Why Is My Crawl Space Always Wet?

If your crawl space has already been waterproofed and encapsulated, there should be no reason why it is consistently damp or wet. The most likely causes of this are damage to your property’s structure or a loose or damaged crawl space door or vent cover. 

Structural Damage 

If water is making it past your property’s waterproofing measures, the most likely cause is damage of some kind. This can be damage to your property itself, like foundation settlement or subsidence, which are caused by problem foundation soils. Any damage that sees cracks spreading through the full width of a surface to the exterior of the property will let water seep into your crawl space. Of course, because of your waterproofing measures, this water will be trapped inside your property and become stagnant. 

Alternatively, internal damage and issues like plumbing leaks and appliance breakdown can very easily lead to water dripping into and collecting in your crawl space. When this happens, your crawl space will become damp and be more likely to harbor mold, mildew, and fungal growths. This will cause a lot of secondary and tertiary issues in your property. 

Loose Crawl Space Doors or Vent Covers 

If there is no damage to the structure of your property or your plumbing systems, the cause of your property’s dampness and moisture problems likely lies in your crawl space vent covers. If your crawl space vent covers and doors, for example, are becoming damaged as a result of exposure to the elements, water may start to seep into your home. 

Likewise, if the sealant around your vent covers becomes worn, or the vent covers and doors themselves are poorly fitted to the access points or vents, water and pests will be able to get into your crawl space over time. Thankfully this issue is fairly easy to rectify. You just need to dehumidify your crawl space and reseal your crawl space vents and doors with covers that fit well. This will prevent the recurrence of dampness in the future.