The summer months are known for being extremely hot and humid. And while many people enjoy the heat, it can sometimes become an issue for those with an unconditioned crawl space. When the air outside heats up, the air in your crawl space will rise. And because an air conditioning system does not cool unconditioned crawl spaces, these rising hot air temperatures can cause several issues. The summer can hurt your crawl space in several ways. First, it may cause mold and mildew to form if moisture is in the air. Mold spores can become airborne and enter your home through vents or other openings. Some molds produce mycotoxins that harm people and pets if breathed in or ingested.
What is a crawl space?
A crawl space is a space below the surface of your home. This space can be accessed either by using a ladder. Or opening a hole through the floor. When repairing your house, you may also discover it, and your hands hit something solid. A humid crawl space can store things like old furniture and appliances. These spaces may also be used to keep air conditioning equipment, heating equipment, and solar panels.
How does summer affect a crawl space?
Summer heat can work several ways to make your crawl space less pleasant. Rising air temperatures can cause mold to grow on the walls of your crawl space.
They can also decrease the moisture content in the walls, which may cause them to become infested with pests, such as termites. If you find that your humid crawl space smells musty or moldy, it is likely a sign of a serious moisture problem that needs attention. The summer heat can increase the damp crawl space, which can cause several issues.
First, increased humidity can lead to mold growth and mildew. Like in your home, increased humidity can lead to mildew growth on floors and walls, especially if moisture beneath the surface. Mold spores are airborne, so they can move into your home, where they may be breathed in or ingested.
Second, high humidity levels may cause some of the materials used in your home to rot or decay more quickly than they usually would. Summer heat can also increase the water temperature in your crawl space. This increased heat can cause pipes and other metal parts to expand, leading to leaks and damaged equipment. You may also notice that your crawl space is getting warmer or colder than it usually would during the summer months.
How does the summer make the crawl space damp?
The main reason crawl spaces get more humid in the summer is that hot air rises. When it does, it draws the cool, moist air from your crawl space into your home. This rising hot air also draws moisture out of the air in your home and moves it into your crawl space. As this air flows through any openings in your walls or floor, it can pull more moisture out of the wood or other wood products used to construct your home.
Contact Waterproof Solutions Experts
Contact Toledo Basement Repair for waterproof solutions. With over 30 years of experience, Toledo Basement Repair offers crawl space repair, waterproofing, and insulation. We support local charities and have been featured in Toledo News Now. Serving the entire Maumee Valley area in Northwest Ohio. Including Sylvania, Lambertville, Metamora, Waterville, Holland, and surrounding areas. Call us at 419-447-6650 or visit us online at Toledo Basement Repair Toledo. Waterproof solutions for crawl space repairs in Toledo OH.waterproof solutions for crawl space repair in Toledo OH. You can also follow us on Facebook.
The summer can severely affect your home if it is not adequately cared for. Fortunately, several things can be done to prevent or fix these issues. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to add some ventilation systems to your crawl space during the summer months. It will help to keep hot air from being able to rise and pull moisture from the air in your home.