing what a crawl space is, and how it works, is one of the best ways to protect your home long-term.
A crawl space is a narrow, unfinished space beneath your home, typically 1 to 3 feet in height, that separates the ground from the first floor. While it’s often out of sight, this area plays a vital role in your home’s structure, air quality, and energy efficiency.
Crawl spaces allow access to plumbing, HVAC, electrical wiring, and foundation walls. But more importantly, they act as a buffer between your home and the soil below. Whether your home is built on flat or sloped terrain, a crawl space can protect against moisture, flooding, and unstable ground conditions.
Crawl spaces are one of three common foundation types, alongside slab foundations and full basements. Each has its own purpose, but crawl spaces offer a middle ground, more accessible than a slab, less costly than a basement.
Unlike a slab foundation, which sits directly on the ground, a crawl space raises the home off the soil. This makes it easier to install and service plumbing, ductwork, and electrical systems. It also allows builders to adapt to sloped or uneven terrain, where a slab might not be feasible.
Compared to a full basement, a crawl space is shallower and unfinished. It isn’t intended for storage or living space, but it still affects how your home breathes, drains, and ages over time.
Crawl spaces are especially common in regions with:
They help reduce construction costs while still providing a protective buffer between the ground and your home. But unlike basements, crawl spaces are often left unsealed and exposed to moisture, making them more vulnerable to problems like mold, wood rot, and structural damage if not properly maintained.
Because crawl spaces are out of sight, they’re often out of mind. But neglecting this part of your home can lead to serious problems, many of which start quietly and worsen over time.
When a crawl space is exposed to moisture, the conditions become ideal for:
Moisture can enter through the soil, foundation walls, or vents. Once inside, it lingers, softening wood, rusting metal, and creating a perfect environment for mold to thrive. Over time, floor joists can weaken and sag, causing uneven floors or soft spots inside the home.
If your crawl space is vented or lacks a vapor barrier, it can also allow outside air, pollen, and contaminants to circulate into your home. This can strain your HVAC system and impact your health, especially if anyone in your household has allergies, asthma, or respiratory concerns.
By the time signs appear inside the living space, the crawl space has often been deteriorating for years. Early action is key.
It’s easy to think of the crawl space as separate from the rest of the home. But the reality is, air from the crawl space doesn't stay down there. This natural movement, known as the stack effect, pulls air upward from the lowest part of your home into the living areas above.
When the crawl space is dry and sealed, this airflow may go unnoticed. But if that space contains moisture, mold, or musty odors, those conditions do not stay contained. They rise into your home and affect the air your family breathes every day.
The stack effect is constant. As warm air escapes through the attic or upper floors, it creates negative pressure that draws air in from below. Any contaminants, excess humidity, or decaying materials in the crawl space can be pulled along with it. Over time, this can lead to musty smells, uneven temperatures, and higher indoor humidity levels.
For households with asthma, allergies, or respiratory sensitivities, this invisible connection becomes even more important. A neglected crawl space doesn’t just impact comfort. It can affect health. Sealing and conditioning that space helps stop the upward pull of damp, contaminated air and creates a cleaner, more stable indoor environment.
Yes, and in most cases, the sooner you act, the better.
Crawl space problems are rarely cosmetic. Moisture, mold, and structural damage tend to worsen quietly over time. But with the right solution in place, that space can be transformed from a source of risk into a point of protection for your entire home.
At ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we repair crawl spaces by addressing both the symptoms and the underlying causes. That might include sealing off the space with a vapor barrier, improving drainage, installing a dehumidifier, or reinforcing structural supports. In more advanced cases, a full crawl space encapsulation may be recommended to lock out moisture entirely.
Our Certified Foundation Specialists will inspect your crawl space in person, explain what’s happening, and walk you through your options. We do not rely on guesswork or one-size-fits-all approaches. Every recommendation is based on your home’s layout, the soil beneath it, and the specific conditions we observe during the inspection.
All of our crawl space repairs are backed by our Life-of-the-Structure Warranty, giving you peace of mind that the work is built to last.
Most homeowners don’t think about their crawl space until a problem shows up inside the home. But by that point, damage may already be spreading below the surface. Moisture doesn’t wait, and the stack effect keeps pulling that air upward every day.
If you’re starting to wonder what’s happening beneath your home, you’re not alone. A closer look at your crawl space is often the first step to protecting the structure, comfort, and air quality of your entire home.
Want to learn what solutions are available? Explore crawl space encapsulation here.
