If you live in a house with a crawl space, then you must know that a large percentage of your indoor air comes from the underside of your property. So, if you notice any unwanted odor in your home lately, chances are, the stench’s source is the narrow area between the ground and the first floor of your home. Installing vapor barriers in the area is one way you can prevent foul and musty smells.
The question now is, what could be causing the terrible smells in your crawl space? Listed below are some possible answers to this query.
- Mold
Most molds don’t produce a smell. However, they can cause wooden structures and other organic materials in your crawl space to rot or decay. If this happens, you may notice nasty mildew odors.
In addition, certain types of molds emit mycotoxins, which can cause severe and irrevocable damage to human health, such as cancer. So, if you’ve found mold growth in the underside of your property, contact a crawl space contractor immediately for assistance.
- Pests and Insects
The smells of urine and droppings of pests and insects like rats, mice, and cockroaches can spread throughout your crawl space. And if they die in the area, they can fill the underside of your home with an unbearable stink.
- Soil
If your crawl space doesn’t have sealed floors, the soil can produce a musty smell. The reason is that the ground contains organic material, which can decompose over time and emit unwanted odors.
- Sewage Leaks
Does the underside of your home house some parts of your sewage system? If yes, then it’s possible that the terrible odor you’re smelling is caused by a broken sewer line.
Exposure to sewer gas can be harmful to your health. You may experience symptoms like irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, headache, nausea, and dizziness.
Contact Dry-Tek Environmental for Waterproofing and Vapor Barrier Installation Services
If you notice any musty or pungent smells coming from your crawl space, immediately contact the experts at Dry-Tek Environmental. We can help you eliminate such unwanted odors and ensure that the underside of your home stays safe and dry by installing vapor barriers and by encapsulating and insulating the area. Contact us now at (410) 543-4848 or (302) 468-1811 to schedule an appointment.
