The first company you should call is a mold and moisture remediation company. Those folks are pros at knowing what to do first so that your home gets fixed efficiently—and without risk of lingering health or structural issues.
Companies that provide water damage inspection services may help look for moisture and some may be familiar with mold problems as well.
Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home. Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors.
Best way to fix moisture issues is from the outside. Involves digging down to the footer, adding drainage and a water proof membrane to exterior of foundation. The other way is to cut a channel along the walls that flow into a crock in your basement where a sump pump is.
An efficient air conditioning system will reduce moisture in your home. Cold air can hold less moisture, so your AC will remove moisture from the air it circulates. If your AC is running and the air still feels humid, call an HVAC professional for help.
The first company you should call is a mold and moisture remediation company. Those folks are pros at knowing what to do first so that your home gets fixed efficiently—and without risk of lingering health or structural issues.
Turn On The Fans
These fans can often be found in places where air movement is especially important for dehumidifying because of heat- and moisture-producing activities like cooking and showering. Turn on your oven and bathroom fans to promote air circulation and reduce humidity.
The average cost to replace a vapor barrier in a crawl space ranges from $1,500 to $4,000. Vapor barriers are an essential element when you want to reduce humidity and moisture inside it, helping lower humidity and reduce the risk of problems like mold, rot, and water build-up.
Check Wood Moisture Levels in Crawlspace
One way to determine if your crawlspace has a moisture issue is to check the wood moisture content using a wood moisture meter. These handheld devices are able to tell you if your subfloors and floor joists are holding excessive moisture.
To remove the standing water from your home, you need a device that will soak up the water and put it elsewhere. This is what a sump pump does. There are two types: pedestal sump pumps and submersible sump pumps.
Damp spots could appear in many places—on the floor, walls, or ceilings. Maybe it's a wet spot on the carpet. Or a water stain that has caused discoloration on your wood floor. These stains can also show up on ceilings and walls—something particularly common with leaks from upstairs bathrooms or damaged roofs.
A moisture meter is used to measure the percentage of water in a material. The inspector can use it to test the roof decking, support beams, pillars, and other elements for their moisture content. It's common to find areas on the roof where the flashing and roof covering are in less-than-optimal shape.
This is because the inside of the windows is cold, but the air outside is warm. However, sometimes we may find condensation in the house so if this happens, you need to contact a professional. If it is in the house, it may be an HVAC technician as it may be an AC issue.
The first place to check for moisture is the ground near your home. The ground slope is easy to see, but to be sure the moisture is going away from — and not toward — your home, pour a bucket of water near the foundation. If the water moves toward your home, you could have a problem.
If you see any signs of moisture, you should call your local Crawlspace Medic to get a free inspection and estimate.
Perform a capillary test. This test will help you know whether moisture seeps into the house, (via walls, foundation or floor) or if it comes from indoor air.
Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance plans don't cover water in a crawl space. Instead, the homeowner will be responsible for dealing with the foundation water problem.
Even if you have a vapor barrier in your crawl space, the water will sit on top of the liner until it evaporates. What to Do: The best way to get rid of standing water under the house depends on whether you've got a few puddles or a crawl space full of water. But water in the crawl space won't go away on its own.
Most sewer backup cleanup and restoration services cost between $2,000 and $10,000. However, other factors such as the extent of the damage and other plumbing issues can add to your expenses and burn a hole in your pocket.
While a crawl space moisture problem can be complicated, the solution is fairly simple - seal the crawl space to keep out moisture from the outside air and soil and install a dehumidifier to control the humidity level.
Probably one of the fastest and most practical ways to decrease humidity in the house is to open a window. A fresh, dry breeze will quickly absorb moisture in spaces like your bathroom or kitchen. Turn your air conditioner down if you open a window to prevent your unit from working too hard.
Does DampRid work? Yes. CHOICE household products expert Chris Barnes says, "We put a DampRid container in a sealed test chamber about the size of a closet with 80% humidity and a fan for air movement. Within three days, DampRid reduced humidity to 43% and collected almost half a cup of water."