Summer brings heat, humidity, and sudden storms, and all of them can put pressure on your home’s structure. Crawl spaces and basements are especially vulnerable this time of year, and foundation issues can quietly worsen during long dry spells. If you're a homeowner in the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic, knowing how to protect your home during summer can prevent major repairs down the road.
When warm, humid air enters your crawl space, it doesn’t just feel uncomfortable; it creates the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and wood rot. That moisture condenses on cooler surfaces like ductwork, plumbing, and floor joists. Over time, this can damage your home’s structure and lead to air quality problems throughout the living space above.
If your crawl space isn’t sealed, summer is the season when you’ll feel the effects the most. A crawl space encapsulation provides a lasting solution by sealing out moisture and stabilizing the air inside. For homeowners in particularly humid areas, adding a professional-grade dehumidifier can further protect against damage.
Summer storms tend to be brief and intense, which can spell trouble for basements. When heavy rain hits, gutters and downspouts may not be able to carry water away quickly enough. The surrounding soil becomes saturated, and water begins finding its way inside through cracks, gaps, or unprotected foundation walls.
If your basement smells musty or you’ve noticed water stains, puddles, or damp walls after storms, your home may need more than just a quick cleanup. Installing a sump pump system or interior drain tile can keep water moving away from your foundation and out of your home before it becomes a larger problem.
It’s not just rain that creates risk in the summer; long dry periods can be just as damaging. When clay-rich soil dries out, it shrinks and pulls away from the foundation. That shift in support can cause sections of your foundation to settle unevenly, leading to cracks, warped door frames, and sloping floors.
These signs are often subtle at first but become worse over time. If caught early, foundation settlement can often be stabilized using helical or push piers. These systems anchor your home to solid ground below the shifting soil, preventing further movement.
A damp crawl space is an ideal habitat for pests during the summer. Rodents, insects, and other intruders are drawn to dark, humid areas, and if your crawl space is unsealed or cluttered, it becomes an easy target. Once they move in, they can damage insulation, wiring, and even structural components.
Encapsulation doesn’t just keep moisture out. It also blocks off entry points and removes the conditions that attract pests in the first place. A sealed crawl space is quieter, cleaner, and far less appealing to summer invaders.
When outdoor temperatures soar, most people shut their windows and run the AC full-time. But if the air in your crawl space or basement is full of moisture and mold spores, that air eventually ends up circulating through your home. Poor air quality isn’t always obvious, but it can trigger allergies, asthma, and fatigue, especially for families with young children or older adults.
The best defense is a combination of waterproofing and air control. Sealing the crawl space, addressing drainage issues, and using a dehumidifier help maintain healthier air throughout the house.
Don’t wait until the damage is done. ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing offers free inspections and proven solutions to keep your crawl space, basement, and foundation protected year-round. Whether you’re seeing signs of moisture, cracks, or just want peace of mind, we’re here to help.
Call today to schedule your free inspection and stay ahead of summer’s hidden threats.
When summer hits, so does the humidity. Homeowners across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic expect the air to feel a little heavier this time of year, but when that heavy feeling lingers inside your home, even with the AC running, it may be coming from somewhere else: your crawl space.
So how do you know whether it’s just seasonal humidity or a deeper moisture problem hiding below your home? The answer matters more than you might think.
Summer indeed brings higher humidity levels, but even when that’s considered “normal,” it can still cause real damage to your crawl space. Humidity above 50% may seem harmless, but over time, it can have serious effects on the structure of your home.
When moisture lingers below your floors, wood framing can start to soften or rot, insulation can break down, and mold can begin to grow on hidden surfaces. You might not see it right away, but you’ll start to feel it as musty odors move into your home or your floors begin to warp or sag.
Humidity also creates the perfect environment for pests. Termites, silverfish, and rodents are all drawn to damp areas, especially crawl spaces. Even your HVAC system isn’t safe. Condensation and rust can build up on ducts and pipes, leading to expensive repairs later on.
The bottom line: your crawl space was never designed to handle ongoing moisture, even if it’s just from humid air. Without the right protection in place, that “normal” summer humidity can quietly turn into a costly, long-term problem.
Here are some clear signs that your crawl space isn’t just humid; it’s holding on to unwanted moisture:
If you’ve noticed more than one of these issues, it’s likely not just the weather. Moisture may be entering from the ground or through open vents, and it won’t go away on its own.
Even without a major water leak or flooding, crawl spaces can collect moisture in ways that aren’t always obvious. During the summer, warm, humid air from outside enters through crawl space vents, where it meets the cooler surfaces under your home. That temperature difference causes condensation, leaving your crawl space damp day after day.
