Late Summer Checklist for a Healthy Crawl Space

As the summer winds down, school starts and the sun goes down sooner, you might be getting ready to prep your home for the fall. One area that might be overlooked (because out of sight out of mind is a nice mentality sometimes!) is the crawl space. The end of summer can be a great time to check in on this hidden area of your home. A healthy, dry crawl space means better air quality, stability, and energy savings. 

Here's a late summer checklist to help keep your crawl space in tip top shape!

✔️1. Look for Signs of Moisture

Ohio summers are very humid and can linger in your crawl space. High moisture levels lead to musty smells, mold, standing water and wood rot. Look for water stains on the block walls, standing water on the floor, mold stains on the wood or an off smell. 

✔️2. Inspect for Pests

Late summer is the prime time for insects and animals to burrow in your crawl space to seek shelter and warmth. Check for droppings, chewed insulation or nests. Ensuring your crawl space is sealed off is the best defense against unwanted visitors. 

✔️3. Check Vapor Barriers and Insulation

Traditional vapor barriers don't stand the test of time and may rip or tear. This causes water and humidity to seep through. In addition, insulation that has fallen or is sagging is a sign that it's water damaged. If either one is torn, missing or drooping, it's time for an upgrade. 

✔️4. Test Air Quality and Relative Humidity 

If you're noticing an unpleasant smell in your home, most likely it's mold and mildew from the crawl space. Around 50% of the air in your home derives from your crawl space so containing the humidity is vital. An effective dehumidifier designed for crawl spaces would control the moisture levels and improve the air quality of the whole home. 

Cleveland Basement Systems offers FREE in-home inspections with the best crawl space solutions on the market. Make the change for your home and crawl space, call us today!