Signs of Crawl Space Leaking to Look Out For

Crawl Space Leaking

Moisture is the number one enemy of crawl spaces. Therefore, crawl space leaking can result in serious damage to your property. It is vital to be able to identify a leak in your crawl space early enough to prevent it from causing extensive damage to your property. The following are some of the most common signs that you could have a problem with a leak in your home’s crawl space.

  1. A musty smell

One of the first signs you’ll notice when you are dealing with crawl space leaking is a musty smell. This small is likely to be caused by water damage to the structure of your home or the growth of mold in your crawl space. Water damaged crawl spaces can cause unpleasant odors in indoor spaces.

If you notice a musty smell coming from your crawl space, investigate further to identify water damage or the growth of mold.

  1. Mold and mildew

Mold and mildew require environments with high humidity in order to thrive. The presence of mildew or mold in your crawl space is a sure sign of a moisture problem. You may, therefore, be dealing with a leak in your crawl space and that is a sure sign to investigate further.

When you notice mold or mildew in your crawl space, schedule for mold removal services. Be sure also to have a waterproofing expert visit and check the crawl space for leaks  and further growth of mold.

  1. Water damage

Check your crawl space, floors and walls for water stains. Stains or cracks in the walls or crawl space are a sure sign of water damage.

Furthermore, water damage can also be manifested in buckling of floors. The moisture can result in warping of the wood that makes up the floor and result in uneven floors.

Three Common Causes of Crawl Space Leaking

Water can occur in crawl spaces for any number of reasons including:

  1. Sewer backups

Heavy rains can cause sewer systems to be overwhelmed. When this happens, the sewer lines begin to back up. As a result, the sewage may come up to the surface through the drains. Furthermore, this can also occur when sewer lines are clogged.

  1. Leaking pipes

Leaking service pipes running through the crawl space can result in flooding of the crawl space.

  1. Poor grading

The slope of the ground should lead water away from the crawl space. However, incorrectly graded land will lead water towards your crawlspace and result in water damage.

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