Another major source is the ground itself. If your crawl space doesn’t have a proper vapor barrier, moisture can rise up from the soil and settle inside the space. This often goes unnoticed until it starts to affect the rest of your home.
Outside the crawl space, poor drainage around your foundation can also push moisture into the area. If your yard slopes toward the house, or your gutters and downspouts aren’t moving water away properly, excess rainwater can seep through the foundation walls or floor.
The result is a crawl space that never really dries out. Even without standing water, constant dampness creates the perfect environment for mold, wood damage, and pest activity. And because that air eventually moves upward into your living space, the problem rarely stays below ground.
The most effective solution is to seal your crawl space from the inside out. Here’s what that typically includes:
Trying to fight moisture with just a store-bought dehumidifier is like using a bandage on a leak, it won’t hold for long. The only real solution is to address the source.
If your home feels damp or musty this summer, don’t ignore it. A Certified Foundation Specialist from '58 Foundations & Waterproofing can assess your crawl space, identify the cause, and recommend the right solution for long-term protection.
We’ve been helping homeowners like you protect their homes for decades and our work is backed by a trusted Life-of-the-Structure Warranty.
Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and take the first step toward a cleaner, drier, healthier home.
Crawl spaces are a critical yet often neglected part of a home. They provide access to plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems, and they contribute to the overall structural integrity of the building. However, one question that many homeowners ask is whether it’s okay for a crawl space to be damp. The short answer is no— a damp crawl space can lead to a range of problems that can affect the health of your home and its occupants. In this article, we'll explore why a damp crawl space is problematic, the potential risks associated with it, and the steps you can take to keep your crawl space dry and safe.
To understand why it’s not okay for a crawl space to be damp, it’s important to first understand how crawl spaces become damp in the first place. Here are some common reasons:
A damp crawl space is more than just an inconvenience; it can lead to a variety of serious problems that can impact both your home and your health. Below are some of the most significant risks associated with a damp crawl space:
Even if you don’t spend much time in your crawl space, there are signs that can indicate it’s too damp. Recognizing these signs early can help you address the problem before it leads to more serious issues.
If you’ve identified that your crawl space is damp, or if you want to prevent it from becoming damp in the first place, there are several steps you can take. These solutions range from simple DIY fixes to more extensive professional interventions.
While some crawl space issues can be handled by homeowners, there are situations where professional help is necessary. Consider contacting a professional if:
A damp crawl space is not something that should be ignored. While it may seem like a minor issue, the potential consequences—ranging from mold growth and structural damage to increased energy costs and health problems—are significant. By understanding the risks associated with a damp crawl space and taking proactive steps to address and prevent moisture issues, you can protect your home and your family’s well-being. Regular inspections, proper drainage, and effective moisture control measures are key to maintaining a dry, healthy crawl space. If you’re unsure about the condition of your crawl space or how to address moisture issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance.
If you are experiencing potential issues with a damp crawl space calling in a professional such as ’58 Foundations and Waterproofing that specializes in these services can help. We will provide you with a zero obligation FREE inspection to help you determine the severity of your situation and the best solutions available. Remember that putting an inspection off can lead to more costly remedies down the line.
Crawl spaces are often the most overlooked parts of a home, yet they play a crucial role in the overall health and stability of the structure. When crawl spaces become damp or wet, they can cause a host of problems, from mold growth to structural damage. Drying out your crawl space is essential to maintaining a healthy home environment and avoiding costly repairs. In this article, we’ll explore the steps to dry out a crawl space, the reasons why it might be wet, and the best practices to prevent future moisture issues.
Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand why your crawl space might be wet in the first place. Common reasons include:
The first step in drying out your crawl space is to inspect it thoroughly. You’ll want to look for standing water, signs of mold, mildew, or rot, and check for any plumbing leaks. Pay attention to the smell as well; a musty odor often indicates the presence of mold or moisture.
If you find standing water or significant mold growth, it may be necessary to call in a professional before proceeding.
If your inspection reveals standing water, it’s crucial to remove it as soon as possible. The longer water remains in your crawl space, the more damage it can cause.
After removing standing water, use fans and dehumidifiers to help dry out the remaining moisture. Running a fan for several days can help expedite the drying process.
To prevent future moisture problems, it’s essential to address the source of the water. Here’s how you can tackle the most common sources:
A vapor barrier is a crucial element in keeping your crawl space dry. It’s a thick plastic sheeting that is laid across the ground and up the walls of the crawl space to prevent moisture from the soil from entering the area.
