How To Remove Water In A Crawlspace – Step By Step Guide
Water In Your Crawlspace?
Having water in a crawlspace can be a problem. But it doesn’t have to be. This blog post will discuss how to remove water in a crawlspace and detail the process you need to follow.
What Is A Crawlspace?
A crawlspace is an area under a building that can be entered through trapdoors in the floors of closets, utility rooms, etc. Many have small entry doors from outside, often very difficult to access without crawling under decks or through tight spaces. Crawlspaces are often used as utility areas where the furnace system will be as well as plumbing and electrical. If the area is at least 3’ deep the property will have additional room for equipment and storage.
Why Do I Need To Worry About Water In My Crawlspace?
Water can cause structural damage to the home if it is not dried up. Water will also absorbs into the wood substrates, which can reduce its strength and cause mold. Many homeowners find mold growing in their crawlspaces since they are dark and moist. The absence of UV lighting is major cause of mold in the crawlspace.
Another problem with water in a crawlspace is that it can evaporate into the living areas of your home through doors or vents. This causes a highly humid environment, leading to mold, mildew, and fungi growth problems.
Why Is Water In Crawlspace Dangerous?
When water is present in a crawlspace, the ground underneath it can shift. Basements especially have been known to suffer from cracks and buckling when water is not removed prior to building a foundation over a crawlspace. Knowing how to remove water in a crawlspace can limit damages and save you many dollars in repair cost.
Wood rots when it gets wet and mold spores carry on the wind throughout your home. If you have a crawlspace, make sure it’s free and clear of water and then seal any cracks that would lead to leaking.
How Can I Tell If There Is Water In My Crawlspace?
There are several signs that there might be water in your crawlspace:
- The carpet and pad feel squishy.
- You can see puddles of water around the crawlspace and under and behind the appliances.
If you suspect that there is water in your crawlspace, then it’s time to do something about it.
Causes Of Water In Crawlspace
There are several reasons why you might have water in your crawlspace. The two primary sources that cause leaking into a crawlspace are rainwater and condensation.
Make sure to install gutters around the perimeter of your home to ensure that rainwater doesn’t wash away soil under your crawlspace. And make sure to cover your vents with screens to keep out anything that might cause condensation.
4 Common Causes Include:
1) Crawlspace Condensation
Condensation is where water starts to appear in your crawlspace, and it can be a serious problem if not dealt with quickly.
Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with surfaces that are normally relatively dry like concrete or wood beams. This moisture collects on surfaces and forms water.
2) Crawlspace Vents
Your vents are an important part of your crawlspace. They allow for airflow to help with the ventilation in the crawlspace. If they are not dealt with, you will have problems with mold or mildew forming in your crawlspace.
Several Vent Issues Include:
- Poorly sealed vents which cause conditioned air to escape, leading to condensation inside the crawlspace.
- Clogged vents which suffocate your crawlspace of fresh air. There are essentially two types of vents that you might have in your crawlspace: screened and solid.
Screened vents provide airflow to the crawlspace, but they also allow for insects, rodents or rain into the area. Solid vents prevent moisture and other debris from entering the crawlspace.
However, they also prevent airflow. To ensure that you get a proper flow of air into your crawlspace, install both types of vents to allow for cross ventilation.
3) Leaks In The Perimeter Around Your Home
In many cases heavy rain water from outside will find its way into your crawlspace. This can be from cracks in the foundation, from gaps around vents and pipes and even poorly sealed access doors. Such circumstances have lead many to run to their computer and frantically type in a search engine, “how to remove water in a crawlspace that is flooded.”
Sometimes it can be challenging to tell where all of the leaks are coming from as they might be hidden behind insulation or walls inside your crawlspace.
4) Improper Grading Of Soil Around Your Crawlspace
Improper grading of soil around your crawlspace also contributes to the problem. If there is a difference in height between the foundation and the grade then water will seep into your crawlspace and take any path it can find to get inside.
As you can see, you need to make sure that everything is sealed up properly so that no water can come inside.
Can Water In Crawlspace Harmful?
In short, yes. Water in a crawlspace can be dangerous for a number of reasons. The most obvious danger is that the excess water will eventually cause damage to your home’s foundation and structure.
