A wet or damp crawl space is a brewing vat for all kinds of potential trouble. Termites, carpenter ants, rodents, wood rot, mold, mildew are attracted and thrive in damp and dark spaces. Your crawl space can be an incubator of trouble if moisture levels exceed acceptable limits. 10-16% is a good moisture level for a crawl space, but anything higher than 20% can be a sign of trouble.
Termites, ants, and other wood-destroying insects need food and water sources to survive. Termites love cellulose which is under every home. High moisture level only softens your floor joists and wood underneath the home in addition to damp insulation. It’s like a free restaurant for hungry termites and wood-destroying pests.
High moisture content can result in rotting subfloors above not to mention infestations of the destruction termites can cause in a relatively short amount of time. When your humidity levels are high your crawl space can be a breeding ground for mold mildew, fungus, and other respiratory disorders, or allergen causing agents. Your crawl space naturally draws moisture from the ground. Every home has moisture underneath it, but making sure you have acceptable levels of moisture is critical to avoid a host of invaders and challenges.
A professional termite and pest control contractor can save a lot of headaches and help prevent further damage caused by moist or damp crawl spaces. The professionally trained technicians will measure the moisture content underneath your home in multiple locations. They will look for signs of moisture damage, termite and carpenter ant activity as well as signs of water intrusion. If there is not an existing vapor barrier the chances of high humidity levels are usually greater. Vapor barriers are designed to minimize moisture underneath homes.
If the inspection determines that water is entering the crawl space from outside the foundation the company will look for the source outside the home around the foundation. They may recommend installing a french drain and sealing the foundation to re-route the water away from the home and limit moisture intrusion. They will also inspect your downspouts and observe how rainwater is being diverted, or not, away from your residence.
The company will provide recommendations and a quote for the scope of work. When they leave you will have a plan to control moisture and humidity levels in your crawl space so you can eliminate enemy breeding grounds and destruction.
Your professional may recommend a vapor barrier which is one of the best ways to control moisture levels and contain natural ground gases while preventing mold and mildew. A vapor barrier is simply a thick plastic barrier the encases your entire crawl space. It will help insulate your pipes and air ducts limiting the amount of sweat and moisture from the crawl space floor preserving your subflooring and floor joists. Vapor barriers also help maintain a constant temperature inside your home which saves on energy costs.
Dehumidifiers, proper temperature regulating vents, and vapor barriers can eliminate moisture plagued homes, but you need a professional with experience to determine what you need so you don’t overspend.
Apex Termite and Pest Control have been working with moisture issues in Greenville, SC, for well over 50 years. Our trained professionals will diagnose your problem upon scheduling a visit and propose to you various solutions that we back with a guarantee that will fix the moisture issue you are dealing with whether it’s moisture, or termites, mold, or mildew as the result of an untreated crawl space. Contact us today for a free inspection and quote.
Austin Hamilton
General Manager Apex Termite & Pest Control
(864) 877-2702
Austin@apex-termite.com