Installing a vapor barrier can significantly reduce the amount of moisture in your crawl space, helping to prevent mold growth and protect the structural integrity of your home.
Ventilation plays a key role in controlling moisture levels in your crawl space. Traditionally, crawl spaces have been vented to allow moisture to escape. However, in some cases, sealing the crawl space entirely and conditioning it may be a better solution, especially in humid climates.
Once your crawl space is dry, it’s important to monitor the area regularly to ensure that moisture doesn’t return. Regular inspections can help you catch potential problems early before they become serious issues.
While many homeowners can handle basic crawl space drying tasks, there are times when it’s best to call in a professional. Consider seeking professional help if:
Drying out your crawl space is crucial for maintaining a healthy home environment and preventing costly damage. By following the steps outlined in this article—inspecting the area, removing standing water, addressing the moisture source, installing a vapor barrier, improving ventilation, and maintaining the space—you can ensure that your crawl space remains dry and your home stays safe. Regular monitoring and proactive maintenance are key to keeping your crawl space in top condition, but don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you encounter challenges beyond your comfort level.
If you are experiencing potential issues with a damp crawl space calling in a professional such as ’58 Foundations and Waterproofing that specializes in these services can help. We will provide you with a zero obligation FREE inspection to help you determine the severity of your situation and the best solutions available. Remember that putting an inspection off can lead to more costly remedies down the line.
There are a lot of things that we associate with winter from snow angels and skiing to the holiday season. But there are some things that we also associate with winter that we’d rather not think of, like clearing snow off our vehicles every day… or freezing pipes bursting in our crawl space. Freezing water pipes can make your plumbing useless at the least, and can result in a burst pipe at worst, leaving your crawl space wet or even flooded. The best way to prevent any wintery complications with your crawl space piping is with preparation. Let’s dive into how you can be ready for the next winter with proper water pipe crawl space insulation and other preparation methods:
Outdoor air during the winter can be blisteringly cold. Whether your pipes are outside the house or inside a leaky crawl space, you’ll want your pipes to be protected against exterior winter temperatures and that accompanying wind chill. Use materials such as pipe-wraps and form pipe sleeves to cover your pipes and protect them. By insulating your water pipes, you will help lower the chances of them freezing and/or bursting.
Any cracks or openings in your crawl space that allow for exterior air to flow in should be sealed. The cold winter air can quickly cool the air in your crawl space and freeze the water pipes within. By sealing the cracks with caulk, you can keep the cold air out while keeping the warm air in.
You should also address any air gaps around your water pipes. Gaps where the pipes exit through your exterior wall, should be addressed. Insulate those pipe gaps with expanding foam to help insulate the pipes and prevent cold outside air from freezing the water pipes. It will also prevent those outside air from coming into your crawl space to affect the water pipes within.
Along with checking for cracks and opening to the exterior, it is important to seal the rest of your crawl space to help maintain warm temperatures and to keep more of that cold air out. Consider covering your crawl space with foam pieces that can cover the walls as well as the floors. Keep those foam pieces in place with tape or another fastener, so that they stay in place.
Another solution to keeping your water pipes warm is to use heating tapes, but this should be installed by a professional expert to ensure your safety and a proper installation.
There may be times where you may think about letting the temperature drop in your house to save on the heating bills. But whether you’re doing it because you’re taking a trip, or because a certain part of the day has a different temperature, it’s better to keep your home temperatures steady. Been maintaining a consistent internal temperature, your pipes will keep flowing and there will be less chance of a temperature change causing your pipes to freeze and burst.
Now you know how to insulate your water pipes in a crawl space! But if you feel that you require help to properly insulate your water pipes and keep the cold air out of your crawl space, be sure to call for a professional to ensure that the job gets done right. Having your crawl space pipes insulated and prepped for winter will save you money and trouble in the long run, making it a worthwhile investment.
When the winter season comes to an end, melting snow will begin to soak into the soil. That can leave a lot of water and moisture to enter a leaky crawl space. But with ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing, you can have your crawl space properly encapsulated and waterproofed, ensuring that your crawl space remains safe and dry for years and years. Contact us today for a free crawl space inspection and a detailed estimate on your crawl space!
Concrete is one of the most common construction materials we use today. From our roads and pathways to towering skyscrapers, it’s present in our everyday lives. It is also what makes up our residential foundations, providing a strong and solid platform for our homes to remain stable. Concrete consists of a mix of ingredients, which together creates this strong material. One of those crucial ingredients is water. But the relationship between your concrete foundation and moisture can be complex.
