Crawl Space Water Removal
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Crawl space flooding solutions seem to be the hot topic during the summer in Atlanta, Georgia. Every time it rains, we have people calling and asking questions like:
It's amazing that an area (the crawl space) this small, can potentially cost a homeowner so much stress, damage, and money. One of the worst things for a homeowner in Atlanta is standing water in the crawl space after rain. Water anytime is bad, but when it's after rain, it means that you've got a very vulnerable crawl that if not attended to could end up being catastrophic to the health of your foundation and body. If you have water in, around, or under the crawl space, you are most likely going to need to encapsulate the entire space to prevent similar issues in the future. Certainly, you have the option of just removing the water in the crawl space under your house, but that could prove to be nothing more than a temporary fix to an underlying problem. The good news is, crawl space water removal is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying parts of the entire repair process. The beauty of it is that you can see a noticeable difference as you are performing the service, whereas with other parts of the process it feels like nothing is being accomplished. For the sake of those that have never had to deal with a water issue of this magnitude, let's cover the basics of the water removal process. |
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How To Fix Water In Crawl Space
Even after 12 years in the crawl space encapsulation and repair industry we still find ourselves getting surprised from time to time. We've seen some things that would scare people and cause them not to be able to sleep if they knew what was in their crawl space, and we've seen other things that have shocked us and made us tip our hats to this little thing called water. Water is an incredibly persistent substance. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that water is the very thing that keeps us alive, yet in the wrong places for an extended period of time, it can be the thing that causes us tremendous amounts of stress and pain.
If we've taken nothing else from our 12 years doing crawl space water removal, it's that water will find a way inside if you don't have a system set up to prevent it from happening. Even then, with the proper systems in place, including a crawl space dehumidifier and vapor barrier, water can and will still find the chink in the armor. You have to respect water because it is no respecter of persons. Let's cover a few of the ways that water commonly finds its way into a home:
The crawl space vent is one of the biggest misunderstandings in building history. Way back when someone got the crawl space vent installation to be included in the building code for many states across the country. Theoretically, these vents will allow water to escape from the crawl space that may have made its way in there. What really happens is that this is actually not the case and is much the opposite. These vents are perfected size and opportunities for rainwater from flooding to enter inside the home and make itself comfortable, and the last thing you want is standing water in the crawl space here in Charleston, South Carolina. Everyone that's ever visited here in the summer months of July and August can attest to the fact that the humidity here combined with the heat is almost unbearable to someone that isn't used to that type of heat. These two forces combined with the coolness of the crawl space under the house can be extremely deadly and disastrous for your home.
For those that like to catch things early rather than wait until they get out of hand before trying to fix them, it would be wise to stop reading right now and go and check your crawl space. Take a flashlight and do a good inspection to see if any water has made its way through the foundation walls and into the crawl. Please remember to check the walls for dark spots which usually indicates moisture penetration. Air conditioning units can begin to sweat and create moisture if overworked or not properly maintained. Again, if you have not checked or given any attention to your air conditioning unit in the last couple years, stop what you are doing and go into your basement crawl space right now.
If we've taken nothing else from our 12 years doing crawl space water removal, it's that water will find a way inside if you don't have a system set up to prevent it from happening. Even then, with the proper systems in place, including a crawl space dehumidifier and vapor barrier, water can and will still find the chink in the armor. You have to respect water because it is no respecter of persons. Let's cover a few of the ways that water commonly finds its way into a home:
- crawl space vent
- broken pipes
- AC Unit
- Walls
The crawl space vent is one of the biggest misunderstandings in building history. Way back when someone got the crawl space vent installation to be included in the building code for many states across the country. Theoretically, these vents will allow water to escape from the crawl space that may have made its way in there. What really happens is that this is actually not the case and is much the opposite. These vents are perfected size and opportunities for rainwater from flooding to enter inside the home and make itself comfortable, and the last thing you want is standing water in the crawl space here in Charleston, South Carolina. Everyone that's ever visited here in the summer months of July and August can attest to the fact that the humidity here combined with the heat is almost unbearable to someone that isn't used to that type of heat. These two forces combined with the coolness of the crawl space under the house can be extremely deadly and disastrous for your home.
For those that like to catch things early rather than wait until they get out of hand before trying to fix them, it would be wise to stop reading right now and go and check your crawl space. Take a flashlight and do a good inspection to see if any water has made its way through the foundation walls and into the crawl. Please remember to check the walls for dark spots which usually indicates moisture penetration. Air conditioning units can begin to sweat and create moisture if overworked or not properly maintained. Again, if you have not checked or given any attention to your air conditioning unit in the last couple years, stop what you are doing and go into your basement crawl space right now.
Water In Crawl Space After a Heavy Rain
Since you have found yourself reading through our site, the chances are probably fairly good that you have run into some water in your crawl space. You need to know as soon as possible how to fix water in your crawl space. Is there anything worse? Most often we like the rain. We like how it smells and that it keeps everything green. However, after a heavy rain mixed with southern humidity, unwanted water can make its way into your basement crawl space, causing all sorts of terrible problems for you as a homeowner. Water can damage the walls, paint, and wood that are found in your basement. As it seeps deep into your walls, water in the crawl space can ruin insulation and damage drywall. One of the greatest threats posed by standing water in the crawl space after rain however, is the growth of mold and bacteria. Crawl space water provides favorable conditions for dangerous mold and mildew to thrive in. The presence and growth of these undesirable things leads to the increase of allergens and bacteria in the air inside your home. If standing water in crawl spaces is not removed promptly and properly after a heavy rain, there could be some serious problems. As a homeowner, you want to know that the floor you walk on and the air you breathe are safe and secure for you and everyone you share them with. Water in your crawl space can easily take away that peace of mind and confidence. Time and time again we have seen the results of water in crawl spaces when it rains. We know the headache that can be caused, and we have been privy to the worry that is experienced. That is why we have made it our personal business to become crawl space water removal experts. Our dedicated contractors have the skill and knowledge to fix your problems. Have you run into questions about your crawl space water heater? We will be happy to help. Have you noticed that there is a leak under your crawl space? Or are you searching for the answer to how to unfreeze water in the pipes in your crawl space? Well, there is no need to worry. We know how to fix all of that, too. Oh great, you found water in your crawl space under the vapor barrier! Don’t you spend one more minute worrying. Our jobs every day center on removing water from crawl spaces. We have fixed many houses, and know that we will be able to fix your home. There is no need to continue to search for how to get rid of water in your crawl space, because we have already found your answer: Call us. Let us take care of that standing water. Let us worry about the high water table in your crawl space. Let us prevent the mold, mildew, and allergens. Let us help you. Give us a call today, receive your crawl space repair cost estimate, and let us do just that.