A crawl space can be quite handy. It can be a great storage space for items you don’t need to access very often. It also works as a good source of insulation for your home. Additionally, it can provide access to workers for repairs on some pipes and other issues. However, unfortunately, it also can become flooded, which can result in water damage.
Water Damage In Your Crawl Space
Moisture is a real problem in crawl spaces. These spaces can easily have water enter them or even become flooded. Then, since crawl spaces are often left unused for significant periods of time, it is easy for this space to experience significant water damage as well as mold growth.
A crawl space can easily be flooded when heavy rains occur or as snow melts. The water could seep in slowly at first but will likely increase over time as the area the water enters through becomes larger. Then, the whole area may become flooded on a frequent basis. If this happens, pests could infest the crawl space, and the foundation may even crack. This is a serious issue, and it’s important that a homeowner deal with this problem quickly.
Signs of Water Damage
It’s important for homeowners to periodically check the crawlspace to look for signs of water damage, so it can be repaired before serious damage occurs. Some signs of water damage are:
- Sagging Floorboards: If the floorboards located above your crawlspace start to sag, this could mean that there is rotting wood underneath your floor. If you do not notice and take care of this quickly, you may need to completely replace these floorboards.
- Clogged pipes: If you notice the smell of sewage coming from your crawlspace, it’s possible that your pipes have become clogged as a result of flooding.
- Musty Odor: Crawlspaces will sometimes also develop a musty odor; if this is the case, the crawlspace may have mold growth due to water damage. Although, you may need to check your crawlspace to find this as the odor may stay confined to the crawl space itself.
- Water Damage: Although crawlspaces are going to be damp, if you see pools of water around the crawl space, it makes it more likely that you have water damage.
- Pests: If you notice a lot of bugs or rodents in your crawl space, especially after a storm has occurred, this might mean you have water damage.
Preventing Water Damage
There are some things you can do to help prevent water damage in your crawlspace, such as:
- Place a dehumidifier in your crawlspace and monitor it frequently, especially if it rains.
- Have any cracks in your foundation or leaking pipes repaired in order to reduce the moisture level in your crawlspace.
- Have a sump pump and drain installed in the crawl space to remove water.
- Fix any structural problems in the crawl space that might be causing water to build up in the area.
A crawl space can be a useful part of your home. However, if you do not properly care for your crawl space, it can actually cause severe damage. In addition to causing possible damage to your home, if you allow mold to build up in your crawl space and spread to your home, it could require costly mold remediation.
Contact Us
For more information on preventing water damage or for help with restoration, call us at 1-800-847-0114 or connect with us on Facebook.