Water and moisture is important to our ability to live. It is also a key component to the making of concrete. Without water, our concrete wouldn’t be able to strengthen and cure. But water can also be a destructive force of nature when poorly controlled or when in excess—whether it’s too much humidity in a crawlspace or enough rain to cause a flash flood. This can be said of our popular concrete as well. Too much moisture in your concrete can wreak havoc upon it, potentially compromising the structure that’s been built with it.
Moisture is present all around us but may be in different forms. As such, there are numerous ways that excess moisture can invade into your concrete foundation. Here are some of the common ways that moisture gets into your concrete…
Fortunately, there are ways to address each of these in a way that will keep your foundation lasting for longer and protect your home from moisture invasion. From foundation repair and basement waterproofing to encapsulation and dehumidifying, your lower level and foundation may require a different combination of solutions depending on where you live. If you’re having your concrete placed, it’s important to make sure it dries and cures properly, and that will require proper ventilation and knowledge about your climate. As Polygon states about controlling moisture in concrete, “excessive moisture is most problematic in concrete when there is a lack of climate control and air circulation”.
Even after ensuring that your concrete has dried and cured properly, it’s important to keep excess moisture at bay. The appearance of your concrete can be deceiving, so taking measures to control that moisture is key as Buildings.com points out that “a concrete surface can easily give a false impression of being dry enough despite containing moisture well above the allowable limits.” This is because excess moisture doesn’t necessarily have to be in the obvious form of water leaking down your basement wall, for example. It can also be in the form of moisture vapor seeping its way through your concrete slab.
When we think of concrete, we think it’s solid. But by nature, concrete is actually porous, which means that moisture can evaporate and move its way through capillaries within the concrete. This doesn’t seem significant, but across the surface of a foundation, that can amount to a lot of potential moisture coming from it, even if the concrete seems like it has cured and dried well. It is important to understand the moisture that exists within the surrounding soil of your foundation and to ensure that you have the proper measures in place to protect against moisture invasion.
Here are some problem scenarios that your concrete may experience due to excess moisture…
These various problems can result in costly repairs, and they will only get worse with time, so it is best to address them promptly. The sooner you act to repair them, the better. Look for signs like crackling or bubbling of your flooring surface, loose tiles, damp spots, or discolored spots and the musty smell of mildew.
While concrete is strong and is responsible for holding up everything from homes to enormous towers, it is still not invulnerable to the power of water. When excess moisture is left to build and linger within your concrete, the strength of your concrete becomes negative impacted, and it can lead to different problems. Here is how moisture causes three such problems…
While there will always be some moisture present in your concrete, there are ways to help control that moisture to keep any effects to a minimum. Here are some recommendations on what you can do inside your home to reduce concrete moisture in your foundation:
You can also take advantage of an exterior waterproofing measure to help keep outside moisture from your foundation concrete. All of these measures will not only help minimize the moisture in your concrete, but they will help increase the longevity of your foundation and prevent costly repairs that would be required from moisture-related damages.
Give us a call at (866) 485-6695 and we’ll have a specialist provide you with a free inspection and a zero-obligation price estimate!
Crawlspaces were constructed to put a barrier between the home itself, and the earth below.
Although similar to a basement, crawlspaces are vented to the outside air, and many have a dirt floor. They were built for their accessibility, and cost effectiveness.
Instead of building directly on a concrete slab foundation, the crawlspace creates a place to install an HVAC unit and the necessary water and sewer distribution for the home. They are also cost effective for the builder to create a level home without moving dirt to pour a concrete slab foundation. Creating a level lot for building a home can be costly, building a crawlspace negates this.
Although convenient and cost effective, having a vented space under your home can lead to multiple issues. Homes built over crawlspaces have the tendency to suffer from moisture related issues. This means that mold, wood rot, and termite infestations tend to come into play with a crawlspace.
Two key ways to combat crawlspace issues is installing a vapor barrier and a dehumidifier in the crawlspace. Some crawlspaces already have a thin and non sealed vapor barrier that isn’t doing the full job. When using the correct materials the crawlspace vapor barrier prevents ground moisture from entering the crawlspace air and creating moisture related issues. The vapor barrier will spot air movement from the dirt crawlspace, thus making the space a semi-conditioned area, meaning that your crawlspace will be a similar temperature to your living areas. This will also make your energy bills more efficient, instead of battling with the temperature elements from under your house. However, this is only solving part of the problem.
