Some surprises are good. Others, not so much. Especially when they show up on your energy bill.
When you open that power bill every month, you have a general idea of what to expect.
If you have had one of these nasty surprises, you might need crawl space repair. In fact, this is one of several indicators that there are crawl space problems. We’ve outlined ten of them to help you decide if there may be damage to your home and you need crawl space repair.
1. An Unexpectedly High Electric Bill
If outside air is easing into your home, your power bill may be one of the first indicators. The problem centers on a chain reaction. First, high humidity levels indicate that outside air is entering your crawl space. Then, this humidity forces your HVAC system to run overtime.
A high bill may also be an example that your crawl space is poorly insulated or the insulation has been damaged.
2. Sagging Floors
This can be a problem on so many levels. It sometimes points to foundation damage that has affected the floor joists. As a result, your foundation is weakened.
The source of the issue? It could be water in your crawl space. This causes the beams under your home to rot.
Let’s be clear: You should not have standing water in your crawl space. Have us take a look and evaluate your crawl space before it causes foundation damage.
This is definitely a case where you may need crawl space repair.
3. That Musty Smell
If you get a hint of this odor, it’s an indicator that you could have problems on the horizon. First, your crawl space—and your home—should certainly NOT smell musty. A musty odor means there’s sure to be moisture present.
4. There’s Evidence of Standing Water
This is always a bad sign. As we mentioned earlier, there should not be water in your crawl space. If there is, you may want to consider crawl space encapsulation.
Eliminating the water is only solving part of the problem. The issue lies with trying to find the source of the water. If there’s a leak, it needs to be repaired.
In addition, wherever there is standing water, there’s the possibility of mold. Speak with us about our mold remediation services and how they can help you.
5. Seeing Mold
Speaking of mold, its presence almost always calls for checking your crawlspace. While it may be tempting to try DIY mold removal there can be several dangers associated with it. First, you may unknowingly spread it to other areas as it circulates throughout your house. Second, exposure can have a negative effect on your health, particularly if you have allergies or asthma.
6. High Humidity Levels in Your Home
Your home should be comfortable. That means humidity is an unwelcome guest. Moisture in your crawl space can cause a spike in humidity levels. Look for signs of condensation in your home or paint/ wallpaper that is peeling from the walls.
7. You’ve Never Had Your Crawl Space Examined
Okay, this may not technically be a visible sign, but the bottom line is that you can’t evaluate the overall health of your home if you don’t know what’s there.
We can evaluate your crawl space for safety, taking into account how it might benefit from encapsulation.
8. Evidence of Vermin
No one wants pests inside their house! Yet if you see evidence of mice, roaches or other unwelcome visitors, they could be coming in through your crawl space By using plastic “flooring” we can prevent these creatures from making a beeline into your house
9. Damage to Your Wood Flooring
Termites, condensation, or any sign of wood rot means that there may be issues with your crawl space. We’ll take a look and, if you need repair, we can work directly with your insurance company to save you a world of headaches.
10. Signs of Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a type of salt. You can see these crystalline deposits on surfaces such as stucco, brick or natural stone. This is an indicator that water is present in the masonry surface. It’s hard to miss it. It’s white, sparkly and will flake off the surface.
If You Have Any of These Signs, Make the Right Call for Crawl Space Repair
First Call is the right call when it comes to crawl space issues. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners throughout the Raleigh, Greensboro and Burlington areas maintain efficient crawl spaces and offer crawl space repair when needed.
The result? Lower power bills and a more comfortable home.
Our first-class service and unwavering dedication to customer service make us the premiere restoration company near you. Contact us today for an evaluation.
