Humid summers, clay soil and hillside lots make crawlspace moisture one of the most common things we write up in Western North Carolina. Some dampness is normal. Standing water and wood rot are not.

Signs worth acting on

• Standing water after rain

• Torn or missing vapor barrier

• Sagging insulation or condensation on ductwork

• Soft or discolored floor framing

Typical fixes

Most crawlspaces improve a lot with good gutters, grading that slopes away from the house and an intact vapor barrier. Encapsulation and dehumidifiers help in tougher cases, but start with the water source.