August Moisture Could Be Undermining Your Home—Here’s What to Do
If you live in Metairie or the surrounding areas, you already know how punishing August weather can be. Sudden downpours, thick humidity, and relentless heat create the perfect conditions for one of the most overlooked threats to your home: crawl space water damage.
While most homeowners focus on what they can see—like damp carpet, peeling paint, or warped flooring—the real trouble often begins in the unseen space beneath your house. Crawl spaces can soak up gallons of moisture, threatening your foundation, indoor air quality, and long-term home stability.
At ServiceMaster Elite Cleaning Services, we’ve helped countless local homeowners identify and resolve crawl space moisture problems before they spiral into major damage. Whether you live in Metairie, Kenner, LaPlace, or Jefferson Parish, now’s the time to take a closer look beneath your floors.
Why August Weather Is a Crawl Space’s Worst Enemy
August in Southeast Louisiana isn’t just hot—it’s oppressively humid and frequently stormy. When the rain falls on already saturated soil, hydrostatic pressure builds around your foundation. In places like Metairie, where clay-heavy soil is common, that pressure can push water straight into your crawl space.
Combine that with poor drainage and stagnant air, and your home could be facing problems that won't dry out on their own.
Here’s why crawl spaces are especially vulnerable in August:
High humidity slows evaporation, allowing moisture to linger for weeks.
Flat yards or improper grading direct water toward your home’s foundation.
Blocked or undersized crawl space vents trap moisture like a sealed container.
HVAC ductwork running through crawl spaces can absorb moisture and circulate it indoors.
Wet crawl spaces create perfect conditions for mold, wood rot, and pests.
Many older homes in areas like Old Metairie were not built with today’s drainage challenges in mind.
Over time, moisture buildup can lead to buckling floors, moldy walls, structural deterioration, and even cracked foundations.
Signs Your Crawl Space Has Water Damage—And What to Watch For
Crawl space water damage is sneaky. You might not see the water itself, but you’ll feel its effects throughout your home.
Watch for these warning signs:
A persistent musty smell on the first floor.
Creaky, warped, or uneven floors.
High indoor humidity despite running your A/C.
Mold growth around baseboards, vents, or corners.
Condensation on ductwork or plumbing near the crawl space.
Sudden insect problems, especially termites or roaches.
Allergy symptoms or respiratory irritation that won’t go away.
If you’ve noticed any of these, don’t wait—schedule a professional inspection. At ServiceMaster Elite, we use specialized tools like thermal imaging and moisture meters to assess what’s happening under your floors. Because what you can’t see can hurt your home.
Why a Damp Crawl Space Affects Your Whole Home
Water doesn’t stay in one place—it moves. And when it starts in the crawl space, it can work its way up, affecting the entire indoor environment.
Here’s how crawl space moisture creates problems upstairs:
Mold spores travel through air vents and floorboards, triggering allergies and asthma.
Wood floors and drywall absorb moisture, warping and weakening over time.
High humidity increases bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens.
Musty air makes your home feel stale, no matter how much you clean.
Cleaning becomes more difficult—damp surfaces hold onto grime and odors.
Moisture-related odors can make your home feel less fresh and welcoming.
If you’ve been battling stubborn smells, allergy flare-ups, or surfaces that never seem clean, your crawl space may be the hidden culprit.
How We Restore and Protect Damp Crawl Spaces
When it comes to crawl space moisture, DIY fixes rarely go far enough. Professional remediation is the safest and most effective route. At ServiceMaster Elite, we follow industry best practices to dry, clean, and protect your home from future moisture problems.
Here’s how we do it:
Remove standing water using high-powered pumps and vacuums.
Dispose of soaked insulation, debris, and contaminated materials.
Deploy industrial-strength air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the space.
Apply antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold, mildew, and bacteria.
Install vapor barriers to keep ground moisture from seeping back in.
Recommend any needed repairs to floor joists or subfloor materials.
Re-insulate only once the area is fully dry and humidity-controlled.
These steps don’t just fix a wet crawl space—they help restore the overall health and safety of your home.
What Makes Metairie Homes Especially Vulnerable
Your crawl space challenges are tied not just to weather, but to local building practices and environmental factors. In areas like Bucktown, Lake Villa, and parts of Jefferson Parish, many homes were built with shallow foundations or pier-and-beam designs that struggle with Louisiana’s wet soil and heavy rainfall.
Some common challenges in the Metairie area include:
Poor soil drainage that holds water long after rainstorms.
Aging drainage systems that no longer divert water properly.
Low-lying yards that collect runoff from neighboring properties.
High water tables that keep crawl spaces damp even during dry weeks.
Post-hurricane rebuilds that skipped critical moisture protection steps.
Ignoring your crawl space can lead to major structural issues—including sagging floors, foundation cracks, and shifting walls.
A Hidden Safety Hazard: Slippery Floors from Crawl Space Moisture
One surprising side effect of crawl space moisture is how it contributes to slick indoor surfaces. Moisture can travel upward through porous materials like wood, tile grout, and even concrete slabs—making your floors damp without you noticing.
This can result in:
Slippery tile or vinyl floors in bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways.
Dampness beneath rugs or rubber-backed mats.
Recurring floor stains or streaks even after mopping.
Potential fall hazards, especially for children or older adults.
If you’ve had unexplained slips or constantly wet flooring, it’s worth investigating the moisture levels beneath your home.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Crawl space moisture damage won’t go away on its own. But with proactive attention, it can be fixed—and even prevented. Whether your home is in Metairie, Kenner, LaPlace, or nearby, ServiceMaster Elite Cleaning Services can help you get ahead of the issue.
Our team knows how Southeast Louisiana weather affects foundations, and we bring the tools and local expertise needed to restore and protect your home.
Contact us today to schedule a crawl space evaluation and find out what’s really going on beneath your floors. Let’s keep your home safe, dry, and comfortable—starting from the ground up.
