Crawl spaces are one of the most overlooked parts of a home. They're also one of the most prone to leaks and freezing in the winter months. Older homes with crawl spaces are especially vulnerable to cold weather.
As we head into colder weather here in Oklahoma, it's essential to know what you should be looking for and what can be done about them quickly and easily. Let's get under the floorboards and take a look at what you can do!
What Is a Crawl Space?
A crawl space is an area beneath the first floor of a house or other building. The ground around your home may be excavated to create this lower level. If so, it's crucial to install the proper insulation to keep the cold out in the winter months and heat from escaping during the summer months.
Blocking cold air from entering your crawl space is crucial. If the space is not adequately sealed and insulated, heat will escape through the wall of your home, and cold air will seep in. That's bad news for your wallet and anyone living in that house!
How Ice Forms in Crawl Spaces
If your crawl space is not properly insulated, the first floor of your home will be exposed to cold air. This can turn into ice in some spots, especially corners and along outside walls.
It's essential to make sure that there are no cracks or other openings around your crawl space vents or other exit points for cold or hot air. If you can't tell if there are any cracks, you can use a stick of incense to detect drafty areas.
Once your crawl space is insulated and sealed off, it shouldn't be exposed to extreme temperatures. Homeowners shouldn't have to worry about their crawl spaces filling up with ice again.
Ice and Pipes – A Recipe for Disaster
Ice can lead to more than just cold feet. It's also a recipe for burst water pipes and other water damage that will wipe out your home if you're not careful.
We all know how quickly ice accumulates when it snows or the temperature dips below freezing, but it doesn't take long for even a thin sheet of ice to form. That's why your crawl space must be properly insulated and sealed before the first cold snap of the season!
Plumbing professionals will install pipe insulation and wrap to ensure that pipes don't freeze over and burst. This insulation acts as a barrier between the pipe and the cold air, keeping the water inside from freezing.
Insulate Your Pipes Inside and Out
If your home is older, it may not have been built using new standards for insulating pipes. But those standards are there to protect you! Insulated piping can be wrapped with foam insulation and wrapped in special heat tape. This option is relatively simple to set up and can keep your pipes from freezing even when the temperatures outside plummet.
Insulated piping will prevent water damage when the weather turns cold, and you don't have to worry about costly repairs in advance! Call a plumber to assess the situation if you're worried that your house might already be too far gone.
Heating Your Crawl Space to Prevent Ice
If your crawl space is not properly insulated, it will never warm up all the way. That's because concrete walls act as an insulator and transform whatever heat you give them into cold.
This means that if you want to keep ice out of your crawl space in the winter months, you'll need to bring in some heat. The simplest way to do this is by installing a closed-cell foam insulation kit. This will prevent warmth from escaping and keep cold air out even when the mercury plummets outside.
Crawl spaces are not often thought of as the most important part of your home. They're easy to ignore and forget about, but they can end up costing you a lot if you don't take care of them.
Signs You May Have Crawl Space Plumbing Leaks
When leaks spring in your crawl space, they can go unnoticed for a long time. Knowing the tell-tale signs to look for can help you find and fix problems before they snowball and cause significant damage to your home.
1. Is there a distinctive odor coming from your crawl space?
Sometimes, a musty smell is a sign that you have plumbing leaks. Any unusual smells coming from your crawl space could signify that mold and mildew are starting to grow.
If you begin to notice an unexpected musty or mildew smell coming from your crawl space opening, it may be time to call a professional. Mold and mildew can proliferate in humid crawl spaces, so it's vital to tackle the problem as soon as possible.
2. Do you hear dripping noises coming from your home?
If your plumbing system is working correctly, you shouldn't hear any sounds from water hitting pipes or fixtures inside the walls. If you start to hear dripping noises coming from your home, it could be that water is leaking into your crawl space or foundation walls.
Since crawl spaces are so dark and damp, homeowners may not realize leaks have sprung until the problem has gotten worse. That's why it's important to regularly inspect your crawl space for any signs of leaking water.
3. Are there patches of wet dirt in your crawl space?
If you notice that the dirt around your home is damp or even muddy, it could be a sign of plumbing leaks. When water from ruptured pipes or leaking fixtures travels along the floorboard and through the ground, it can cause moisture to get into your crawl space.
That's why it's essential to inspect your home regularly for any wet spots or patches of soggy dirt. While a leak may not seem like a big deal, it can cause costly damage over time if left untreated.
4. Do you see signs of mold or mildew in your crawl space?
If you have a leak that's been going on for some time, it can cause severe damage to your home. Over time, even small leaks can seep into the foundation and cause black mold to form. This is why it's important to keep moisture at bay when possible.
Black mold can cause severe damage to your home, so it's vital to fix leaky plumbing as soon as you notice the signs. That way, you'll be able to eliminate the problem at its source and keep your crawl space mold-free for years to come.
How Leaks and Winter Weather Can Ruin Your Foundation
Crawl spaces are just one of the many things that can go wrong with your home's foundation. Understanding how winter weather and leaks affect your foundation walls is important, so you know what to watch out for when it comes time for repairs.
As the temperatures fluctuate, the ground around your home can shift and cause damage to the foundation. If there is a leak in the plumbing system, it can travel down through the dirt and grow into a crack or hole as the temperature changes.
Left unattended, this type of damage can lead to even more significant problems as time goes on. That's why it's important to do routine foundation inspections and quickly fix plumbing leaks as they come up.
How a Plumbing Professional Cure Your Crawl Space Woes
If you've noticed any of these signs in your crawl space, it's crucial to get help quickly. Black mold and mildew can grow rapidly when left untreated for too long!
BL3 Plumbing professionals are here to help with all your foundation and crawl space needs. We are Oklahoma City's most trusted plumbing team for homes that need expert service. Our team knows crawl spaces, and we can help you handle any potential leaks or plumbing problems – big or small.
When you schedule a visit from BL3 Plumbing, our team members will:
1. Inspect Your Crawl Space
A licensed plumber will take a look at your home's crawl space and foundation to help you identify any problems. We’ll take temperature readings to ensure there are no issues with freezing or leaking water.
2. Identify Problem & Solutions
We know that plumbing issues can be frightening, which is why we'll be as transparent as possible about the problem and any solutions. As we find issues with plumbing, pipes, or leaks, we’ll work with you to develop a plan to fix the problem.
3. Make Repairs
Once we have fully identified the problem, our team will make any necessary repairs. We work with all types of plumbing problems and can handle leaks or other issues you might be experiencing in your crawl space.
4. Prevent Future Problems
Many plumbing problems in crawl spaces can be prevented with the right care. Once we have made any necessary repairs, our team will work with you to develop a preventative plan to protect your home against any future plumbing issues.
Contact BL3 Plumbing for Home Winterization Today
By taking the time to ensure your piping and plumbing are in good condition, you'll be able to protect your home and foundation against any damage. Prevention today can save you from costly repairs in the future!
If you're concerned about your home's foundation or crawl space, contact BL3 Plumbing today. Our team is committed to keeping your home running smoothly all year long. We are Oklahoma City's most trusted plumbers for homes that need expert care!
