A Quick Guide to Crawl Space and Basement Issues

As a prospective home buyer, understanding the very basics of crawl space and basement issues is crucial.  Especially if you are new to the south east, where the humidity can rot a home from the foundation up, take note to know what to look for before you invest in a soggy bottomed “money pit”.

Signs of Moisture Problems:

  • Musty Odors: The smell of a vacant home will tell you the true story– if it’s musty, be forewarned, there could be some serious foundation issues (or roofing issues!)  
  • Visible Mold or Mildew: Look for mold around the baseboards as an indication of foundation moisture issues. 
  • Water Stains: Discoloration on walls down low or on floors can be a sign of water seepage.
  • Efflorescence: A white, powdery substance on the cinder block walls of a basement or inside a crawl space means that water is coming through the walls and leaving salt deposits behind.  
  • Peeling Paint or Wallpaper: Moisture can cause paint or wallpaper to lose adhesion.
  • High Humidity Levels: Excessive moisture in the air can indicate poor moisture control.
  • Condensation: Look for water dripping from ducts or pipes in the crawl spaces or basements- that means the air is damp, and should be addressed.

What can be done?

A house with a few signs of water damage is not the end of the world. But you should definitely seek a professional’s opinion about what is the ultimate cause of the issue, what can be done, and how much it will cost before purchasing.  Some things that a professional might propose: 

  • Exterior Maintenance: Keep gutters clean and ensure the landscaping directs water away from the foundation.  Some of this can be done DIY.
  • Interior Waterproofing: Includes sump pump installation, interior drainage systems (French drains under the house), or ultimately, a crawl space encapsulation and dehumidifier. DIY is not recommended.
  • Exterior Waterproofing: Involves exterior drainage solutions and the application of waterproof materials to the exterior walls of the foundation. DIY not recommended; much of landscaping near the home will have to be removed.

Understanding the Importance of Waterproofing

Crawl spaces and basements are prone to moisture problems due to their below-ground location. Excess moisture in these areas can lead to a host of issues, including mold growth, structural damage, and poor indoor air quality. Waterproofing these areas is essential in preventing these problems and maintaining the integrity of the home.

The Role of a Home Inspector

A home inspector plays a crucial role in identifying potential waterproofing issues. During an inspection, they will look for the signs mentioned above and assess the effectiveness of any existing waterproofing measures. Their eyes are better trained to look for such things and can give an unbiased report of all the signs of a wet foundation. 

 

About the Author: Erin Blackburn is the Marketing Director at Dry Otter Waterproofing and a former science educator. With a unique blend of expertise in both science and marketing, Erin brings a diverse perspective to her current role. She’s not just passionate about her work; outside the office, Erin loves crafting, hunting for vintage thrifts, and cherishing moments with her husband and little boy. Driven by a mission to educate people about all things interesting – from the wonders of nature to the critical importance of maintaining a dry foundation – Erin weaves her knowledge and passions into her writing, offering readers both informative and engaging content.

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Roof Leak at the Chimney?

Chimneys, especially of the masonry variety, are not nearly as popular as they used to be, but if you have an older home, there are things you need to know about proper maintenance, particularly in regards to the flashing around where the chimney comes through the roof.
 
It’s an easy enough fix to reinstall improper flashing or to sure it up with a little roofing cement. Installing counter-flashing is also a common thing that is missed by some roofers. Even with these items in place, you might still have a water entry problem if you have a chimney that is more than 30 inches wide at the downhill side.
 

Why Is There A Leak At My Chimney?

 
A common thing I see missing on wide chimneys is a cricket. Cricket flashing is a miniature roof installed at the backside of chimney to divert water around it.
 
 
 
Without this simple design, the chimney acts as a dam and can hold water for a long period of time behind the chimney. That water eventually finds its way beneath the shingles, behind the flashing, and into the attic.
 
Here is an example of chimney in need of a cricket:
 

 

When is a cricket required?

 
The general rule is when a chimney is over 30″ wide, but it is possible for chimneys less than that to need one. If you are experiencing trouble with debris, puddling, or freezing water behind your chimney, a cricket may need to be installed. Hire a home inspector or a roofing contractor to inspect your chimney.
 
