How to Treat Crawl Space Odor

When there is a crawl space odor it can spread to the rest of the home. Many houses are commonly built with a crawl space between the ground and the first floor. The builders do this so that they can have easy access to duct work, electrical wiring and other home utilities. You will not find this type of crawl space in a home that has a basement. Unfortunately, these crawl spaces typically have a dirt floor and will quite often get wet. This moisture can cause mold and mildew to appear subsequently cause an odor to appear.

Step 1 - Assess the Problem

When there is a crawl space odor there can be several reasons why that is occurring. You need to do a little investigation work by going directly to the crawl space. A metal or wood door should be present and you should be able to close it tightly and insulate it. If it is not secure it can allow crawl space odors to escape into the home. If the floor is dirt then assess the moisture level. If too much water vapor is entering the crawl space it can create a condition suitable for mold and mildew. The same can apply to concrete floor crawl spaces.

Step 2 - Dirt Floor Crawl Spaces

These are the most common of crawl spaces. In order to prevent a crawl space odor from developing in the future you should cover the dirt floor with a tarp or two. Weigh them down with cinder blocks to create a tight seal on top of the dirt. The tarp will help prevent water vapors from entering the crawl space. Mix up a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. Take the solution inside the crawl space and scrub down the walls. This will kill the mold that is currently in the crawl space. Make sure you wear a mask and gloves when you do this. To further protect against odor, install insulation between the joists of  the floor over the crawl space and add plastic sheeting to the door.

Step 3 - Concrete Floor Crawl Spaces

Many homeowners that have a concrete floor crawl space will tend to use them as storage areas. This can be good but it can also be very bad. Cardboard and any other type of celluloid material will become moldy and give off a mildew odor when let to sit in a moist environment. Remove any material like this then scrub the walls and floors with diluted bleach as you would in Step 2. Use a wet and dry shop vacuum to remove any standing water and a push broom to get to the back areas. Insulate the floor overhead and place a dehumidifier in the crawl space. This will help to dry the water inside the crawl space when it does show up and will keep the room from getting water vapor in the air.