Crawlspaces are frequently overlooked areas of our homes. That is why it is not a big surprise that most of us have musty crawl space issues. Mold or musty odors, for example, can easily go missed until they become an issue. With all of the melting snow and rain that occurs throughout the spring season, it’s critical to take precautions to safeguard your crawlspace.
When there is a lot of rain, the earth might become saturated, allowing standing water to seep into the crawl space through the porous mortar joints in the brick. Because most crawl spaces are “below grade,” water can easily seep through mortar joints. When the ground is lower in the crawl space than it is outside, water follows the path of least resistance, which is through the walls. Groundwater can also be a problem, especially in locations where the soil is clayey.
What Causes Odors, Smells, And Mold To Appear In Our Crawl Space?
Crawlspace odors are frequently the first symptom of a problem. If nothing is done to solve the problem, they can indicate that mold and rotting are on the way. Mold is also a possible health hazard, particularly for people who suffer from asthma or allergies.
Mold, mildew, and stink are all caused by moisture. It’s simple for moisture to seep in and the air to mirror the Earth’s steady, relatively warm temperature, creating a humid environment that attracts mold to thrive if a crawlspace isn’t adequately air sealed and insulated. It also provides rodents and other tiny critters unrestricted access to the room and your property, increasing the risk of odor.
Other Reasons Why Crawl Spaces Are Musty
Excess water is the most common cause of crawl space odors. In addition, water can leave a musty or even rotten smell, whether from a leaking pipe, a damaged foundation, or a flood.
Musty scents might rise through the floor because it is a part of your home’s foundation.
Although it’s possible that you’ll detect crawl space odors straight immediately, it’s more probable that it may take days or even weeks.
Animals, in addition to water, produce odors. They can produce strong odors whether they are dead or still alive in your crawl area.
Musty or wet odors are frequently caused by water, especially if they appear after a rainstorm or a flood. If odors appear quickly and are particularly unpleasant, animals are more likely to be the source. If your crawl area has an unpleasant odor, look for signs of water or animals.
You can dry out your crawl space on your own if there is standing water. You can also hire a crawl space water removal service.
Because animals can spread disease, you should hire a biohazard cleanup firm to handle animal odors.
Ways To Get Rid Of Musty Crawl Spaces
Removing Moisture and Humidity
To begin, you must remove the moisture from the air. Then, you can use standard house fans and a dehumidifier unless there is a puddle of water. While the moisture issue must be addressed, the immediate priority is to eliminate the odor. Allow a day or two for the fans to dry it out.
If you have standing water in your crawl space, though, you have a far bigger problem to deal with. In that scenario, you should consult a crawl space expert to resolve your water issue. Otherwise, the odor will only return.
Opening Windows And Vents
If at all possible, cover any windows or vents in your crawl space. This will not only help to get rid of the stink, but it will also allow moisture to escape. As long as the fans are running, keep them open. If your crawl area doesn’t have any windows, install a fan at the entrance and utilize it to draw in fresh air from outside. It won’t work as quickly, but it will assist get rid of the odor.
Disinfecting And Cleaning
Your crawl space must then be cleaned and disinfected. Begin by thoroughly cleaning everything with soap and warm water. While cleaning, keep the fans on because this will help everything dry faster.
Then, in a spray bottle, combine a cup of bleach with a gallon of water. Spray the bleach solution on everything and let it air dry. This will eliminate any mold or bacteria that may be causing the stink in your crawl space.
Deodorizing
Because odors can permeate your crawl area, you should also use baking soda to deodorize it. This will assist in getting rid of any remaining odors and keep it smelling good for a long time.
Although there are a variety of odor-removing treatments available, baking soda is the best option. It’s not only cheap, but it also works better than practically anything else at removing odors.
Simply sprinkle it about, and it will absorb the odor. You can either vacuum it up after a few hours or let it alone. It will not harm anything and will work for weeks, if not months.
If your crawl area still smells musty after completing the instructions above, there may be a more serious issue. Our experts at Carolina Crawlspace Pros are educated and certified to handle the repair of Musty crawl spaces, damage, and removing any issues. Call us now!
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