Why Is My Crawl Space Damp?

Your home’s crawl space is one of the most exposed and vulnerable parts of your property, especially if you have uncovered crawl space vents. Uncovered vents are the most obvious points of entry for water and dampness in a crawl space, however, there are many others that are perhaps less noticeable. 

• Foundation Damage 

Foundation damage is one of the most dangerous and serious forms of damage that a property can suffer. When you have a cracked, settled, or sinking foundation it is understandable that dampness is the last thing on your mind, but it is a common co-occurring problem when a property’s foundation is damaged. Subsidence, foundation heave, and excess hydrostatic pressure are the most likely to result in standing water, dampness, and humidity because water is at the root of the damage in each case. 

In the case of foundation heave, water in the soil expanding after a cold snap causes the foundation to bulge and crack. Where subsidence is the issue, saturated soil loses its stability and a property starts to sink, often causing pressure in unusual ways and leading to damage and cracks. Finally, excessive hydrostatic pressure can cause cracks to form. In any case, once cracks form water will quickly seep into your crawl space. 

• Cracked or Damaged Walls 

The walls of your crawl space, too, can allow water and dampness into your home. Like your foundation, crawl space walls can be damaged in a multitude of ways. Of course, damaged crawl space walls also present more pressing concerns than dampness, but, once again, dampness and humidity are almost mutually inclusive with damaged or cracked crawl space walls. 

Your home’s crawl space walls can be damaged by several issues, as well as the problems which commonly affect a property’s foundation. Alongside subsidence, hydrostatic pressure, and foundation heave, your crawl space walls can be damaged by ice and snow building up around your perimeter by flooding and repeated shrinking and expansion as a result of seasonal changes. All of this damage will let