This is where the dehumidifier comes in. The air from your crawlspace rises into your home, which includes moisture, and potentially even mold spores. Whatever is in the air at the lowest point of your home, eventually flows up to the living areas. As stated previously, crawlspaces are vented, and are a never ending source of moisture. Once the crawlspace is sealed with a vapor barrier, the dehumidifier will suck out the remaining moisture from the air, leading to healthy air coming up through your house.
With these two solutions coupled, you will see benefits in the form of healthier air, pest protection, increased structural integrity, and saving on your energy bills.
When crawlspaces are exposed to moisture, your home’s health, your energy bills, and even your own personal health can be a target. Once moisture enters a crawlspace the problem can grow and worsen over time.. If left unattended, moisture can create a mold, wood rot, floor failure, allergy aggravation and move.
If you’d like a professional evaluation of your crawlspace contact ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing for a free crawlspace repair estimate.
Does your crawl space get wet, damp, or musty? There’s a good chance that your crawl space is experiencing moisture problems. Originally, crawl spaces were designed to separate your living space from soil moisture.
Unfortunately, the old thinking about crawl spaces and their open vents that would allow moisture to escape out was incorrect. These open vents, dirt floor and porous concrete walls only created extra access for moisture to enter. Crawl spaces became traps for water and moisture – leading to moisture-related problems. These problems can extend from the crawl space to your home. But, with the help of a crawl space vapor barrier and sealed vents, you have a protective shield against invasive moisture.
The question is, what type of vapor barrier should your crawl space be sealed with? In this post, your local crawl space encapsulation experts at ’58 will answer that for you!
There are several types of vapor barriers – which also vary in thickness. These types are generally categorized as Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 vapor barriers.
Class 1 vapor barriers measure at 0.1 perm or less, offering the highest level of moisture resistance.
Class 2 vapor barriers measure at 1.0 perm or less but greater than 0.1 perm, providing moderate resistance.
Class 3 vapor barriers measure at 10 perm or less but greater than 1.0 perm, providing the least moisture blocking.
Perm is a vapor barrier’s measurement of permanence. The lower the perm, the better the vapor barrier is at keeping moisture from getting through.
Class 1 is the best vapor barrier for crawl spaces, as it offers the highest resistance possible. Class 1 vapor barriers are especially recommended in areas with high humidity or frequent rainfall, as they deliver the greatest protection.
Moreover, the vapor barrier must be thick enough to withstand wear and tear. A torn vapor barrier in a crawl space is like not having a vapor barrier at all. So yes, the Class 1 category is usually considered the best!
However, the selection of a vapor barrier class depends on the specific conditions of your crawl space. In this respect, having an expert inspect your crawl space and make recommendations is beneficial.
Safety should always be a priority. When it comes to fire safety, focus on the classification of fire ratings. Look for a vapor barrier with a Class A fire rating. The rating shows that the barrier has undergone testing for flame resistance. This way, you can rest assured that an extra protective layer has been added, in case a fire breaks out.
Some homeowners encapsulate their crawl space with a big-box-store vapor barrier. But often, these vapor barriers are either:
1- Not thick enough and tear easily.
2- Don’t offer the proper perm rating to protect a crawl space from moisture.
Having an experienced local crawl space encapsulation contractor with you means:
1- Your crawl space will be perfectly sealed, keeping that troublesome moisture away.
2- You get vapor barriers that are thick and tough.
Such are the local crawl space encapsulation systems you can get from ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing. With us, your crawl space will be more than just safe and dry, meaning you can turn that extra space into anything you want!
Since 1958, ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been offering five-star local crawl space encapsulation services for communities in the eastern U.S., from Knoxville, TN, and Baltimore, MD to Atlanta, GA, and Spartanburg, SC. Our crawl space encapsulation system offers a comprehensive solution:
- Class A Fire-Rated for the highest level of fire safety.
- Availability of the most high-performing combo in vapor barriers i.e., 20-mil thick for the floor and 90-mil thick for the walls.
- Vent fans, specially designed to comply with the vapor barrier code requirement. This translates to proper airflow for a sealed crawl space – creating a healthier indoor environment for your home.
- Along with high-quality vapor barriers, our Energy-Star Rated HumidiGuard crawl space dehumidifier maintains your crawl space’s environment, keeping moisture down to a more optimal level.
With thousands of five-star reviews for our services, it’s easy to see why ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been in business for over 65 years! And for your added peace of mind, you get a life-of-the-structure warranty and the industry-unique money-back guarantee!
We have local offices throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whenever you need help with crawl space encapsulation, you can always count on us!
Call us or fill out this short form to schedule a free inspection and price quote! We use a fixed price sheet for every customer, so you won’t have to worry about any surprises.
