Moisture surrounding the home can lead to damage to the home’s structure. Not only can the moisture in the air itself be absorbed by the home, leading to rot and mold, but the moisture in the ground can also cause damage. Therefore, it’s important to check for moisture under your house regularly and take steps to correct any issues that are found.

How to Check for Moisture Under Your House

Checking for moisture under your house is not a difficult task, but it requires access to the areas beneath your home. Many homes are built with crawl spaces that allow access to the underside of the house; if your home does not have a crawl space, you may need to contact a professional home inspector or crawl space repair professional to check for moisture.

If you have a crawl space, enter the space with a flashlight and inspect the following areas for signs of moisture:

• Floor joists: Inspect the wooden beams that support the floor of your home. If they are damp or moldy, there may be moisture entering the space from the ground or from the outside air.
• Foundation walls: Check the walls of your home’s foundation for signs of moisture. If the walls are damp or wet, there may be a leak in the foundation or in the plumbing system.
• Ground: Look at the ground in the crawl space. If the ground is damp or wet, there may be a drainage problem or a leak in the plumbing system.
• Pipes: Inspect the pipes that run through the crawl space for leaks. If you see any leaks, you should contact a plumber to have them repaired.

If you find any signs of moisture, you should take steps to correct the problem as soon as possible. Letting moisture go uncorrected can lead to serious damage to your home.