If not immediately, certainly over time it will lead to structural issues with your foundation that could have been prevented with proper maintenance.
Can I Remove Water In Crawlspace By Myself?
If there is a small amount of water in your crawlspace, then you should be able to take care of the problem yourself. However, if there is a lot of water and you decide to go it alone: don’t.
You could cause more damage than good by trying to fix or remove the issue on your own. Hiring a professional to do the job right will save you time and money in the long run. You can contact us for a estimate cost for crawlspace clean up.
There are several steps that will allow you to take care of water removal in your crawlspace yourself. Go over each step carefully before deciding to start doing it.
How To Remove Water In A Crawlspace: Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Identify The Source Of Water In Your Crawlspace.
If you have water in a visible part of your crawlspace, chances are pretty high that it is coming from condensation and humidity outside.
A good way to check this is to inspect any windows and doors leading into the crawlspace and find any cracks where water may leak into and then evaporate in the space.
You’ll also want to inspect around plumbing pipes, light fixtures, and holes where cables enter the crawlspace. Knowing how to remove water in a crawlspace requires learning first the source of the intrusion so it does not flood again.
Step 2: Seal Up Any Cracks With Caulk Or Spray Foam (Recommended).
Caulk and spray foam are great ways to seal up any cracks you find, as well as any holes where cables enter the crawlspace.
Make sure to apply these materials about a foot beyond the visible crack or hole to make sure it forms a tight seal.
Step 3: Protect Your Crawlspace From Water With Plastic Sheeting And Tape (Recommended).
Water getting into your crawlspace is a big problem, but water evaporating from your crawlspace is also a big problem. Water vapor can cause massive structural damage as well as mildew and mold growth.
Protecting your crawlspace with plastic sheeting will protect it from evaporating moisture that could ruin the insulation and destroy the house’s structure.
Using tape, secure the edges of your plastic sheeting to the floor joists above. To ensure you completely seal in the crawlspace, make sure to tape over any penetrations (i.e., HVAC vents).
Step 4: Dry Out Your Crawlspace With Dehumidifiers Or Ventilation Fans.
It is important to dry out the crawlspace as quickly as possible. You can use ventilation fans or dehumidifiers to remove any high levels of moisture from your crawlspace.
Make sure to check the humidity with a humidity gauge before and after you turn on such devices to ensure that they effectively increase airflow and lower humidity.
In some instances a crawl space dehumidifier is recommended when there exists excessively humidity. This will reduces the chance of mold in a crawlspace. Many do not know when there is excessive moisture present but knowing how to remove high humidity is as equally important as knowing how to remove water in a crawlspace.
Step 5: Keep Humidity In Your Crawlspace Below 50%.
Humidity in a crawlspace should be between 30 and 50 percent. To keep humidity at this level permanently, you can use ventilation fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture from the air when necessary. Keeping the humidity at this level will ensure that your crawlspace is protected from moisture and structural damage.
Step 6: Replace Damaged Insulation In Your Crawlspace.
All this humidity can really take a toll on the integrity of your insulation, making it less effective. Replace any damaged insulation to make sure you are getting the most out of your insulation.
Replacing insulation usually means more work than insulating in the first place, but it will be worth it when you are no longer having to deal with water in your crawlspace.
Step 7: Maintain Your Crawlspace With Regular Cleaning.
After you have taken the necessary steps to remove water from your crawlspace, it is important to maintain this by keeping moisture levels low and preventing groundwater logs.
Periodically inspect around the foundation of your home for any standing water or dampness that could indicate a new leak. Sweep out any water from the crawlspace as needed and make sure to dry up standing water quickly.
Prevention is key to maintaining a healthy, dry crawlspace that won’t damage your home. By properly maintaining the grading of soil around your foundation and making sure no leaks or cracks are leading into your crawlspace, you can save yourself time and money in the long run.
How To Prevent Water Entering Your Crawlspace In Future?
Finally, a common question is how to prevent water from entering your crawlspace in future. Below are some good tips for this.
- Make sure grading of soil around the foundation of your home does not lead water into the crawlspace
- Fix any cracks leading into the crawlspace before they start leaking
- Ensure that all window and door frames are watertight and sealed
- Never block access to any vent pipes or ducts, as these need a way out of the crawlspace
How To Ensure Water Will Not Enter Crawlspace If It Haven’t Entered Yet?
