Why You Need To Worry About Water in Your Crawl Space

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

A wet crawl space in your Rocky Mount, NC home can be dangerous for you and your family.

The crawl space of a home is often out of sight and mind, but it is a foundational element of your home, so it should be on your radar. While it might not seem like a big deal, a wet crawl space can have dire consequences for your home and family, primarily if it floods frequently. The crawl space contains the structural supports of the house and has direct access to its flooring beams. Consistent flooding can result in several issues, including:

• Mold
• Rot
• Sinking
• Foundation cracks
• Structural integrity issues
  

A flooded crawl space is no laughing matter. You should contact a water mitigation company in Rocky Mount, NC, as soon as possible to resolve the problem.

The Problems With a Wet Crawl Space

How often does your crawl space flood? A crawl space that experiences frequent floods can eventually lead to more significant concerns.

While water and moisture are not uncommon in crawl spaces, the maintenance of any water depth is problematic. See, under your house is the perfect environment for mold growth; it is dark, damp, and humid. While some people might not worry about mold under their house, it is concerning because mold can begin accessing other parts of the home through woodwork, gaps, vents, etc.

A musty odor is often the first sign of mold. When you can smell mold, it is a sign that it is reproducing and growing. You should contact a mold remediation specialist as soon as possible.

Water under your home can also lead to rot and soil displacement. Wood rot can lead to weak flooring and supports, threatening collapse. Soil displacement threatens the very foundation of the home, causing sinking and cracking.

Combatting Flooded Crawl Spaces

There are several steps a homeowner can take to prevent water from collecting under their house. First, you can install a sump pump to pump out excess water. Second, you can assess the slope of your yard. A yard should slope toward the street to prevent pooling against the foundation of your home. Third, you can examine the eaves and gutter, ensuring they are clean and working correctly. Finally, you can contact a remediation expert to look into the causes of your flooding problem.

When To Hire a Professional

The crawl space can become wet after heavy rains, but it shouldn’t flood. If you notice water sitting under the house and pooling, you should call for a property assessment. A remediation professional will assess things like a slope to determine the cause of the water problem.

If using SERVPRO, you can have a rough assessment within eight hours of contacting the company. The best part is the company is always open and promises a response time of one hour, on-site in four.

A wet crawl space is not normal, and if it is left alone, it can lead to several significant and potentially severe structural problems. Mold, rot, and sinking are only three of the threats water in a crawl space presents. SERVPRO has an excellent reputation for disaster response and can fix your crawl space concerns.