What to Do When You Find Water in Your Crawl Space

Standing water in crawl space.

Many homeowners believe it’s normal for a crawl space foundation to be wet, but this is a myth. Even in high-precipitation climates like Seattle’s, water in a crawl space can harm your home and should be addressed as soon as possible. 

At PureDry, we’re committed to educating home and business owners about water damage prevention and solutions. In the following blog, we’ll discuss the dangers of water in a crawl space, along with what you can do about these dangers and when you should call a professional water damage service like us.

What Causes Water in a Crawl Space?

Water will usually enter a crawl space in one of three ways:

  • Condensation
  • Plumbing leaks
  • And water seeping in from the soil (often after storms and floods)

Regardless of how water enters your crawl space, it should be quickly removed. If it sits uninterrupted for a long period, it can cause serious home comfort problems.

Why is a Wet Crawl Space a Problem?

The real problem with a wet crawl space is the high moisture environment it creates. High moisture welcomes rot, pests, mold, and other intruders into your home, decreasing your property value and compromising your comfort. Let’s take a closer look at some of these potential issues.

Water in a Crawl Space Can Sit for Months or Years

Most people don’t check their crawl space very often. It isn’t much of a vacation spot, after all. Because of this, water in a crawl space can sit undisturbed for multiple years. During this time, the high moisture content can do serious damage to your foundation and indoor air quality.

What to Do

Long-standing water in a crawl space can be removed by a professional water damage service. At PureDry, we offer various solutions for a wet crawl space, using scientifically backed water extraction methods to eliminate puddles and high humidity alike.

Moisture Leads to Mold Growth and Rotting

Mold thrives in damp conditions, making wet crawl spaces the perfect breeding grounds. Damp conditions also promote rot. Not only does this weaken your home’s structural integrity, but it also affects your indoor air quality.

Humid air and mold spores can cause long-term health problems and increase your energy bills. This is because humid air is generally tougher for HVAC systems to heat or cool.

What to Do

Calling a water damage service company remains your best option here. Companies like PureDry should offer both residential and commercial mold removal services, presenting solutions for any type of building. A water damage expert can present you with several game plans for reducing crawl space moisture, such as:

  • Installing a dehumidifier for the crawl space.
  • Installing a vapor barrier.
  • Sealing openings and vents to regulate the crawl space’s air quality.

All these options should prevent excess moisture from rising into your home. By controlling your crawl space’s air quality, you remove a common threat to your home’s structural integrity.

Recurring Floods and Leaks in the Crawl Space

If water enters your crawl space once, it will likely do it again. Finding the source behind standing water in your crawl space will allow you to keep it out next time.

What to Do

If a flood or leak brings water into your crawl space foundation, have a plumber or water damage service inspect your home for leaks and broken fixtures. Depending on how often your property floods, you might consider changing the grading on your landscaping or installing a sump pump. Since the Seattle area experiences so much rain, a sump pump is recommended for just about every home around.

How to Remove Water From Your Crawl Space

Crawl spaces can be difficult to access, but it’s important to check on them now and then. If you find an excessive amount of water, here are some steps we recommend taking.

Determine if You Have Too Much Water in Your Crawl Space

Heavy rains are the norm in Washington, so how much water is too much? If you find a small patch of water in a crawl space, your home is likely fine. But if there are multiple puddles and you notice signs of rotting, it’s important to act fast. Removing water in a crawl space is not a recommended DIY project, so let’s look at what you can do instead.

Call a Professional Crawl Space Company

Even if you’re unsure how much water in a crawl space is too much, it’s a great idea to contact a water damage service. A trustworthy company will provide an on-site damage assessment and remove standing water if present. Water damage services like PureDry offer more than just water removal—they typically assist with mold removal and construction projects.

Remove Excess Water

If a water damage service finds you have excess water in your crawl space, they will remove that water using pumps, vacuums, and other high-grade equipment. PureDry offers residential and commercial water removal services, so whether you’re dealing with a damp crawl space at home or on the job, we have you covered. 

Install a Crawl Space Drain System

A water damage service can prevent future issues by installing a crawl space drain system outside your crawl space. Commonly used systems include sump pumps and French drains. A sump pump moves excess water out of your home, while a French drain removes excess water from your yard.

Replace Insulation

Your home’s insulation absorbs excess moisture coming from a crawl space. Wet insulation is often rendered useless, so a water damage service will usually inspect your walls to check for mold growth and damage to the insulation. They will make repairs and replacements as needed.

How to Keep Your Crawl Space Dry

The best ways to keep a crawl space dry are as follows:

  • Install a dehumidifier for the crawl space.
  • Install a sump pump for the crawl space.

These systems are exceptional lines of defense against moisture and standing water. What happens in your crawl space affects your entire home, so investing in these systems can help you stay healthy, lower energy bills, and remain comfortable year-round.

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Stay Dry With Seattle’s Water Damage Specialists

PureDry is Seattle’s trusted water damage service. We have helped our clients stay dry for years, providing quality, cost-effective solutions to the Pacific Northwest’s torrential rains. If you have water in your crawl space, it’s important to be vigilant. 

Our water damage experts can arrive promptly to perform a full damage assessment and determine your next steps. We handle everything from water removal to full water damage repair, so we’d be happy to restore your indoor comfort and protect you from future incidents.

You need comprehensive solutions, and you need them quickly, so contact our water damage experts today. We answer your calls 24/7, so don’t be shy!

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