Solved! This Is Who to Call for Water in a Crawl Space

Q: Is water in crawl space after heavy rain normal? I recently noticed water buildup in my crawl space following a storm, but I would rather have a professional take care of the water removal. I’m wondering who to call for water in a crawl space and how to prevent this from happening again.

A: It can be an unpleasant surprise for a homeowner to find water building up in their crawl space. Water in a crawl space can be caused by a multitude of reasons, including a leak under the house that allows water runoff to get into the foundation through surrounding soil, a crawl space plumbing issue, or surface water collecting due to clogged gutters or incorrectly installed downspouts.

For homeowners dealing with any of the above issues, or who routinely find water in the crawl space after a heavy rain, it’s time to call a professional to stop the problem at the source. Here’s who to call for water in a crawl space.

A plumber is a good first person to call when there’s water in the crawl space.

A homeowner will want to call an expert when there’s water in a crawl space, rather than dealing with the issue on their own. A flooded crawl space can be a dangerous environment, particularly if wires or electrical outlets are present in or near the water. In addition, flooding can cause hazards like gases lingering above the water and the trudging up of sharp debris like glass, nails, and rocks.

To ensure a homeowner addresses the situation safely, call a plumber who will come—ideally within a few hours—equipped with the right equipment and knowledge to fix the issue. They will be able to determine the source of the water, whether it’s related to a water leak under the house or a plumbing issue, and rectify the problem before it gets worse.

Homeowners can also call a water remediation specialist.

For a home with extensive damage, one of the best water damage restoration services can ensure the property is safe, sanitized, and uncontaminated. This type of expert will start by conducting an inspection to determine the extent of the damage. After the inspection, they will use specialized equipment, such as one of the best crawl space dehumidifiers or air movers, to remove all the standing water and prevent additional problems. Then, they will clean and sanitize the crawl space to ensure the home is rid of mold spores and mildew, which can cause long-term health issues. If necessary, the specialist will safely remove and dispose of any contaminated materials, pipes, and other debris from the home.

Contractors or structural engineers may be required after water damage in a home.

When a homeowner is faced with major damage due to crawl space flooding, they may need to enlist the help of a contractor or structural engineer to fix the issue and set up preventative measures. Water damage can cause further harm to a home about 24 to 48 hours after the actual water has been removed. Therefore, depending on how long the water had been sitting, a structural engineer may be necessary to ensure the home is safe to live in, and free of any structural issues, rot, or mildew.

A contractor or structural engineer can offer solutions on how to prevent the water buildup from happening in the future and provide quotes for the costs of crawl space encapsulation or foundation sealing. In addition, they may be able to help with regrading the surrounding property—including garden beds, walkways, and patios—to ensure it slopes away from the house and doesn’t draw in additional water.

Depending on the cause, an insurance policy may cover water damage.

After flooding that’s caused damage, many homeowners’ biggest question will be if homeowners insurance covers water damage. In certain situations, homeowners (and renters) will find that their insurance covers the costs of water damage. However, the incident needs to be sudden and accidental to qualify, meaning the homeowner was not expecting the event and could not have predicted or prevented its occurrence. On the other hand, if it is found that the homeowner was negligent—for instance, if the homeowner did not properly insulate and prepare their pipes, causing them to burst in extreme temperatures—the water damage would not be covered.

Homeowners will want to keep receipts for any damages caused by the flooding because they may be able to claim reimbursement for the damages through their insurance company (depending on their policy and the situation).

Water damage can lead to serious structural issues.

Water damage can have lasting effects on a home, from the structural integrity to the air quality. Over time, the flow of water can wear away at the home’s foundation, weakening it and leading to significant damage and costly repairs. Additionally, a wet crawl space can rust metal and rot any exposed wood—including wooden beams, floorboards, and joists.

Not only can the house suffer from structural issues, but the moisture can also cause mold and mildew within the home leading to air quality issues for all. This, in turn, can impact residents in the home by worsening allergies and asthma, and may even cause breathing problems.

A sump pump can help prevent water in the crawl space.

For those homeowners considering a move, selling a house with water in the crawl space may be difficult. By rectifying the situation and removing the standing water in a crawl space, a homeowner can increase the value of a home and protect it for the future.

Searching for “how to dry out a crawl space” will yield many results; however, one of the best solutions for crawl space water removal and prevention is a sump pump. A sump pump is a useful, yet costly, appliance that is installed in crawl spaces and basements to collect water buildup and pump it outside. It is installed either beneath or above the floor, and keeps the moisture out of crawl spaces to prevent buildup and flooding.