Crawl space encapsulation in Omaha is crucial for eliminating crawl space smells and addressing associated issues. The unique climate in Omaha, marked by varying temperatures and moisture levels, can create an environment conducive to mold, mildew, and musty odors in crawl spaces. Encapsulation involves sealing the crawl space with a moisture barrier, preventing excess humidity and water vapor from infiltrating the space. This not only eliminates the conditions that foster unpleasant smells but also inhibits the growth of mold and fungi. The musty odors often result from the accumulation of moisture, which, when left unaddressed, can permeate the entire home. Crawl space encapsulation is, therefore, an effective solution to maintain a dry and healthy environment, preventing undesirable smells, potential structural damage, and health issues associated with mold and dampness.
You may have smell and moisture-related issues in your home if your crawl space is wet and not cleaned. Standing water and water leakages in the crawl space are the common causes of musty smells and odours in the home. Over time, the water can lead to bacteria and mold that can be harmful to you and your family members. Exposure to moulds can also cause a wide range of health-related issues such as skin rashes, runny nose, sneezing, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, itchy eyes, and depression.
Contact the crawl space repair service provider immediately if you notice any water leakage, damage, high humidity, standing water, or odours in your crawl space. Avoiding these issues can create major problems. Luckily, you can also remove bad smells and moulds by eliminating the sources of moisture and smell. In this session, you will find the leading causes of the wet, musty smell and how to remove it.
The causes of smells from the crawl space
Noticing that your home’s crawl space is starting to smell could be because of:
- Standing water
- Sewage leaks
- leakage
- Dead animals and their waste
- Rodent droppings
- Mildew and mold commonly produce foul odours
- Moisture from outside
- Trash and other stored items
- Rot
- Product or chemical used to fix crawl space
- The soil beneath
Once the sources of musty smells have been properly removed, the smell should go away. You can also contact the service provider of crawl space encapsulation in order to check the causes of humidity and smell.
Best tips to eliminate crawl space smell
Here are different methods that can help you to eliminate the smells
Use an ozone generator
If you’re looking to prevent future moisture issues in your crawl space, investing in professional Crawl Space Waterproofing services can provide a long-term solution. By sealing off the space from moisture intrusion, you can effectively eliminate the root cause of odors and mold growth, ensuring a healthier environment for your home.
- Clean your crawl space and remove the visible source of odours
- Set timer on the ozone generator
- Leave the crawl space before the ozone generator starts producing ozone
- Allow it to run for at least 2-3 hours
- In order to step inside the crawl space, wait for at least 50-60 minutes after ozone generation ends
Use vinegar and baking soda.
A combination of baking soda and vinegar helps get rid of odours from space. You follow these steps to remove unwanted smells from the crawl space by using baking soda and vinegar.
- Mix one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar
- Wait for the fizzling to finish
- Add 3 cups of water to the mixture of baking soda and vinegar
- Use a spray bottle to store the solution
- Spray it in the crawl space
- In order to eliminate the odours, you can also scrub down surfaces
Note:- If you are planning to clean your crawl space, sprinkle this solution and leave it for at least two days before cleaning.
Use odour eliminator
An odor eliminator is the best and most effective way to eliminate odor from the crawl space. They work by absorbing moisture and a musty smell without covering them up. Here are the steps to using an odor eliminator:
- Remove the layers of plastic wrap
- Place the net bag in the crawl space near the area where the smell exists
- Leave it in the crawl space for at least 7-8 hours
You can also consider Van Den Heuvel’s R86 to remove the smell. It comes in the form of crystals. You can use it for dry and well applications. Here are the steps to use Van Den Heuvels R86:
- Sprinkle the crystals in the crawl space
- Wait for at least 30 minutes to absorb the smells
- Sweep up the crystals
Use a dehumidifier
If there is a buildup of humidity in the crawl space, a dehumidifier can help you to remove bad smells. It works by removing moisture from the air. Many crawl space repair service providers utilise a dehumidifier to decrease the humidity and eliminate smells. It is one of the best options to control the growth of dust mites and mold. A dehumidifier helps draw air over cold coils, condense out moisture and pass warm air over the area.
Aprilaire 1820 Pro and The Waykar 2000 Sq. Ft dehumidifiers are the best dehumidifier for crawl space moisture. Here are the steps to use this product:
- Place the dehumidifier in your space
- Turn it on
- Set the optimal relative humidity to between 30 -50%
- Allow it to run through different cycles
You can do different things to keep your crawl space smell clean and fresh. Some of them are given below:
- Put a moisture barrier down on the ground in order to block out water and smells
- Add vents so humidity and moisture can escape
- Waterproof your foundation to keep out moisture and water
- In order to pull moisture out of the air, use a dehumidifier
- Prevent the crawl space from flooding
- Completely clean out the crawl space
- Install a new vapour barrier
- Contact expert for crawl space encapsulation
Final words:-
If you are suffering from bad smells caused by standing water in your crawl space, the key to getting rid of smells is to dry your crawl space out. Before removing the smell from your crawl space, make sure you keep yourself safe. Always wear long pants, boots, thick rubber gloves, and long sleeves. If you don’t know how to perform this task, contacting a service provider of crawl space repair is the best option. They will help you clean your house, repair your crawl space and remove the musty smell. Their crawl space encapsulation service can also help you prevent the buildup of poisonous gas and prevent crawl space damage.
