Crawlspace Moisture, Standing Water and Mold – Portland, Oregon

With spring approaching now is a great time to inspect your crawlspace.  Here in the Pacific Northwest our rainy season has just begun.  Checking your crawlspace should include checking a few key things:

Is there standing water?  There should be no to very little water present.  If there is standing water, chances are a sump pump is needed.   If your home is already equipped with a sump pump is it working efficiently and properly?

How is the ventilation under the house?  Fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels are the right ingredients for mold development.  If you have mold growth in your damp or wet crawl space it is best to diagnose the issue and correct it at the beginning of the season. Mold can play a part in making your family ill if left unchecked.

Lastly, check your freshwater supply lines that run under the house, especially if you have CPVC piping, speculation surrounds it’s failure from causes from contamination to improper installation.  There is a ‘Path to Prevention’ if the product is currently in use in your home.  When checking your plumbing make sure to do a thorough job as a even a hair line fracture in pipes can cause damage under the house not visible until the main floor begins to buckle above.  By the time this is evident, your structure has suffered extensive damage.  NOTE: Any material used in plumbing your home is subject to fail, so regardless of the material used, an annual detailed inspection is always suggested.