Humidity and moisture in your crawl space can often lead to a serious problem for homeowners not using a crawl space dehumidifier; wood rot. Wood rot, also called wood decay, is caused by microscopic organisms that belong to the fungi group. These organisms are what cause the wood to actually decay.
Wood is comprised of 3 major components: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Wood rots because the fungi "eat" these 3 major components of wood cells by releasing enzymes that digest wood cells.
Wood that has a moisture content of 20% or above is very susceptible to rotting. The attacking fungi require 4 conditions for colonization:
1) Adequate oxygen supply
2) Temperature range between 40-100 degrees Fahrenheit
3) Constant moisture source
4) Adequate supply of food (wood)
Untreated moisture damage can cause a decrease in your property value by 10% to 15% according to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC).
Catching moisture problems like wood rot in the early stages will save you both money and headaches. There are several warning signs to alert you that moisture may be damaging your home: excessive condensation on windows, blistering or peeling paint, discolored wood surfaces, splits across the wood grain, mold spots, musty odors and standing water in your crawl space.
If you notice any of these warning signs, you need to determine where the moisture is coming from. Check for plumbing leaks, roof leaks, debris filled gutter and downspouts, foundation cracks and poorly graded soil that drains towards your home. In your crawlspace, look for mold stains on the foundation walls and/or puddled water.
Moist, humid air from your crawlspace increases the moisture content of the wood in your home, making it vulnerable to wood rot. By installing a vapor barrier and a high grade crawl space dehumidifier, you can protect the value of your home.
About the Author Chuck Jaymes is an indoor air quality professional and offers reviews and comparisons about Crawl Space Dehumidifiers for OscarAir, Inc.
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