What a damp crawl space looks like
Most people do not go into their crawl space. So moisture shows up upstairs first. Here is what to look and smell for:
A musty smell
An earthy, damp smell in the house, worst on humid summer days or when the air turns on.
Sagging insulation
Fiberglass batts that hang down, drip or have fallen onto the dirt.
Mold on the wood
White fuzz or dark spots on joists, beams and the underside of the floor.
Standing water
Puddles on the dirt or the plastic after rain, or a ring where water sat.
Wet plastic
Water beading on top of the vapor barrier, even in dry weather.
Rusty metal
Rust on ducts, pipes, nails or hangers.
Bugs and critters
Crickets, spiders, termites or mice that like damp, dark spaces.
Soft or bouncy floors
Floors that flex because the wood below is getting soft.
High power bills
An air system that runs harder because it is drying out damp air.