1. Moisture
Moisture can enter your crawl space a few ways. Moisture in your crawl space can wreak havoc on your home. Moisture in your crawl space is the food that mold needs to grow, the mold on your wood can cause wood rot, and then is the perfect environment for bugs to invade.
2. Mold
Mold can cause some serious issues in your home. Mold causes wood rot and is a great place for termites to dig. The mold in your crawl space can seep through your floorboards and into your home. About 40% of the air in your home comes from your crawl space. Mold spores can seep through your floor boards and adversely change your home's air quality. Those with allergies and sensitivities could be effected. You could also have issues to your sub floor when the wooden beams are damaged over time.
3. Foundation Issues
When the wooden beams that hold up your home's structure are damaged due to insects, moisture and mold this can cause significant structural damage. Not only can encapsulating your crawl space save your home's structure, but can also save you money on energy bills.
4. Insulation Issues
When water invades your crawl space your insulation can absorb the moisture and over time becomes heavy and falls. Not properly insulating your crawl space can cause your home to lose its heating in the winter and AC in the summer, taking away from the efficiency of your home and raising your energy costs. Insulation in your crawl spaces makes a great nest for mice and other critters.
5. Critters
Even though the walls of your crawl space are made of concrete, it might not be as critter proof as you might think. With habitats of certain creatures starting to dwindle, they are in search of a new safe place to call home. The last thing you want is a nest of little animals making your home, their home. These creatures don't usually keep their home as tidy and clean as yours. They leave behind droppings that can affect your air quality and can get inside the home. You crawl space is also home to some important features of your home. Rodents like mice and squirrels could start chewing on any exposed wires and destroy insulation.
6. Insects
It's not just animals that love your crawl space. Bugs and insects also can invade these spaces and can cause major damage to your home. Termites are most active in moist wood. Termite damage to wood can be expensive to fix and takes away from the value of your home. Spiders, sprikets and ants are a few of the other little critters that love crawl spaces. And are always looking for an opportunity to come inside your home. There is nothing like finding a spider the size of a small dog in your shower first thing in the morning! Just eliminating the infestations won't totally cure your problem. You need to totally encapsulate the space to keep them out forever.