Nashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN
Living in middle Tennessee, you probably know that severe weather can happen in any month or season. Preparing and having a plan for a storm is important, but what happens when the bad weather subsides? Today on the blog, the team at Ameri Care Services wants to share how storms can damage your crawl space and how we then can help repair that damage.
Flooding is the greatest risk to your crawl space from a storm
After an extended period of rain, do you notice water accumulating in your crawlspace? This is a cause for concern. Any time your crawlspace experiences standing water, this can encourage the growth of mold and mildew, two varieties of fungus that thrive in dark, moist locations–locations like your crawlspace. Once mold or mildew takes hold in your crawlspace, it can spread to wood joists, insulation or subflooring. Left undetected or untreated, this mold and mildew can cause rot, which may affect the structural integrity of your home.
What are the consequences of a wet crawl space?
Your health: Mold and mildew can aggravate an existing respiratory problem or even cause such an issue. People who already live with asthma or some sort of immune disorder are at a higher risk. You also may notice the air in your home smells musty due to the wetness in your crawlspace.
Your finances: A wet crawl space has more humid air, and humid air requires more heat to keep warm. This can increase your gas or electric bill.
Pests: Insects and rodents need water to survive like any other creature. A wet crawl space can be the safe harbor they desire, and is also a dark space that is usually out of the way.
Proper cleanup is important
A flooded crawlspace presents a real problem that you cannot afford to ignore. The first step is to remove any standing water. If the water is less than an inch deep, you can sweep it out using a push broom. For an intermediate amount of water, a wet-vac may be the best tool for the job. Removing larger amounts of water could require the use of a pump. You also need to remove any materials from the crawlspace that got wet. This could range from stored items to soaked insulation or debris that came in with the flood waters.
Cleaning up a flooded crawl space is an important job that must be thoroughly completed. Failing to remove all the moisture–even the smallest puddle–can leave a breeding ground for mold and mildew. The crawl space also needs to be cleaned to prevent contaminating the air. For such an important job, we believe you should trust this task to professionals like the team at Ameri Care Services.
Crawlspace services in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Ameri Care Services offers a range of professional services that can remove moisture from your crawl space and also help it from happening again. Our waterproofing removes any standing water to create a dry space that will not risk your health. Our CleanSpace Encapsulation System helps seal off your crawl space from flood waters or moisture coming up from the dirt. A vent cover can help prevent water from flowing from outside your home into your crawl space.We also can install a dehumidifier to keep your crawl space from getting damp and musty again.
To find out more about any of these services, schedule a complimentary estimate and consultation with Ameri Care Services today. Just call (615) 893-7111 or contact us online.