Will Crawl Space Damage Go Away Over Time?

When you’re faced with some manner of crawl space damage, it can be tempting to ignore the problem until it goes away. Unfortunately, the damage to your crawl space isn’t going to disappear once the most recent rainstorm in your area passes through. Leaving that kind of damage to sit can be dangerous both for the safety of your family and for the overall value of your home. 

Worsening Damage 

The longer you allow moisture to get into your crawl space, the worse the damage in that part of your home is going to be. For example, moisture that gets into your crawl space during a thunderstorm isn’t immediately going to allow mold spores to sprout. However, if you let puddles of water sit in your crawl space for weeks at a time, they can foster a degree of humidity that can allow mold to take root. 

It isn’t just mold that gets worse the longer you allow your crawl space to remain damp. Wood rot spreads faster when it’s in a humid location. Your insulation can start to wilt or rot when exposed to moisture for an extended period. You may start to notice your energy bill rising as a result of this lack of protection, even if you cut back on your usage elsewhere in your home. 

Crawl Space Damage and Your Home’s Value 

Water-damaged crawl spaces do more than raise your electric bills. They also actively lower the value of your home. If you want to sell your home, for example, but the crawl space and its insulation are water damaged, you’ll have a more difficult time connecting with buyers. You’ll still be able to list your home on the market, but you will have to note that your home has suffered from damage that you haven’t repaired. 

Noting the presence of damage in your home does more than drive off buyers. If you do find someone who wants to purchase your home, you risk losing up to 30 percent of your home’s market value in the final sale. Buyers, after all, will want to be compensated for any repairs they have to make throughout your home. Before you put your home on the market, it’s important to weigh the cost of investing in early repairs versus the losses you may take listing a damaged home.