A crawl space is a challenging and sometimes scary space. It’s also one of the most important spaces in your home. A functional, well-designed crawl space provides the perfect environment for rodents, bats, and other pests to nest and breed. Unfortunately it can quickly become overrun if it isn’t kept clean. A leaky pipe in your crawl space is one of the five common dangers that lurk in your home’s lower level. If you ignore the problem long enough or don’t take appropriate measures to counteract it, a leaky pipe can cause extensive damage to the structure of your home — not to mention your wallet as repair costs mount up over time. Keep reading to learn more about how a leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space can cost you in the long run.
A Leaky Pipe in Your Home’s Crawl Space Can Be Costly
After a crawl space is finally dry, you can forget about the idea of keeping it that way. Water, coupled with a warm climate, is a perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive. Molds may produce allergens that cause asthma and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals. They may also cause damage to your home’s structural components including wiring, plumbing, and walls. A leaky pipe in your crawl space not only causes extensive damage to your home’s structure, but also to your wallet as repair costs soar over time. The worst part about a leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space is that you may not even be aware of the problem. Water can remain hidden under floors, walls, and ceilings, and a leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space can go undetected for a long time before it becomes a problem. Once the damage has been done, however, it’s too late to reverse the damage. You’ll need to call in a crawl space remediation company to assess the problem, remove the pipe, and clean up the mess.
It’s Not Just Mold You Have to Watch Out For
Mold and mildew are two common problems that plague a crawl space that has a leaky pipe. A leaky pipe in your crawl space, however, can also result in water damage. The damage caused by mold and mildew, however, can easily be prevented by following a few simple rules. Follow the rules for providing adequate ventilation, keeping the area dry, and maintaining a temperature level of between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Mold and mildew are often associated with water damage in a home’s crawl space. Water from a leaky pipe in your crawl space can cause both types of damage to your home’s structure. Water damage can be difficult to detect, but it’s still important to address the leakage as soon as possible. If you’re not sure if your home has a leaky pipe, call a company like Critter Control.
The Problem with Standing Water
One of the most common dangers of a leaky pipe in your home is standing water. Standing water, whether from a leaking pipe or from a damaged water line, is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in standing water that can later hatch into larvae, which can grow into adult mosquitoes that may pose serious health threats to people and pets, as well as other creatures in your neighborhood. Standing water may also cause damage to your home’s structural components including wiring, plumbing, and walls. Structural damage caused by a leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space can be difficult to detect, but it can still be costly to repair. If a leaky pipe causes structural damage, you may be better off hiring a remediation company to assess the damage and extract the pipe.
Rats Are Everywhere
If a leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space creates standing water, you may also have to deal with rats. Bats, rats, and other rodents are attracted to crawl spaces that contain standing water. Once they’re in your home, they can wreak havoc on your electrical system, infest your kitchen, and cause significant damage to your home’s structure. Rat damage can be difficult to detect, and it can be expensive to repair. If you’re worried about rats in your home’s crawl space, be sure to seal any leaks in the area and call in a crawl space remediation company to remove any standing water.
Other Pests Take Advantage of a Damp Environment
A leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space isn’t the only danger lurking. The area may also be a convenient location for other pests to set up shop. Wasps, centipedes, spiders, snakes, and other creatures may be drawn to a damp environment in the area. If you find yourself dealing with any of these dangers, you’ll need to call in a remediation company to remove any leaky pipe and clean up any standing water. While the process of cleaning up after a leaky pipe isn’t easy, it’s crucial to prevent further damage to your home’s structure and your wallet as repair costs mount up.
Summary
Crawling underneath your home is one of the most challenging and rewarding things you can do for your home. It provides the perfect environment for rodents, bats, and other pests to nest and breed. Unfortunately, it can quickly become overrun if it isn’t kept clean. A leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space is one of the five common dangers that lurk in your home’s lower level. If you ignore the problem long enough or don’t take appropriate measures to counteract it, a leaky pipe can cause extensive damage to the structure of your home — not to mention your wallet as repair costs mount up over time. Keep reading to learn more about how a leaky pipe in your home’s crawl space can cost you in the long run.
