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Tag Archives: Crawlspace

RCS will clean your crawl space, as well as give you suggestions on how to keep you crawl space clean to promote a healthy living environment

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Controlling Crawl Space Humidity

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It’s no secret that keeping crawl spaces dry and controlling humidity has been an on-going battle for as long as crawl spaces have been around.

Whether it’s due to a flawed design or consistently wet conditions, learning how to curb excessive crawl space humidity will prevent damage to the very structure of your home.

How Crawl Space Humidity Enters Your Home

Back when your home was built, everything was new and tightly sealed. As time has passed, your home has expanded and contracted primarily in response to heat and other weather conditions.

With time and lots of movement, those once-tight seals loosen up, allowing open spaces to develop between the crawl space and the first floor of your home.

As warm air in your home rises and exits through upper levels and the attic, air from the outside and your crawlspace enters your home through those first floor spaces. This outside air is pulled up and into the home from the crawl space, as it moves through the home on its journey to exit through upper levels and the attic.

If your crawl space is vented, it’s even easier for hot, moist, humid to be pulled through the vents and into your home.

And the cycle repeats.

Why Humidity is Destructive to Your Home

Humidity not only feels clammy and uncomfortable, it is extremely destructive to the structure of home.

Excessive humidity can cause:

  • Musty odors and other unpleasant smells
  • Airborne allergens, poor air quality
  • Mold
  • Rotting of wood, drywall, and other structural components
  • Rusting of metal structural components
  • Higher utility bills

Rodents will take up residence in your crawl space along with their excrement and remains when they die. You’ll notice strong, disgusting odors permeating throughout your home as this contaminated air is vented into your home from the crawl space.

Once mold sets in, microscopic mold spores become airborne, enter your home and make breathing the air dangerous for anyone suffering from allergies, asthma, or other upper respiratory conditions.

Rotting wood offers prime feeding conditions for destructive pests such as carpenter ants, termites, and beetles.

You may begin to notice damage such as sagging to wooden joists, floorboards, and metal support beams. Soft or uneven spots may show up in floors throughout your home.

Higher utility bills result from your air conditioner trying to condition the wet, heavy, humid air which takes much more energy to cool down.

Regulating Crawl Space Humidity

To regulate humidity in your home, the work begins in your crawl space.

A thorough inspection and cleaning of the space is usually in order, especially if you’ve been struggling with excess moisture and humidity for a long time.

Depending on the conditions, eliminating humidity in a crawl space may include installing a vapor barrier on the walls, sealing vents, and using fans and dehumidifiers to dry up existing moisture.

Conclusion

When it comes to keeping your crawl space dry and preventing humidity from damaging your home, it’s time to call in the professionals to resolve the issues both now and in the future.

To schedule an inspection and get the results you need, schedule an appointment with the experienced crawl space professionals at RCS in Santa Rosa.

clean and tidy crawl space

The Importance of a Clean Crawl Space

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In the labyrinth of your home, there lies an often-overlooked yet vital area known as the crawl space. This hidden pocket beneath your house may be an afterthought, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining your home’s structural integrity and air quality. This article delves into what crawl space cleaning is, why it’s essential, how to tackle mold and water damage, and the best practices to ensure a clean and safe environment below your home.

  • Understanding Crawl Spaces
  • The Necessity of Crawl Space Cleaning
  • Combatting Mold and Water Damage
  • Best Practices in Crawl Space Cleaning
  • Wrapping It All Up

Understanding Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces are compact, low-clearance areas beneath the first floor of a home. They typically house plumbing, electrical wiring, and sometimes even HVAC systems. Often seen as a convenient storage area or an irrelevant part of the home, crawl spaces are actually vital in supporting the building’s structure and ensuring adequate ventilation.

In terms of construction, crawl spaces are either built into the original design of the house or created during a home renovation. The primary purpose is to lift the home off the ground, thereby offering protection against soil moisture and pests. Additionally, this space can act as a buffer, insulating your home against extreme temperatures.

The significance of a crawl space extends beyond its functional aspects. Ignoring this area can lead to an accumulation of mold, dust, and pests, which can compromise not only the structural health of your home but also the well-being of its residents.

The Necessity of Crawl Space Cleaning

Most homeowners may never even set foot in their crawl space, let alone clean it. However, just because it’s out of sight doesn’t mean it should be out of mind. A neglected crawl space can become a breeding ground for mold, pests, and even rodents, causing a cascade of problems that could affect your home’s integrity and your health.

