If you just purchased a home that has a crawl space in it and you find out the crawl space is not waterproofed, you should consider hiring a contractor to waterproof it. Waterproofing services are vital for homes with crawl spaces or basements, as these services stop water from harming homes. If you do not waterproof the crawl space in the home you just purchased, you could end up with some major problems, and here are several things you should understand about this.

Your Crawl Space May Allow Water to Enter In

The main problem with failing to waterproof a crawl space is that the crawl space will be prone to water problems. Foundations are generally made with concrete, and concrete is not waterproof. Without the proper steps of waterproofing, your concrete foundation will allow water to enter in, and you will have an even greater risk of this if your gutters are not functioning properly and if you do not have a sump pump in this area. Additionally, if you do not have an exterior drainage system around your home, your crawl space is likely to get water in it any time it rains a lot.

Wet Crawl Spaces Contain Humidity, Mold, and Mildew

When water enters in through the walls or any other areas of your crawl space, you should understand what this will lead to, and there are several things water will cause in this area of your home. The first things are humidity, mold, and mildew. When water is trapped in an area of a home, it will cause excess humidity in that area, and this will lead to mold and mildew. The problem with this is that the mold and mildew is not likely to stay in this area. Instead, it can creep up into your home through the floors and walls, and spores from the mold can get into the air in your home. This will cause a decrease in the air quality inside your home and can lead to a number of other problems.

Water in a Crawl Space Can Lead to Structural Damage

Water in a crawl space can also cause structural damage to a house if left unaddressed for too long, and this is especially true when water comes in contact with wood. Homes are built of wood in most cases, and wood is not something that handles water well. Water on wood will cause the wood to deteriorate, warp, bow, and rot away. If this occurs, your home could lose its strength and could end up caving in.

Water in a Crawl Space Can Cause Other Types of Damage to Your Home

Additionally, water in your crawl space can cause other types of problems and damage to your home. One of the problems it can cause is electrical failure. If water comes in contact with wires in your crawl space, it could cause a fire or failure of the electrical system in your house. If you store things in your crawl space, water in this area will damage all the things you have stored in there, too. The water could also seep into your house, causing damage to your personal belongings.

There are a number of signs you can look for that will tell you if your crawl space is prone to leaks, and this includes peeling paint, rust on metal things, cracks in the walls, and musty odors. If you detect any of these things, contact a company that offers crawl space waterproofing services, such as Central Penn Waterproofing. They can determine exactly what services your crawl space needs to fully protect your home from water damage and the effects it has on a house.