Water in your crawl area is more than an irritation; it can have disastrous effects on the value of your property. Mold can grow in regions where there is standing water or where there is constant moisture in the air. On the other hand, water in a crawlspace can cause rot and decay, weakening structural components and necessitating major architectural repairs. Moisture can attract termites, carpenter ants, and other insects that can cause damage to your home. Rats and raccoons are attracted to water under the house, which you want to prevent.
When you have a crawl space, one of the most vital things to do is remove the water, but it’s also something that many people put off. If you don’t take care of your crawl space, water will leak in, causing mold to grow and wreaking havoc on your home. Mold may wreak havoc on your home’s walls, floors, and other surfaces. At the very least, mold lowers the value of your home if you ever decide to sell it. It can even prevent you from selling! We understand the importance of this service because we’ve been doing it for a long time.
But don’t worry, we have got you covered; HydroHelp911 is the leading crawl space water removal company in Hickory and neighboring areas in North Carolina. We can swiftly, safely, and economically restore your house to its previous state. We will remove all excess water in your crawl space. Our professional and expert staff will work with you to identify whether any structural damage has occurred so that it may be rectified as soon as possible once the area has been completely dried up. We offer free estimates for every task, so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay for our services.
Causes of Water in Crawl Space
Water can enter a crawl space from multiple places. Groundwater, substantial rainfall, and plumbing leaks are just a few examples. In addition, groundwater or rainwater that seeps into the crawl space can enter through foundation fractures or leaks, drainage tile difficulties, or when gutter or downspout systems fail or are misdesigned. For further information on this subject, you can watch this video.
IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE WATER IN CRAWL SPACE
When you observe standing water on the ground, you must determine if the source is groundwater (water flowing in or seeping up from the earth) or above-grade (water flowing in or seeping up from the surface). A leak frequently causes above-grade water in plumbing fittings, drain pipes, or water supply pipes that run beneath the house’s floor.
BELOW GRADE WATER SOURCES
Water concerns below ground are more common during specific times of the year, particularly during wet months. So if you see more puddling water at these times on your periodic inspections, you’re probably dealing with water entering the crawl space from below grade, either as rain runoff or from a rising water table.
ABOVE GRADE WATER SOURCES
You may be dealing with the above-grade sources if the puddling water doesn’t seem to be altered by seasons or weather. However, plumbing issues with drain pipes or water supply pipes running beneath the floor in the crawl area are more likely to blame.
INTERIOR WATER ISSUES
Water vapor rising from the ground into the crawl space causes simple humidity problems. There will seldom be any puddling or pooling water in this case, but there may be widespread mildew or mold on the house’s timber framing. Without vapor barriers and appropriate ventilation, this can be a severe problem in crawl spaces.
However, laying a vapor barrier across the earth is frequently more cost-effective than dealing with serious groundwater issues. HydroHelp911 technicians are also great at installing crawl space vapor barriers in your crawl space. For more details on this matter, you can watch this video.
Crawl Space Water Removal Solutions followed by HydroHelp911
If there is any stagnant water in the crawl area, it must be drained first. Then, depending on the amount of water, a wet vacuum or sump pump can be used. A dehumidifier will help to reduce humidity levels and prevent mold growth. We often try to design a system that includes a perimeter trench, perforated pipe, gravel, and a sump pump to prevent water from gathering in the crawl space in the future. As experts in crawl space repair and maintenance, we also provide crawl space dehumidifier installation. You can watch this video.
An Efficient Method of Crawl Space Water Removal by HydroHelp911
The first step in clearing a flooded crawl space is to remove any standing water. Next, we suck up the water with a wet vac and dump it outside with only a few puddles. We also try brushing the water out with a push broom for widespread flooding that isn’t more than an inch deep. On the other hand, a general-purpose pump will accomplish the job faster and is the only viable alternative if the space is substantially flooded.
We place the pump’s suction hose into the floodwater and direct the drainage hose away from the home to remove water from your crawl space with a pump. The experts at HydroHelp911 take care that water should be released far enough away from the house to not flow back into the crawl area through the drainage line.
Care is taken that all moist items are removed from the crawl space while the pump is running. This includes any stored items, soaked insulation, and debris dragged in or knocked loose from the interior of the crawl space by floodwater. Wet items trap moisture, extending the time it takes to dry the area. For example, water-damaged insulation is no longer effective, so instead of attempting to dry it, we dispose of and replace it.
Drying out a Flooded Crawl Space by HydroHelp911
When all of the standing water has been removed, we proceed to the next step of completely drying the area. This includes the crawl space floor, the subflooring above the crawl space, and the wood frame. After removing mold and moldy materials, no puddles remain, and we ensure that no water is still entering the crawl area.
After that, the HydroHelp911 operators clean the surfaces inside the crawl space to prevent mold from spreading and contaminating your air and dehumidifier. Then we do a thorough check for any damage to the wiring or other concerns that might make using the outlets in or near the crawl space dangerous.
Next, we use a portable dehumidifier to dry out the crawl space. A large room dehumidifier will suffice for a small crawl area, but we may need to use a commercial-grade machine for a larger one. Set the dehumidifier to 30 to 45 percent humidity and keep it running for 8-10 hours so that the crawl space completely dries out.
Moisture is more easily absorbed by warm, flowing air. Place a low-heat source inside the crawl space, such as a light bulb and one or more electric fans, where they can blow air across damp surfaces to speed up the drying process.
HydroHelp911 suggests the following methods for preventing water from getting accumulated in your crawl space:
- Proper grading around the building directs moisture away from the structure
- Installation of, cleaning, and maintenance of gutters and downspouts
- Install downspout extensions and exit lines to divert water away from the design
- Waterproofing can be applied to both the inside and outside of a structure
- Using vapor barriers or encapsulation systems to separate the crawl space from the ground
- Crawl space ventilation should be installed, such as crawl space dehumidifiers and crawl space ventilation fans
FAQs
Why do I keep getting water in my crawl space?
A plumbing leak, water seepage from the surrounding soil (typically after heavy rain), or condensation are the most common water causes in the crawl space. Humidity condenses on cold surfaces like ducts and concentrates on the crawl space floor. These problems aren’t just confined to your crawl space.
Will a crawl space dry out on its own?
It is insufficient to let the crawl space dry on its own. First, you must guarantee that the region is free of moisture and humidity. Using large fans, dry the surfaces of your crawl space. This helps the drying process by increasing airflow across the region.
Is it normal to have water in the crawl space after rains?
It’s relatively uncommon to find water under the house after a heavy storm. Any water that does enter the crawl space should be rapidly drained or evaporated. It’s crucial to check your crawl space regularly. If not addressed, water infiltration that stays undetected for a long time can cause considerable damage.
How bad is water in the crawl space?
Although puddles of water in the crawl space area are unsightly, the water will not harm your home. Rot, mold, energy loss, and pest attraction are all caused by water vapor (or moisture). Upstairs, up to 50% of the air comes from the basement, which means mold spores, musty aromas, and humid air, which dust mites love.