It’s a part of the natural cycle of life. When trees fall and the wood dies, it needs a way to return to the earth and become soil once more: it rots away. Unfortunately, the same applies to the wood that we use to build our homes when exposed to the right conditions. Wood rot can come in two forms, wet rot and dry rot. While these two forms of wood rot have different ways of growing and spreading, they both have two things in common: they require moisture and they can compromise the strength of your home’s wooden structures.
Today, let’s take a dive into these two kinds of wood rot, how to identify it, and ultimately, what needs to be done to protect your home and get it fixed!
Wet rot refers to a species of fungus that eats wood, especially wood that is in buildings. The way that wet rot lives and grows is by using the moisture present in the wood and digesting nutrients contained in that wood. After it has consumed enough moisture and nutrients, the wet rot will begin creating and releasing spores into the air, so that those spores can land on other moist wood surfaces to begin the life cycle anew.
There are actually several species of fungus that make up wet rot, but they generally require a moisture content of about 50% for their spores to begin the process of taking root and growing.
Wet rot often happens in sites where a moisture problem has occurred and remains ongoing. Whether this is an external problem like invasive moisture coming through a foundation crack, or an interior one like leaks in your plumbing, wet rot will take advantage of it when that moisture begins soaking into nearby wood structures within your home. Here’s a list of examples of how wet rot can get the moisture it needs in your home:
There are a variety of symptoms that may signal wet rot setting into your home’s wooden structures. Here’s some of the most common signs of wet rot that you may encounter:
Different types of wood rot exhibit different signs and you may need a professional to help you accurately identify it so that the problem can be properly resolved.
There are several species of fungus that make up what’s called wet rot. In the United States, one of the most common species of wet rot fungus is cellar fungus, also known as Coniophora puteana. But these different species of wet rot fungus can be divided into two groups based on their appearance: white rot and brown rot. Let’s take a look at why:
The typical sites where wet rot occurs range from roofs and attics to cellars, crawlspaces, and basements. It can also show up in the wood of your window frames. But there are other parts of your home that wet rot could appear—if you have wooden structures that should become exposed to prolonged moisture elsewhere in the house, such as from a plumbing leak, wet rot will have a chance to appear just as well. In your crawlspace or basement, you’ll want to check the wooden support beams and the floor joists.
One way to test if you have wood rot is to use a screwdriver to test the timber in your home. With the screwdriver, press it against the timber where you suspect wood rot to be. If the screwdriver easily sinks into the wooden structure with little resistance, the wood has been affected by wood rot.
First and foremost, you should try finding out where the source of excess moisture is located. Once you’ve located and resolved the moisture problem, it’s time to find a wet rot treatment for the affected wood. There are also products such as wood preservatives or wood hardeners for wet rot situations but be sure to use a fungicide first to get rid of the wet rot fungus. Consider a fungicide product that uses borate or boric acid.
Should the wet rot be severe enough, however, then the wood may need a fungicide-treated replacement.
You should also consider preventative measures to protect your home from future moisture problems such as waterproofing and foundation repair. This can protect your cellars, crawlspaces, and basements from wet rot and the property damage it can cause.
While most brown rots are categorized as wet rots, there is a variety of brown rot fungi that cause what we know as dry rot. The reason for the term “dry rot” is because of how the fungi like Serpula lacrymans require less moisture than the other white and brown rots. While a wet rot fungus generally require a moisture content of around 50%, a dry rot fungus only requires around 20% to 30% moisture content to begin growth. Dry rot also gets its name from the appearance it gives the affected wood: dried and cracked.
Similar to wet rot, dry rot can be caused by excess moisture caused by some fault in your building’s construction. Here’s a list of common causes for dry rot:
During the early stages, dry rot may be hard to spot as their spores activate and begin to grow hyphae, white strands that penetrate into the wood like roots and begin breaking the lumber down. But when enough of these hyphae grow, eventually they will gather together until they become a visible mass known as mycelium. This is when you will likely first detect the presence of dry rot.
The dry rot mycelium will resemble something like a strange cotton-like substance on the wood. At this stage, it will begin to spread to further infiltrate and break down more wood for nutrition and growth.
Eventually, the dry rot will become a mushroom-like fruiting body that will begin producing new spores to release. This is when dry rot becomes the most obvious.
Throughout the process, the affected wood will likely show symptoms such as:
Dry rot can be found in a number of places in your home. So long as wood is present and enough moisture is available, dry rot can grow in your home’s walls, floors, and supports. For the lower levels in homes, dry rot can be found on floor joists such as those supporting a basement ceiling, and also on support beams like in a crawlspace. Dry rot is also capable of surviving and growing in masonry and plaster so long as enough moisture is present—this is why dry rot can be more troublesome than wet rot.
