It's easy to overlook your crawl space amidst the various day-to-day responsibilities of homeownership. However, there might come a day when you sense that something isn't quite right, prompting you to venture into this neglected area of your home. When that moment arrives, you'll realize the importance of knowing how to address crawl space issues and perform necessary repairs.
This article delves into five common crawl space problems and their respective solutions. It provides insights into the issues at hand, their potential root causes, step-by-step repair guidelines, and the average national cost associated with each, empowering you to make well-informed decisions when it comes to addressing crawl space concerns.
1. Stale or Mildewy Odors in Your Crawl Space
It's a scent you can't forget, even if it's been a while since you last encountered it. But do all crawl spaces have that musty, stagnant odor, or is something specific causing it? It appears that there are several potential sources contributing to this issue, including:
Trash left behind by contractors or previous owners
Organic material like leaves or manure in the soil
Dead animals, insects or animal droppings
A sewage backup
Mold
Regardless of the cause, you're likely eager to eliminate that persistent odor. Your initial step involves investigation—either you or a hired professional needs to crawl in and conduct a thorough inspection. Once you've assessed the source of the odor, you can proceed with the necessary steps to effectively eliminate it.
Addressing the issue of abandoned trash in your crawl space typically has a cost-effective solution, even if you opt to hire a professional for the cleanup. However, causes that necessitate a more extensive cleaning process, such as a pest infestation, can range in cost from $200 to $4,000. In the event of a sewage backup, you can expect to pay an average of $100 to $600 for drain cleaning services. If the source of the odor is attributed to the soil, installing a vapor barrier is an option, with an average cost ranging from $1,200 to $4,000.
2. Addressing Pest Infestations in Your Crawl Space
Dealing with a pest infestation necessitates a comprehensive cleanup as a fundamental step in reclaiming your crawl space. Insects such as cockroaches are known to spread bacteria and pathogens, while rodents serve as potent disease vectors. Moreover, pests can inflict substantial structural damage to your home. Rodents and small mammals like raccoons and opossums can gnaw through wiring and insulation, causing additional issues. Termites alone are responsible for an estimated $5 billion in annual property damage.
With any infestation, removal is the first and most vital step. Costs will vary based on the size of your crawl space, its accessibility, the severity of the infestation and the type of creatures you are having removed.
Insects: The cost of extermination averages between $100 and $300, though it varies widely by the type of insect.
Rodents: Rodent extermination costs between $200 and $600 on average, with higher costs if you prefer live removal methods.
Small animals: You may be able to have your local animal control remove raccoons or possums for free, but a professional service will cost $300 to $500 per raccoon.
3. Addressing Water Issues in Your Crawl Space
Inadequate drainage in your crawl space can result in flooding, leaving stagnant water to seep into the walls and gradually spread upwards. Various potential sources of water in your crawl space include:
Groundwater seepage
Over-saturated soil from rain or overwatering
Poor drainage
Flooding
4. Tackling High Energy Bills Linked to Crawl Space Issues
Your crawl space might be driving your energy bills up in colder weather. As the temperature outside drops, a chilly crawl space can force your heater to work overtime if your vented crawl space is pulling in more cold air. An uninsulated crawl space will also drive your bill up as it lets the warm air escape. Either way, your house — especially the floors — is probably still cold, despite your pricey heating bills.
Installing a vapor barrier on the ground can be an effective measure to prevent moisture from rising and impacting the temperature in your crawl space. However, for optimal results, it's essential to assess the walls and ceiling of your crawl space. If you've observed cold floors and high energy bills, inadequate or thin insulation might be the issue. The cost of insulation can vary depending on the insulation type and the size of the space, but you can anticipate spending between $500 and $1,500 for this improvement.
5. Mold
From unpleasant odors to drainage issues and even structural damage, mold is often associated with many common crawl space problems. As a homeowner, staying vigilant for mold is a top priority. However, it's essential to be aware that mold growth in a crawl space can often go unnoticed for an extended period compared to other areas of your home.
Where did it come from? It might have been from groundwater or plumbing leaks, decay or a sewage backup. Perhaps it’s even been there since before you bought your house. Now that you know about it, you’ll want to act before it spreads. Mold can cause structural damage like wood decay, and aggravate respiratory conditions like allergies and asthma.
6. Home Improvement Solutions
Crawl Space Issues Often Come in Pairs - If You Find One, There's Probably Another. Dealing with these problems can be overwhelming, both mentally and financially. If it all feels too much to handle, perhaps it's time to explore the option of selling your property to Creative Housing Duo.
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