The process of installing a cricket is relatively simple and a good roofer will be able to do the job for you. It sure beats hiring someone to repair and replace roofing materials after a prolonged leak.
 
Check out this article from the Journal of Light Construction on how it’s done.
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Improve Your Crawl Space

 
 
The crawl space. It’s the nether regions of a home that almost everyone wants to ignore. In the southeastern part of the US, they are quite common – especially in older homes – and the standard vented crawl space has been deemed an inferior foundation type. What do you if you have one?
 
If you live in a home with a crawl space, you can’t very well pick the house up and replace the foundation with a slab or a finished basement. But you can take steps to maintain your crawl space or drastically improve it.
 

Access Door:

Make sure it closes securely to keep out varmints, rain, and debris. Replace if decayed or doesn’t close tightly.

 

Vapor Barrier:

More accurately, vapor “retarders”, these can be polyethylene, roofing paper, asphalt, or even concrete. Poly sheeting is most common for those with a dirt or gravel floor. The vapor retarder should be installed with seams sealed together cover the soil completely, and be free of holes and tears.

 
Side Note: The crawl space floor should be free of storage and debris – keep it clean! Debris can attract unwanted pests, wood-destroying organisms, and/or microbial growth.
 

Ventilation: 

Codes vary, but generally in a crawl space with a vapor barrier, one sq ft of net venting is required for every 1500 sq ft, with one vent located within 3′ of a corner. Without a vapor barrier, it’s one sq ft of venting for every 150 sq ft of space.

 

Insulation:

If installed in the crawl space “ceiling”, the vapor barrier goes against the floor above with the fuzzy side facing down toward the crawl space. Also, the insulation should fill the full depth of the floor joists. A common improper installation is an R-19 batt (5.5″ thick) installed flush with the floor joists (9.25″ deep), leaving a sizable gap between the subfloor and insulation, allowing for condensation to build up. Insulation that is falling and looks like it’s raining down to the floor is indicative of a moisture issue.

 

Improvements:

  • “Smart Vents” open and close with water movement to prevent the build-up of hydro-static pressure.
  • Sump pumps are often installed to safely drain water from the outside or from a condensate line.
  • Replace the vapor barrier if yours does not cover the entire floor, is torn, or is less than 10 mil thick.
  • Encapsulation is by far the best way to improve your crawl space as it completely seals it off from the outside and effectively conditions the space. Here’s a look from a recent inspection.
 
A good first step to making any improvements is to get an inspection by a waterproofing specialist. 
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How To Inspect + Maintain Your Home Air Conditioning

At the start of each cooling season, a licensed professional should perform inspection of the Air Conditioning System. However, homeowners can do a lot of this work themselves.
 
Clean the Exterior Condenser Unit & Components
That large box on the outside of your home is the condenser unit. It is designed to move warm air from inside the home to the exterior. Coils of pipe are surrounded by thousands of tiny metal fins that allow the coils more surface area to exchange heat. Power off the unit and follow these tips:
 
Remove any debris from the unit’s exterior and trim back any vegetation several feet for proper airflow.
 
Remove the grill cover to clean out any debris from the interior – you can use a garden hose.
 
Straighten out bent fins with a fin comb.
 
Add lubricating oil to the motor – check your owner’s manual for instructions.
 
Clean the evaporator coil and condenser coil – again, see your owner’s manual.
 
Replace the insulation on the refrigerant line if corroded or beginning to deteriorate.
 
 

Other tips include:

  • Inspect & clean the condensate line. If equipped with a secondary line, a clogged primary line will be evidenced by water coming out of the secondary line which may be connected to the overflow pan under the interior unit (air handler). If you don’t know where either of your condensate lines terminates, ask the technician when you schedule a routine tune-up. For systems with a condensate pump, clean the pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Replace the air filter once per month, or wash if reusable. Most households need to replace their air filter at least once per month, even for the filters that claim to be “90-day” air filters. Some units will have a washable filter at the main duct line that connects to the air handler. Clean according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Be sure to deactivate the cooling system in the winter. If you have a heat pump, this is especially important. If activated when the outside temperature is below 60 degrees F, the compressor can be damaged. You can also cover the outside unit during the cold months when it’s not in use to keep out debris and to further protect it from the elements.
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