ALL WATER SOLUTIONS ARTICLES

"If your drainage is a mess, call AWS."

Some customers have asked me “What would happen if I continued to allow moisture in my crawlspace?”  It’s a valid question, what’s the big deal about a little moisture under your house, right?

There are many problems that could arise if you continued to allow water or moisture to seep through or under your foundation, in most cases, you should resolve these issues as quickly as possible.  In this article, I will exclude the topic of moisture in the actual basement; the obvious to allowing this to continue is damage to the contents and interior of your home, not to mention mold spores.

Speaking of mold, even if it is underneath your house and in your crawlspace, this fungus can still produce health problems and some types produce mycotoxins which can cause rashes, respiratory problems, severe fatigue, and even dementia or memory loss.  Toxic mold needs to be removed, followed with the elimination of future moisture problems, often times resolved with waterproofing your foundation.

The U.S. Department of Interior states:  “Uncontrolled moisture is the most prevalent cause of deterioration in older buildings.  It leads to erosion, corrosion, rot, and ultimately the destruction of materials, finishes, and eventually structural components.”  If your home is exposed to moisture for a long period of time, you may have to start replacing rotted floor joists, sub floors, and actual flooring.  As a homeowner, it’s important to address your moisture problems before it gets to this point by resolving the drainage issues an waterproofing your foundation.

If you are in the process of selling your home, typically a home inspector is going to make a big mark on the report for the lender and buyer to clearly read addressing the concern about the moisture in your crawlspace for the reasons stated above.  No resolution to problem, no sale of house!

If you are a landlord, you are liable for anything that happens from neglect.  Based on what I’ve mentioned above, it could include anything from tenants health related problems, tenant injury, or personal property damage.  As a landlord, you should and probably have a policy to protect yourself, but often times a policy will only protect you to a limit, and in this litigious society, you want to do everything you can to avoid such a scenario.

I hope this article answers the question as to why you need to prevent moisture in your crawlspace, and remember you want to have a permanent solution, not a temporary fix.

If you live in the Seattle area, don’t hesitate to call AWS at (425) 373-6844.

Brandt Peterson is the owner of All Water Solutions (AWS), a Seattle contractor specializing in waterproofing foundations.  Brandt has spent his entire adult life in the construction field operating equipment, managing projects, and educating homeowners on keeping their homes free of moisture.

In addition, All Water Solutions provides related services such as water service connections, foundation excavation, driveway grading, retaining walls, side sewer connections, and water features.