Loading this page…
A damp smell that rises from under the floor
The air in a crawl space does not stay there. We dry it out, take out what is wet and seal it so the house above stays fresh.
What is under the house is in the house
Air moves upward through floors, so a damp crawl space can make the whole first floor smell stale. Bare soil, wet insulation and a vent that lets in humid summer air all keep it damp.
We look at the soil, the insulation and any plastic that is already down. Then we dry the space, remove material that has grown mold and cover the soil so moisture stays out of the air.
Call us if
- The first floor smells musty in summer
- Insulation is sagging, dark or falling
- There is standing water or damp soil after rain
- Floors feel cold or soft above the crawl space
How the work goes
- Look underneathWe check access, soil, insulation, vents and any water coming in.
- Remove what is wetSoaked insulation and damaged material come out and are bagged.
- Dry the spaceDehumidifiers and fans run until the readings come down.
- Seal and coverA heavy plastic barrier goes over the soil and sealed to the walls.
What the work includes
- Inspection and readings
- Moisture and humidity readings in the crawl space and the floor above.
- Insulation removal
- Wet or moldy insulation removed and replaced where needed.
- Vapor barrier
- Plastic over the soil, overlapped and sealed.
- Drainage advice
- Where gutters, grading or a sump would cut the water that comes in.
Questions about this job
- Should I close the crawl space vents?
- It depends on the house. We check how the space is built and tell you what works for yours.
- Is the smell dangerous?
- A musty smell means something is damp. It is worth dealing with, and we do not use scare language about it.
- Can I inspect it myself?
- A flashlight and a look at the insulation and soil is a good start. If anything looks wet or dark, call us.
Related jobs
Book the free inspection
Tell us where you saw it and what town you are in. We come out, read the moisture and send a written estimate.
(518) 767-7994
Free inspection and a written estimate