Crawl Space Water Damage - The Hidden Danger to Your Home

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Crawl Space Water Damage - The Hidden Danger to Your Home

There could be a lingering danger hiding out in your crawl space. This danger could already be destroying your home and you may not even know it. The danger is water damage in your crawl space. There are many sources where the water may come from and there are many ways it can wreak havoc and damage your home. In this blog, we will explore the many sources of water getting into your crawl space, what damage it can cause, and how you can reduce the possible damage.

What Causes Water Damage in a Crawl Space

• Poor Grading Around Home

If water pools up around your foundation during rain storms, the water can saturate the ground and seep under your house and into the crawl space. You want the ground around your home to slope away from the home so water will flow away from the foundation.

• Flooding from Nearby Stream or River

If you live near a river or stream that floods often, the rising water may not get into your home but it can get under your home and into your crawl space. 

• Sewer Drain Leak

Usually, in crawl spaces, you will have lots of drain lines coming from your sinks, toilets, showers, washing machines, dishwashers, and tubs. Any of these drain lines can easily leak water into your crawl space.

• High Groundwater Table

If you live in a low lying area, you may not be that far from the groundwater table. The groundwater table or water table is the surface underground that is permanently saturated with water. In low lying areas with high water tables, your yard and your crawl space may be constantly moist and soft.

• High Humidity

The water damage may not always be apparent when looking under your crawl space. In some instances, you may not find water but you’ll find humidity. The humidity, just like water, can lead to damage to your home under your crawl space.

• Water Line Leak

Just as we explained that there are lots of drain lines that could be running under your crawl space, there could also be lots of water lines. These water lines could be running to all the same places that have a drain line. Water lines can develop small leaks that you may not discover until you inspect your crawl space. Water lines can also freeze and burst if your crawl space gets too cold in the winter. 

• Gutter & Downspout Issues

The last source of water damage to your crawl space can come from a malfunctioning gutter and/or downspout. Your gutters and downspout are there to direct rainwater away from your house and it’s foundation during a rainstorm. If the gutter or downspout is damaged, it could allow water to pool up and saturate the soil around your foundation and flow into your crawl space.

What Damage Can Water Cause In Your Crawl Space?

Water and humidity in your crawl space can cause lots of damage to your entire home. Water can soak structural beams and framing of your home leading to rot and potential collapse of flooring and walls. The water can cause the humidity to rise leading to mold growth on the wood framing and subfloor. If you have HVAC ducts in your crawl space, the mold can make its way into the ductwork and spread throughout your home. If a sewer drain is leaking, the wastewater can not only cause mold to grow throughout the crawl space but also lead to awful odors emanating from the crawl space and carried by the HVAC ducts. It doesn’t take a pool of water in your crawl space for mold to start growing either. Moisture in the air and the darkness of your crawlspace are the perfect recipe for mold growth. 

How to Reduce Possible Water Damage and Mold from Occurring in Your Crawl Space

While not every cause of water damage can be prevented, like a flood from a nearby stream, a lot of the causes can be. The first step to reducing any potential damage is to regularly check your crawl space for signs of water and moisture. It’s a good idea to check your crawl space at least every three months throughout the year. You want to look for any signs of pooling water, odors, mold growth, and high humidity. If you spot a leak or pooling water, you will want to find the source and fix the issue. 

If you notice water pooling around the perimeter of your home, you will want to make sure that your gutters are not clogged and that your downspouts are directing water away from your home. You also want to check that the ground is sloping away from your home to reduce the pooling of water. 

You also want to check the vents around your crawl space to make sure that they are not clogged or closed. The vents allow air to circulate in your crawl space to reduce moisture build-up. Ultimately, you may need to invest in a vapor barrier for your crawl space. This prevents water from seeping up into your crawl space from the ground. 

If Your Crawl Space Shows Water or Mold Damage, Call the Pros

If you should find water damage or mold growth in your crawl space, call the damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Indianapolis West. They have the knowledge, expertise, tools, and equipment to handle water and mold damage. They will be able to quickly clean up, dry up, and get your crawl space and home back to normal. They’re available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to call them the next time disaster strikes your home or business.