Moisture Control

Is it normal for the crawl space to be damp?

Yes, it is. Typical of below-grade areas in South Carolina, the crawl space is an area that’s often going to be plagued by moisture problems. The moisture escapes out of the soil by evaporation and accumulates in the crawl space, where it causes constant condensation. Some of the moisture could come from flood waters if you don’t have external waterproofing.As the vapor rises, it makes its way up through hollow spaces in the wall or condenses on the floor beams and insulation right above the crawl space. In the absence of a vapor barrier, puddles can form on the liner. This is actually the major cause of musty odors and mildew in a home.Some people may not notice something is wrong because they rarely visit this space. Condensation can be attributed to design flaws. Whatever that is, it really pays to inspect this space and fix the moisture problems it has. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the effects of water damage and mold. None of which is going to be pleasant or cheap to fix.If you have a crawl space, you should keep the humidity at 55% or below it. Encapsulating the crawl space is one of the best ways to do that. Keeping humidity levels low prevents undesirable effects such as fungi & mold growth, mildew, and dust mites from invading your crawl space. Contact Allied Pest Management for all of your moisture control needs.