For instance, water accumulation in a crawl space can lead to wood rot and structural damage. A well-maintained crawl space will not only prevent these issues but will also improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. It can even save you money on your energy bills in the long run.

Your home is like a body, and just like you wouldn’t ignore an infection, you shouldn’t neglect your crawl space. Professional services for crawl space cleanup can provide a thorough cleaning, making your home safer and more energy-efficient.

Combatting Mold and Water Damage

Mold growth and water damage are two of the most common issues plaguing crawl spaces. A damp and dark environment provides the perfect breeding ground for mold, which can subsequently enter your home’s air supply. For a comprehensive approach to eradicating this problem, mold removal services are often necessary.

When it comes to water damage, it can manifest in various forms such as pooling water, rusting metal components, or even decaying wood beams. Prompt action is crucial to mitigate the damage. Utilizing water extraction services is a highly effective way to deal with such issues.

“Your crawl space is not merely an empty area under your home; it’s an integral part of your home’s ecosystem that directly impacts your living environment.”

Best Practices in Crawl Space Cleaning

Cleaning your crawl space is not a task that should be undertaken lightly or without preparation. First, personal protective equipment like gloves, masks, and coveralls should be worn to minimize exposure to harmful substances. Second, you should remove any debris, such as fallen insulation or garbage, that may have accumulated over time.

A thorough vacuuming can help remove loose dirt, dust, and small pests. After the initial cleaning, it’s advisable to seal off the crawl space to prevent future issues with moisture, pests, and mold. Insulation can also be added or replaced to improve energy efficiency.

Wrapping It All Up

In summary, a clean and well-maintained crawl space is not just a footnote in home maintenance; it’s a chapter worth paying close attention to. Addressing the cleanliness and integrity of this area can lead to long-term benefits such as better air quality, improved energy efficiency, and ultimately, a happier and healthier life within your home.

If you have more questions or require expert advice on crawl space cleaning in and around Sonoma County, feel free to contact RCS Cares.

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Reducing Summer Mold Exposure

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Summer is a favorite season for just about everyone. However, one of the things to watch out for is an increase in mold and exposure to it.

Because mold grows so quickly and poses significant health risks, here’s what you can do to reduce your exposure to mold this season.

Why is there More Mold in Summer?

If you know anything about mold, you know it thrives in warm, moist, and humid conditions. In summer, the hot weather is a strong contributor to mold growth.

Although plenty of direct sunlight helps kill mold, there are always airborne mold spores spreading throughout your yard, landing on your lawn, in your garden and on your house.

Anywhere there is excess moisture, high humidity, or damp shady areas in the yard, you’re sure to find mold.

Humidity and Moisture

With hot temperatures, humidity levels rise. When it’s hot outside and cool indoors, condensation forms around doors, windows, and the insulation around them.

Poorly draining AC units are another spot for mold because of clogged pipes, drainage issues, or undetected leaks creating moisture around the home foundation or in crawlspaces.

If you haven’t cleaned out those gutters or compost bins, these are two places where decomposing organic matter like leaves attract mold very easily. Where there is a constant source of moisture, mold will find it and grow.

Food Sources

Like any active living organism, it needs food to live and grow.

Mold isn’t picky about food sources, attacking anything from spoiled food to paper to cardboard and wood. If there are available food sources, warmth and moisture, mold grows, spreads, and releases airborne spores continuously.

Poor Ventilation

If there are areas in your home that aren’t properly ventilated, the lack of airflow leaves the air stagnant, and allows for the buildup of condensation and dampness. Unchecked moisture sources allow mold to thrive.

The key areas to check are in attics, basements, and crawlspaces.

Reducing the Risks of Summer Mold Exposure

To reduce your risk of mold exposure, it’s important to eliminate the conditions mold needs to grow.

  • Check for leaks in and around drainage to the AC unit
  • Repair a leaky roof
  • Check and repair plumbing under cabinets for drips and leaks
  • Dry condensation around doors and windows
  • Replace wet insulation
  • Clean gutters and compost bins
  • Remove piles of decomposing yard waste
  • Keep the house and yard clean
  • Throw away spoiled food like fruits and vegetables
  • Keep an eye on shady, damp areas in and around the home

Conclusion

To ensure the health and safety of you and your home, keeping on top of sources of humidity, dampness and moisture is your best line of defense.

Making sure there’s good ventilation and removing food sources will drastically reduce mold growing in and around your home this summer.

