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Moisture Correction & Prevention methods!!!

Click HERE to launch Dominion Power's Crawl Space Moisture Control PDF

For U.S. Department of Energy's study on Crawl Space Moisture Click Here 

Prevention      

• Periodically check for leaks or any other source of moisture in crawl areas.
• Cover ground in crawl area with poly vapor barrier to minimize condensation from the soil.  Close all crawl space vents to help prevent outside humidity from entering.
• Install a dehumidifier in crawl spaces where condensation is already a problem.
• Treat wooden members in the crawl space with a wood preservative which helps protect wood from wood destroying fungi.
• Sand can be installed to help prevent standing water in low lying areas of the crawl area.
• B-Dry is a company Colonial recommends that offers heavy standing water removal. This standing water removal allows Colonial to help correct the moisture problem at hand.

Wood Destroying Fungus

• Wood destroying fungi eats wooden members causing weakening of the structure.
• Moisture from the ground and outside air is the main cause of moisture problems in crawl spaces.
• Wood becomes discolored, spongy and musty when wood destroying fungi is present.
• The rate of wood decay caused by wood destroying fungi depends on the moisture level, temperature and type of fungi.
• Three major types of wood destroying fungi are; white rot, brown rot and water conducting fungi or "dry rot".

White Rot       Brown Rot

• Mold is not wood destroying but can help cause the moisture content in the wood to rise high enough to start a decay fungi.
• At a 20% or lower wood moisture content, wood destroying fungi is inactive. Fungi can become active at any time with an increase in the moisture level.