Crawl Spaces in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Crawl Space: A Serious Home Improvement Project

Common Types of Crawl Spaces in Pittsburgh Homes

In most homes today, there are typically two types of crawl spaces: the Kitchen Crawl Space and the Home Crawl Space. These areas are usually separated by doors or partitions, and unfortunately, they tend to be some of the dampest, draftiest, and least insulated areas in the home. This contributes to high moisture levels, which can cause issues like mold and rot. While small amounts of water are not uncommon in drainage systems, areas like basements and attics are often poorly ventilated, which can exacerbate these problems.

What is a Crawl Space?

A crawl space is an unfinished, unoccupied area in a structure located between the first floor and the ground. Despite its name, the term 'crawl space' can be confusing, as these areas typically lack floor-to-ceiling insulation and often have concrete or block walls. Crawl spaces are more common in residential construction, but they are also found in some non-residential buildings. In homes, the crawl space often refers to areas beneath the main living space but may also include areas like the dining room or backyard.

The Importance of Crawl Space and Foundation Maintenance

If the foundation of a structure has issues, you will eventually hear creaks and groans. When this happens, foundation repair work may be necessary. It's crucial to pay attention to the conditions of your crawl spaces, both above and below the home. If you experience any water issues—no matter the size—foundation repair should be part of your regular maintenance. Mold, especially in the basement, can cause severe damage and will not resolve on its own without proper intervention.

What Do You Do When Your Heating and Cooling Systems Don’t Work?

If your heating and cooling systems are not working very efficiently or very cleanly, the result may be unhealthy indoor air quality, which can lead to all kinds of health problems. One such problem includes lung disease, especially amongst children. Mold can grow and spread in crawl spaces, just like it does on the outside. Mold spores are airborne, and in turn they travel up into the upper levels of your home. Like all microscopic organisms, these tiny insects need a warm and damp environment to survive, and they thrive in areas where there is little air circulation, and lots of moisture. With poor ventilation and warm moist conditions, you can expect mold to spread, and you can expect it to spread fast.

Mold’s Impact on Your Living Space

Obviously, mold doesn't just cause a health problem, but it can also make your living space look unsightly. It will make your walls and floors look like they have been infested with termites, and it can leave unsightly holes where the pest had lived before you got the bug problem under control. Sometimes, you can see the holes in your walls and floors, but they may be so small that you won't be able to tell that they are the result of mold growth until you get an inspection done. Even then, you may be surprised to find out that you are suffering from what looks like a moderate amount of mold, but a large amount of water damage or lack of heat throughout the house could be the culprit.

Undetectable Mold and Inefficient HVAC Systems

In many cases, you won't be able to detect mold in your crawl spaces. The truth is, most homes suffer from some level of indoor air pollution because their HVAC systems don't work very well. Your HVAC system is designed to lower the temperature and regulate the outside air to provide more comfortable indoor air. However, as buildings age, the efficiency of modern HVAC systems decreases and they begin to backfire on their users. In short, they become inefficient and it becomes necessary to replace them often.

Preventing Moisture and Water Damage in Crawl Spaces

One of the best ways to keep your basement dry and free from moisture is to add extra concrete to your crawl spaces. While this sounds strange, most homes that have existing concrete flooring will benefit from added concrete to protect their concrete floors from moisture and other negative effects. Adding concrete to crawl spaces provides additional protection against humidity and water damage. Once you have poured in the concrete, seal the space and make any repairs before winter sets in. This will give you additional time to remedy the problems with your basement before the cold weather sets in.

Importance of Sealing and Maintaining Crawl Spaces

Remember, moisture, dampness and mildew are some of the biggest enemies of crawl spaces. Seal them from the start to prevent these problems and you'll save yourself time, money and energy in the long run. A properly sealed and maintained space will provide a healthy environment for your family to thrive in. And, given the state of the economy, this is one investment that you can afford to make. Make sure to look for a home foundation repair near me, to help you with this problem if you can't do it yourself. Reach out to us or discover more about the services we offer.

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