If struggling with mold in and around your home, call the remediation team at RCS for professional mold removal and prevention.

crawlspace under home

Is Your Crawlspace Contaminated?

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Odds are, you probably don’t spend a whole lot of time in your crawlspace. 

But if you find yourself sneezing, coughing or noticing a musty smell coming from an unknown source, it’s time to check out your crawlspace for contamination.

How Crawlspaces Become Contaminated

There are several ways your crawlspace may become contaminated:

  • Insufficient Insulation

Over 1/3 of your indoor air rises up through the crawlspace. If the crawlspace is not properly insulated, expect to pay higher energy bills. Non-insulated spaces also tend to attract more insects, rodents and mold.

  • Improper or Missing Vapor Barrier

Since vapor barriers protect from excess moisture and humidity, they significantly decrease the odds of mold growth. Vapor barriers also provide protection from insects and rodents, while keeping indoor temperatures more stable and comfortable.

  • Excessive moisture, humidity, and/or water
  • Condensation on plumbing pipes
  • Insufficient vents and air circulation
  • Rodent excrement, nests, or infestations 

Signs of a Contaminated Crawlspace

When checking your crawlspace, look for these signs for what could result in potential contamination:

  • Visual inspection for damaged or missing insulation, vents, or vapor barrier
  • Damage to wooden joists, structural or support beams
  • Rodent damage caused by chewing through electrical lines or insulation
  • Standing pools of water
  • Visible mold
  • No encapsulation of a dirt floor crawlspace

Negative Effects of a Contaminated Crawlspace

As long as the crawlspace goes unchecked or stays as is, the odds of contamination increase. 

Here are some of the negative effects of a contaminated crawlspace:

Poor Air Quality

Since air from the crawlspace rises up and into your home, breathing in air particles containing dried rodent excrement or mold spores and mycotoxins on wooden beams, walls or the crawlspace ceiling can cause or aggravate existing health conditions such as asthma or allergies. The air can literally make you sick.

Higher Energy Costs

If your crawlspace lacks adequate insulation, you’re losing money every month on your heating and/or cooling bills. The furnace and air conditioner have to work longer and harder to keep your home comfortable due to conditioned air escaping through the crawlspace.

Structural Damage Inside the Home

If mold and water damage the ceiling of your crawlspace, it will eventually affect the integrity of your home’s subfloor and flooring above.

Additionally, damage to wooden support beams and posts compromise the very foundation of your home.

Rodent Damage

From using insulation for a nest to chewing through electrical wires to leaving behind urine and feces, critter proofing and protecting your crawlspace as much as possible helps keep rodent residency and destruction to a minimum.

Conclusion

To prevent the damage and negative impact of a contaminated crawlspace, take a look to see what’s going on down there.

If you spot problems with insulation, structure, water, mold, or any other potential contamination factors, don’t hesitate to bring in professionals.

To identify and eliminate contamination and restore your crawlspace to a clean, healthy condition, call the crawlspace cleanup experts at RCS to schedule an inspection today.

Buckled Wood Flooring

How Neglecting a Crawlspace Impacts Indoor Flooring

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While it’s not the most pleasant place to hang out, the crawlspace under your home may provide answers as to why you have cracked tiles, bouncy, creaky and/or sagging floors inside your home.

Here’s how and why a neglected crawlspace causes damage to your flooring.

Crawlspace Inspections

When checking out your crawlspace, it’s not hard to find problems with moisture, humidity, inadequate venting, vapor barrier or air circulation.

However, one of the most overlooked but important areas to check are the supports and crawlspace ceiling joists for signs of weakness, mold, and damage.

Crawlspace Issues Leading to Indoor Flooring Damage

There are a number of reasons why joists and support beams in the crawlspace cause damage inside.

  • Inadequate number of support beams or poor joist spacing
  • Shifting and settling
    Settling of support beams under your home, especially if built on clay soil, consistently expand with excess water and contract when dry. Shifting soil causes support piers or posts to move enough to cause the floor joists to sag, which in turn causes damage and sagging to interior floors.
  • Old beams that simply fail over time due to exposure to the elements.

Potential Interior Damage from a Crawlspace

Damage may include noticeable gaps or spaces in the flooring itself, around the baseboards or the area from the floor to the wall.

Uneven floors cause hazards such as tripping or other injury, overall safety and structural integrity, and a decrease in home value.

Because support beams in the crawlspace tend to hold up better around its perimeter, you’ll notice floors sagging more in the middle areas of your home.

