Water in the crawl space under your house is more than a mere inconvenience. Standing water and even high humidity under the house can cause mold to grow, which poses a significant threat to the health of your family. When the soil beneath your house gets soaked with water, rising moisture and water vapor increase the humidity below your home, potentially causing lasting damage. The presence of water long-term can make your beams or posts rot, weakening the structure of your home. Another detrimental effect of standing water below your house is the potential proliferation of pests such as carpenter ants and termites.
Water in the crawl space underneath your house has several possible causes. It may be a result of poor drainage, sewage backup or heavy rain. However, the water got there, the important thing is to quickly find the source and get to the bottom of the issue.
Entering Into Your Crawl Space
First, find the opening to your crawl space. This may be a hatch outside in the exterior wall surrounding the crawlspace, or a hatch in your floor, perhaps inside a closet or scullery.
It is recommended that you wear old clothes, as you may have to lie down to move around in the narrow space. Take a flashlight down there with you. Take a close look at every area of your crawl space, including the ground below and the floor of the house above.
Checking For Signs Of Water
Check for any sign of puddling or standing water on the ground. On the wooden posts and structural members overhead, you may notice wood rot or discoloration caused by mildew. In some homes, the crawlspace can have narrow spots or corners that will require you to be agile in your movements. Be sure to check along every wall and enter every corner to insure you do not miss any section of your crawlspace.
What To Do If You Find Water
If you do find standing water, it’s crucial to work out whether the source is coming from above ground—for example, a leaky pipe under the floor of the house, or groundwater, which is water that seeps up from the water table or flows in from the ground outside.
Groundwater entering your crawl space is more likely at particular times of the year, especially during rainy seasons. If you inspect your crawl space and notice water after a spell of wet weather, this may be the reason. In many parts of the country, the water table is quite high, and the rainy season can cause water to rise up into standing puddles in low areas of the crawlspace.
If the water in your crawl space does not appear to be related to the weather or changing seasons, you may have a leak on your hands. If you notice that the standing water is directly below, or in the region of, a bathroom or plumbing fixture in your home, you are most likely dealing with a leak in your plumbing.
Who To Call If you Find Water In Your Crawl Space
Water in your crawl space is a sign of a potential leak. Even a little water could be an indication of a serious problem with your plumbing, which could cause severe water damage to your home and chronic health issues for your family. If you notice water in your crawl space, it is best to call the water damage restoration expert at Complete Restoration Services to investigate the problem and act immediately.
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