Crawl Space Foundation Problems in Littleton, CO: What Homeowners Need to Know
An arid and generally comfortable climate is one of the many features that draws people to Littleton, CO. The air may be better up here, but it can also contribute to home damage.
If you notice sagging floors, wall cracks, and persistent musty odors, your crawl space might be to blame. In Littleton, crawl space issues and related foundation structural damage are more common than you might think due to our region’s soil, seasonal moisture, and temperature swings.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on underneath your home and what you can do about it, including investing in crawl space repair in Littleton, CO.
What Are the Most Common Crawl Space Issues In Littleton?
Littleton homes are like snowflakes—each special in their own way—but typically follow building trends with a few common foundation types, including a crawl space foundation. This foundation is ideal for elevating the home off the ground and housing utilities, but it’s also susceptible to damage.
Let’s break down some of the most common crawl space issues Littleton homeowners notice, along with what causes these problems:
1. Moisture and Humidity
You might not think that humidity would be an issue in our dry climate, but when air enters a vented, cooler crawl space, especially during warm summer months, moisture and humidity levels skyrocket and wreak havoc. Here’s how:
- Groundwater Seepage: The expansive bentonite clay soil in this area doesn’t drain well, so water easily pools beneath your home.
- Poor Ventilation: Many older homes weren’t built with proper crawl space airflow.
- Condensation: When warm, humid air hits cooler surfaces, like ducts or pipes, it can lead to moisture buildup.
- Leaking Pipes or HVAC: A slow leak may not seem like a big deal until it damages wood and encourages mold growth.
- Dryer Vents: If your dryer vents into the crawl space, it’s adding unnecessary humidity.
2. Mold and Mildew Growth
- Mold loves dark, damp environments, and a damp crawl space provides its ideal conditions.
- Spores from mold can travel into your home’s air system, leading to additional mold growth in your main living spaces.
3. Wood Rot and Structural Damage
- Wooden joists and beams exposed to consistently high moisture and humidity levels can soften, rot, and fail.
- These conditions lead to severe foundation structural damage over time.
- Related problems include bowed walls.
4. Warped or Sagging Floors
- Moisture traveling up through the subfloor can cause hardwood to cup and floor joists to sag.
- You might notice uneven floors that appear to slant to one side or in the middle, or feel bouncy underfoot.
5. Foundation Cracks
- Soil movement and moisture imbalance beneath your crawl space can stress the foundation.
- Cracks will develop in foundation walls, drywall, ceilings, and exterior brick walls.
6. Pest Infestations
- Damp crawl spaces attract everything from ants and termites to mice and snakes.
- These pests enter effortlessly through open vents, cracks, and exposed dirt floors.
- Prolonged termite infestation leads to foundation structural damage, such as weakened wood and flooring problems.
7. Poor Air Quality
- Up to 50% of your home’s air comes from the crawl space because of the stack effect. If it’s musty or moldy beneath your home, you’re breathing it in upstairs.
- Exposure to pest waste is unsafe, and mold growth can contribute to health issues, including asthma and allergies.
8. High Energy Bills
- Temperature fluctuations in a vented or poorly insulated crawl space can make your HVAC system work overtime.
- This leads to higher-than-normal energy bills and cold floors during the winter.
Notice multiple problems or unsure about what your Littleton home is trying to tell you? Crawl space issues and structural damage can be complex and tricky to discern. For peace of mind, don’t hesitate to contact a foundation expert for a thorough evaluation.
How Can I Check For Crawl Space Foundation Structural Damage?
Crawl spaces can be dangerous areas, so we don’t recommend entering them on your own to check for problems. Leave the “dirty work” to crawl space experts in Littleton, CO, who have the proper training and safety gear for the job.
However, you can take the following steps to help determine the problems your home faces:
DIY Inspection Checklist
- Look for mold clusters, especially in bathrooms and kitchens
- Note any persistent musty or unpleasant odors
- Check indoor moisture and humidity levels with a hygrometer or humidistat
- Place a level or a ball on the floor to check for unevenness
- Walk around your home and look for cracking walls and floors, noting any changes
- Stay alert to insect presence and pest droppings
- Monitor unexplained spikes in energy bills
What’s the Best Crawl Space Repair in Littleton, CO?
While it’s common for Littleton homes to experience crawl space foundation structural damage, other areas require crawl space foundation repair around Colorado Springs, too.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution that works for all crawl spaces. Customized systems tailored to your crawl space’s needs are the most effective, lasting approach. These include:
Crawl Space Encapsulation
The first step is to keep moisture out of the crawl space. Crawl space encapsulation creates a sealed environment that discourages pest and mold presence. A comprehensive system includes sealed vents, drainage, sump pumps, insulation panels, vapor barriers, and dehumidifiers.
Crawl Space Supports
Durable crawl space jacks provide the support weakened joists and flooring components need to remain safe and stable. These jacks are cut to fit the exact height of your crawl space and can be adjusted to help raise and improve sinking areas of your floor.
Foundation Piers
Depending on factors including your home’s foundation type and the severity of the damage, foundation repair solutions, including helical piers or push piers, may be used to address foundation settlement. These heavy-duty piers are installed deep into the ground, relying on stable underlying soil for support.
Contact Groundworks for Trusted Crawl Space Repair
Dealing with problems around your house, particularly crawl space issues and foundation structural damage, can be frustrating. But you don’t have to endure it alone. Groundworks has extensive experience with crawl space repair in Littleton, CO. Our team lives and works throughout the area, so we understand the local soil and climate challenges.
Your home deserves specialized attention and repair solutions. Learn how we can repair and protect it by contacting us for a free inspection. We’ll treat your home as our own and only recommend what it needs, nothing more. It’s the Groundworks way.
Crawl Space Repair FAQs
Crawl space foundation can be fixed by replacing crawl space support piers or through jack installation. Contact a professional to ensure the repairs are implemented safely and effectively.
While crawl space encapsulation offers many benefits, it’s important to weigh a few factors. The initial cost can be high, but it’s offset by long-term energy savings and avoided repairs. You’ll need to commit to annual maintenance to ensure the system remains effective. Proper pre-encapsulation cleaning is crucial to prevent potential gas buildup from decaying organic matter. Despite these considerations, encapsulation typically improves home comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term value for most homeowners.
While DIY crawl space encapsulation may seem cost-effective initially, it can actually end up costing you more in the long run if not done properly. It’s best to leave it to professionals with the experience and knowledge to ensure a successful encapsulation.
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