Along with damage to your floors, excessive moisture in the crawlspace also results in unpleasant odors, higher energy bills, humidity issues inside the home and dangerous exposure to mold.

Crawlspace Solutions to Prevent Future Damage

For starters, here are some things to consider for prevention of further damage caused by inferior crawlspace support:

  • Repair or replace damaged joists and support beams
  • Add additional joists to crawlspace ceiling to provide more support for interior floors
  • Encapsulate a dirt floor to control excessive humidity, moisture, and water
  • Add or replace a vapor barrier
  • Improve venting, air flow and circulation in crawlspace

Conclusion

Don’t put off needed repairs to the structural support located in your crawlspace before the rainy season hits.

For more solutions to address the damage, moisture, and mold issues that wrecked or compromised the floors and overall support of your home, don’t delay in calling RCS for a thorough crawlspace inspection, cleanup and safety plan.

sump pump basement

When Sump Pumps Fail

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You may not realize how much you depend on your sump pump to protect you from a flooding basement or crawlspace. That is until it fails.

When a sump pump fails, it not only doesn’t stop water from flooding your basement, it can also make the situation even worse.

Find out what causes your sump pump to fail and what you can do to prevent it.

Causes for a Sump Pump to Fail

A few common reasons for a sump pump to fail include:

  • Power outages
  • A malfunction of mechanical parts
  • Age of the unit; an older model may simply give out due to its use over the years
  • Improper installation puts extra strain on the unit or not pump at optimum levels
  • Inexpensive units not designed to handle your needs

Sump Pump Failures Explained

You will realize pretty quickly when your sump pump fails but may not understand why it happened. Here are some common reasons:

Power Outage

When the power goes out and you don’t have a battery backup, it can spell disaster because you have no protection from basement flooding.

Other causes for loss of power is if the sump pump is accidentally unplugged or the circuit breaker is tripped.

Clogged Sump Pump or Discharge Lines

Many people install sump pumps without a lid, which creates a high risk for clogging. If your sump pump is installed without a lid, dust, dirt and other debris can get inside and cause it to clog.

A dirty sump pump can experience mechanical failure including the switches which can get stuck in either the on or off position or stop working when you need it most. Having a sump pump lid also protects children, pets and excess water from flowing back into your space.

Another cause for sump pump failure is due to dirt, debris or even rodents to get into and clog the discharge lines. Discharge lines are an important part of the system as they carry the water out and discharge it far from your home, protecting its very foundation.

Improper Installation

If the sump pump seems to be working but there’s no water in the pit, it’s a sure sign of improper installation. A sump pump is installed incorrectly if it’s not connected to the drainage system or there is no drainage system in place.

In order to work effectively, excess water flows to the sump pump where it then drains into the pit. If you don’t have a drainage system, such as drain tile, the sump pump can’t successfully drain water into the pit.

Make sure you have a clear – not clogged – drain tile system and that it’s pitched correctly for the sump pump to work at maximum efficiency.

Under Functioning

Your sump pump may perform well during lighter periods of rain, but during heavier rains, it might just not have what it takes to power through and keep up with all the excess water.

An inadequate pump can easily burn out or stop working during a critical time of removing excess water and preventing a flood.

Running Non-Stop

If the sump pump is running non-stop, it will burn out sooner than later. If your unit is running non-stop, call in a professional to diagnosis the problem. Under normal circumstances, your sump pump should not be running continuously.

The technician will check for problems such as defective or broken parts, clogged switches or adequate size and function.

Free Yourself from Sump Pump Failure

When it comes to basement flooding, prevention is the best course of action. When water is backing up in your basement is not the time to realize your sump pump isn’t reliable, designed to handle your needs or experiencing mechanical failure.

Consider these options before a minor issue takes a disastrous turn:

  • Make sure you invest in a reliable, high quality sump pump. Check with experts in water removal to assess and make recommendations in terms of which sump pump to buy. You may also consider a battery back-up model or more than one sump pump.
  • Install a drainage (drain tile) system.
  • Inspect and clean your sump pump regularly.

Conclusion

Your sump pump plays a critical role in home protection.  When it fails, you have to deal with flooding and water removal, water damage and all the dangers and issues that go hand-in-hand with a water back-up or flood.

When your basement floods, call in the water removal and mold remediation professionals at RCS in Santa Rosa. We can quickly remove the water, repair any damage and restore your home back to its safe, dry condition.