After dry rot has been detected, you’ll want to first determine the source of moisture that helped it grow in the first place. After addressing the moisture problem or problems, you’ll need to take these steps to free your home of dry rot:
Preventative measures should be taken to ensure that another moisture problem doesn’t occur that can cause dry rot to return. Consider speaking with a professional about waterproofing and foundation repair to prevent excess moisture from entering your home.
As the saying by Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus goes, “Prevention is Better Than Cure”. Having wood rot in your home can compromise the structural integrity of your home and result in costly repairs. As with many other species of fungi, wet rot and dry rot require moisture to activate their spores and grow. By controlling moisture in your home and preventing moisture-related problems, you’ll save yourself money and your home can remain free from wood rot for decades.
Whenever it rains, much of that water comes to rest against the sides of your home’s foundation. Should the hydrostatic pressure be too great, moisture can seep through your foundation, and cracks may even form. Foundation cracks can lead to greater leaks and more moisture invasion. Not only can it cause water damage to your foundation and lower level, but that excess moisture can make its way to the rest of your home and into the wooden structures, resulting in wood rot.
Here are some ways that you can fortify your home against invasive moisture and reduce the risk of wood rot:
Unfortunately, it’s not so easy. There’s no telling whether your home will be struck by wet rot or dry rot. Being prepared is the best you can do for your home. Due to their difference in moisture requirements, it is important to maintain proper moisture levels in your home to ensure that neither has the chance to take root and compromise your wooden structures. Treating your wooden structures with borate fungicide can prevent future wood rot from growing on the timber. As an added benefit, borate-treated wood also helps ward away termites in search of moist wood.
The reality is that fungi, especially wood rot fungi, will always be a factor in the lives of homeowners. They will always be a part of our world as one of the ruling groups of decomposers. Scientists around the world are still trying to better understand the precise ways that white rot and brown rot fungi interact with different types of wood. As concluded by a study on SpringerNature, “Understanding the moisture requirements of decay fungi is key for interpreting wood durability test data, for analyzing the protective mode of action of new wood protection systems and for accurate modeling of degradation processes and the resulting service lifetimes of wood products.”
One day, we may have the improved knowledge to build homes that can better ward off wood rot. Until then, it pays to be proactive in preventing wood rot from taking place at all.
The presence of fungi on our planet extends hundreds of millions of years before the dinosaurs. They will likely be here long after humans are gone. This also goes for wood rot fungi, as the environment provides more than ample means to survive. Wood rot plays a vital part in the circle of life. As explained on Energy.gov, “Lignin accounts for 30 percent of the organic carbon on Earth. Therefore, white-rot fungi—the most efficient lignin-degrading organisms—play a critical role in the movement of carbon from the atmosphere to organisms and vice versa.” But perhaps there is a way to go beyond just fighting wood rot as a potential peril of homeownership. Maybe we can make use of the way these fungi live.
On Phys.org, Energy.gov goes on to describe how brown rot fungi can serve practical purposes for our future, “Understanding the two-step mechanism could lead to new biotechnology approaches. With these approaches, scientists could turn wood cellulose into biofuels or bioproducts—efficiently and cost-effectively.” Wood rot fungi may play a role in our departure from an oil-based economy as science continues to learn more about them.
We are still researching into roles that wood rot fungi may play in our future and how we may better coexist with these fungal species. In the meantime, it doesn’t mean we have to let them wreak havoc in our homes.
Take action against invasive moisture so that wood rot fungi can do their job elsewhere, while you enjoy the safety and comfort of your home! At ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we offer foundation repair, crawlspace encapsulation, and basement waterproofing services. We also specialize in mold removal. It is our commitment to help homeowners like you enjoy a home free of moisture-related problems. With over 63 years of experience in the industry, you can rest assured that we’ll find your wood rot problem and have the solutions to make it go away.
Give us a call at (866) 485-6695 and we’ll have a specialist provide you with a basement waterproofing or crawlspace repair estimate and a free inspection!
Sources:
Hungry Fungi: White-Rot Fungi Eat All Components of the Wood They Decompose
Understanding How Brown Rot Fungi Degrade Wood Could Lead to New Tools for More Efficient Biofuel Production
https://phys.org/news/2017-02-brown-fungi-degrade-wood-tools.html
Wood-Water Relationships and Their Role for Wood Susceptibility to Fungal Decay
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00253-020-10479-1
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