Updated October, 2022
Water in a crawl space can easily happen in climates that are prone to moisture and wet weather. Rainwater, groundwater, and plumbing leaks are the major sources of water in a crawl space. The accumulation of water beneath your home raises many dilemmas. It can damage the foundation of your home, become a breeding ground for mold and create cracks in the foundation wall.
In the rainy Pacific Northwest, it is imperative to understand how water can enter your crawl space and how you can prevent it from happening. If you live in states like Seattle and Oregon, you may want to be aware of your house’s crawl space conditions and have a plan for preventing water in a crawl space.
There are multiple preventive actions you can take to prevent water from accumulating in your crawl space. Along with the following valuable tips, another great way to prepare for any type of crawl space problem is to have a professional crawl space company, like Crawl Pros, phone number saved – ready to call when needed.
As soon as you discover water in your crawl space, the next thought that should cross your mind has to be: “How do I stop water from damaging my crawl space?”
Rainwater, groundwater and plumbing leaks are the major sources of water in a crawl space.
The accumulation of water beneath your home raises many dilemmas. It can damage the foundation of your home, become a breeding ground for mold and create cracks in the foundation wall.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent water from accumulating in your crawl space. Here are just a few of the main preventative steps.
Tips to Prevent Water in Crawl Space
While they are several solutions to address the presence of water in crawl spaces, all of them revolve around two fundamental ideas: interior waterproofing and exterior waterproofing.
Interior waterproofing is one which is implemented to eliminate any accumulated water in the crawl space.
On the other hand, exterior waterproofing attempts to cut the source of water leaks. Water is therefore intercepted before it can harm the foundations of crawl spaces.
There are several waterproofing tips you can take to prevent flooding. Here are just a few:
1. Know Your Home
How familiar are you with your home?
Whether you are a new homeowner or have been living at your home for a longer period of time, spend time looking around all areas of your home to see if there is a nearby source that may send water to the lower foundations of your home.
2. Install a French Drain
Many homeowners protect their crawl spaces by installing a french drain.
A french drain is a trench filled with pipe and gravel that helps divert water from your crawl space.
French drains prevent water from collecting and pooling in ares around your foundation and saturating the ground below.
3. Seal Cracks
When cracks emerge in crawl spaces, they provide a passageway for water to seep in. These cracks therefore become one of the major reasons behind the existence of water in crawl spaces.
Go around your crawl space and observe any cracks and identify spots that may become weaker with the passage of time. If you find any vulnerability, apply sealants to seal them.
4. Use a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are appliances that are used to remove moisture from air.
Add a humidifier in the mix to restrict water.
When humidity is high, it does not only increase water but also proves to be a breeding ground for mold and mildew, deteriorating the overall environment of the home.
5. Install a Sump Pump
When nothing works, consider installing a sump pump.
Sump pumps are appliances that are known for pumping out groundwater from homes. As a result, they directly block water’s access into crawl spaces.
Sump pumps are best installed by a professional contractor who is skilled in the correct placement, type and unit size.
When installed properly, a sump pump will reduce or eliminate water in your crawl space by diverting water away from your house.
Preventing Crawl Space Flooding is a Continuous Process
Weather prevails when trying to protect your home from flooding.
It takes work every year to ensure your home is protected from flooding.
But, with just a few preventative steps you can ensure your home will be safe and dry.
Need More info? Check our our blog for more tips to protect your home. Contact Crawl Pros to learn more about water removal and remediation services.