If your crawlspace hasn’t yet experienced any leaks or damage, then make sure you are maintaining it properly. Keep the grading of soil around the foundation of your home in check to ensure that no water can enter the crawlspace.
Make sure your windows and doors are sealed if they lead into the crawlspace, as well as ensuring there are no cracks leading into the crawlspace.
NEVER block any vent pipes or ducts, as they need a way out of your crawlspace. It is also important to keep an eye on humidity levels in the crawlspace and make sure ventilation is taking place with fans or dehumidifiers.
Regularly clean out any water from the crawlspace to maintain its integrity. Finally, make sure to prevent water from entering by covering your crawlspace with plastic sheeting.
What Are The Benefits Of Insulating A Crawlspace?
Insulating a crawlspace is a great way to save money on energy bills and make your house more comfortable, as insulation is proven to reduce temperature fluctuations throughout the home. It also helps if you want to sell your house in the future. Prospective buyers are likely to see insulating a crawlspace as adding value and will likely pay more for a house with insulated crawlspace.
Equally important, insulating will save you money on energy bills in the long run because crawlspace insulation works to block heat loss. Heat is lost through conduction, which means that not hot materials lose energy to surrounding objects until they reach the appropriate temperature. Insulating your crawlspace will cut down on the amount of energy lost through conduction, saving money on heating and cooling.
When Should You Call A Team For Removing Water In A Crawlspace?
If you find that you cannot take care of the water issue by yourself, whether it is because you do not have time or expertise or because the problem is too big for you, then hire a team.
There’s no shame in asking for help; it might even make your problem easier to deal with. Be aware of scams, though. Choose your team carefully and do not pay until you are fully satisfied with their work. You can contact us today and we’ll get to you as soon as possible.
Always choose a team that has experience in your type of issue. If they are not licensed or insured, then they are only out to make money and cannot be trusted. Make sure they can provide references from previous customers.
Also use common sense. Do not go for the cheapest company, instead look for one that is well-reviewed by past customers and can provide guarantees on their work. Look out for warning signs such as a company that will not give you a quote in writing, or one that refuses to talk on the phone.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your research!
If your problem is not an emergency (i.e., water leaking into your crawlspace) then most reputable companies will be happy to come out and give you a quote. If you have time, do some browsing online for reviews from past customers so that you can find out how they dealt with similar issues in the past.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide for how to remove water from your crawlspace. If you have any questions about the process or want help with another aspect of home renovation, contact us today!
Our team at Action Extraction restoration services will happily talk through any project and provide top quality customer service every time. We also offer free estimates so that our clients can feel confident they are hiring an experienced company who will deliver on their promises.
Let us know if there is anything at all we can do for you–we’re here for you 24/7! Call Today 586-949-4448. Hopefully we have given comprehensive steps in how to remove water in a crawlspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Q) What should I do if I have water in my crawlspace?
- 2. A) The first step to take is to identify the source of the water.
Once you know where the water is coming from, you can begin taking care of the problem. If it is condensation, you can seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk. If it appears to be coming from a vent pipe or swamp cooler, then the problem may lie within your ductwork–contact us for help.
- 3. Q) What should I do if the water is not draining away?
- 4. A) You need to find out where it’s coming from so that you can treat the problem. First, check for cracks in your crawlspace floor and walls where water might be entering. If there are no visible signs of cracks, then you will likely need to contact a team to help you remove water from a crawlspace.
- 5. Q) How can I stop this from happening again?
- 6. A) First, find out where the water is coming from and fix it. This will eliminate your problem for good! Next, cover your crawlspace with plastic sheeting so that no additional water gets in. Finally, install a dehumidifier or put some fans in your crawlspace to dry out the air.
- 7. Q) What should I do in case of a flood?
- 8. A) In a flood, you will need to contact a team immediately. If the water is starting to rise, then put everything you can up on shelves or countertops. If it starts to look like an emergency situation with floodwaters quickly approaching, then evacuate immediately.
- 9. Q) What if I don’t notice the water in time?
- 10. A) That is why it is important to check in with your crawlspace regularly and monitor its conditions. First, look for cracks in walls and floors where water might be getting in. If you spot any, then it’s remove the water by following our guide!