Introduction

Pier and Beam foundations are very popular in the Dallas – Fort Worth area. Well-built pier and beam foundation homes can have many advantages, including less susceptibility to flooding, easy access to plumbing and electrical hardware, greater resistance to shifting soil and, in some cases, easier and less costly repairs than other types of foundations. 

While moisture in the crawl space of any type of home is not advisable, it can be especially harmful to a pier and beam foundation. Keep reading to learn why and what you can do to keep your foundation functioning properly for years to come. 

Why Proper Ventilation Is Important

The primary component in most pier and beam foundations is wood. Wood is a strong, durable and relatively inexpensive building material. However, even the pressure-treated varieties of wood can be damaged by excessive moisture. Moisture causes mold, which can damage the foundation and reduce its structural integrity. Mold is also harmful to humans, as studies have shown people living in homes with excessive mold have higher incidences of asthma and rhinitis. 

Prevention is always easier and less expensive than mediation of mold issues. The best way to prevent mold from entering your home’s crawl space is to ensure the crawl space is properly ventilated. Ventilation allows for air circulation which prevents moisture from sticking around long enough to do any damage to your home. 

How Are Ventilation Issues Fixed?

If you notice excessive moisture and/or mold in your crawl space, you should call a foundation repair expert like Maestro’s Foundation Repair right away. Like many issues around the home, moisture problems only get worse with time. Often, early detection can lead to a less expensive and less invasive solution. 

If you do give us a call to inspect your crawl space, you can expect a comprehensive review of the damage and what’s causing it. If there’s no damage to the foundation, we can often eliminate the moisture issues by adding additional ventilation to your crawl space. If there is damage, we may be able to cost-effectively repair only the damaged areas without having to rebuild the entire foundation. 

Conclusion

Moisture in the crawl space is harmful to all types of homes, but particularly bad for Pier and Beam foundations. Moisture allows mold to form, which not only reduces the strength of your home but can also create an unhealthy living environment. Like many home repair issues, the best solution is prevention. Maestro’s Foundation Repair can evaluate, inspect and repair your damp crawl space by adding additional ventilation. Give us a call today (817.873.8183) for a free, no-obligation estimate.