Moisture in crawl spaces is a common issue in many homes. Water can penetrate the crawl space and lead to greater structural damage, creating a home for mold, mildew, and pests. You should not ignore any signs of moisture in your crawl space because even small water issues can lead to bigger problems. In this blog, we will explain the common causes of excess moisture in your crawl space and how to address these issues.
Is It Normal To Have Crawl Space Moisture?
Your home’s crawl space is a small area under the floor that is in close contact with the soil and acts as a buffer between your home and the ground. So, if the soil beneath your home is highly saturated, it’s natural to have some level of crawl space moisture. However, you shouldn’t ignore any moisture issues in the crawl space, as they can be detrimental to your home in the long run.
What Causes Moisture in a Crawl Space?
If your crawl space regularly has puddles or standing water, your priority should be to control the underlying cause of the water. Water can seep into your crawl space from various sources, including heavy downpours, groundwater, or plumbing leaks. Besides these sources, some of the major causes of moisture in your crawl space include the following:
Sump Pump Issues
If you do not have a battery backup for your sump pump, it will fail when there is a power outage. Additionally, if your sump pump is clogged, it will not be able to pump out water effectively. An old, worn-out sump pump with a weak motor and electrical system may also fail. Any of these scenarios can lead to moisture issues in your crawl space, as your pump will not be able to drain out excess water from your crawl space.
Cracked Foundations
Even if you have a proper drainage system, water can find its way into your crawl space through cracks and holes in your home’s foundation. No matter how small these cracks are, they will let moisture seep into your crawl space over time.
Drainage Issues
If your crawl space floods after heavy rainfall or snowmelt, you may not have a sufficient drainage system. A faulty drainage system will not be able to direct water away from your home. Moreover, if the land around your home is not graded properly, excess water will seep into your crawl space due to improper water channeling.
Tips to Fix Water in the Crawl Space
Crawl space conditions can vary with changing weather conditions. Some level of moisture is common in crawl spaces, but excessive water seeps inside, you may observe multiple side crawl space flooding, mold growth, pest infestation, bouncy floors, and increased energy bills.
To avoid these negative outcomes, explore some of the tips and techniques on how to fix water in the crawl space below:
1. Identify the Source of Water
Spend some time looking around your home to detect possible sources of water intrusion. Did you observe water buildup from broken drain pipes or groundwater pooling in your crawl space? Did you find water leaking from the foundation cracks?
Sometimes, it is difficult to determine the cause of the water, especially if it is caused by groundwater or foundation leaks. In that case, consider scheduling a professional inspection by a reliable waterproofing company. Once the underlying issue is detected, you can implement effective measures recommended by the experts, which can range from a simple gutter cleaning to crawl space waterproofing.
2. Utilizing Sump Pumps for Efficient Water Removal
A sump pump continuously evacuates water from your crawl space. A battery backup sump pump will work in all kinds of weather, removing water from your crawl space and allowing it to drain away from your home.
3. Install a Drain System
Having a drainage system, also known as drain tile, installed is an effective way to keep water from flooding your crawl space. Drain tile allows that seeps in through the walls or floors to be continuously redirected, usually to a sump pump, and removed without damaging your home.
4. Repairing Foundation Cracks and Leaks
For severe leaks, just draining water away from your crawl space is not sufficient — you may also need to fix foundation cracks and leaks in order to avoid water intrusion from the gaps and holes. Waterproofing experts will use the appropriate sealants and waterproofing techniques, such as PVC patches, to ensure that cracks are sealed long-term.
5. Install a Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier can be a great addition to your crawl space. Vapor barriers are thick plastic sheets installed on the walls, floors, and ceilings of your crawl space. Once installed, they act as a shield against moisture infiltration from ground level and hinder pests’ entrance into your crawl space. The barrier reduces indoor moisture levels and inhibits mold growth.
6. Check Gutters and Downspouts
If your crawl space has gutters and downspouts, you need to pay extra attention to both of them. Even if the gutters are functional, your crawl space may flood if your downspouts are clogged. The downspouts might be clogged, disconnected, or may be facing away from your home. If your downspouts are in perfect condition, your gutters may be clogged with leaves, dirt, or debris. Any clogs in your drainage system lead to a water spillover. As a result, the soil around your home’s foundation soaks up the water and causes seepage inside your crawl space. Cleaning and repairing your gutters and downspouts will help to redirect heavy rain away from your home, keeping your crawl space dry.
Cost to Fix Moisture in Crawl Space
Detecting moisture issues early can significantly reduce repair costs. Although it’s easy to ignore your home’s crawl space since it may not be of much use to you on a daily basis, you should invest in reliable inspection and repairs to avoid expensive repair costs in the future.
The cost of fixing moisture in your crawl space varies greatly due to factors such as the extent of damage, underlying causes of water intrusion, size of your crawl space, and type of repair work done.
Here is a list of typical cost ranges to fix moisture in your crawl space:
- Crawl space cleaning or mold removal: Starts from $500
- Crawl space repair or restoration: Starts from $2,500
- Fixing foundation leaks or cracks: Starts from $3,000
- Crawl space encapsulation: Starts from $1,500
- Insulation repair works: Starts from $1,500
- Pest control: Starts from $1,000
Contact American Eagle Professional Services Inc. for a free inspection and estimate today.
Waterproof Your Crawl Space
American Eagle Professional Services Inc. has been proudly delivering effective crawl space waterproofing and mold removal services to homeowners for years. Our highly skilled specialists have the perfect blend of experience and knowledge to tackle all your crawl space moisture problems. Call us today, and we will send a team of experts to your home for a free inspection and quote.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You may notice moisture problems in your crawl space from various sources, such as the following:
- Failing sump pump
- Foundation cracks
- Groundwater seepage
- Condensation
- Soil moisture
To detect moisture issues early, you can start by visually inspecting your crawl space. Check for signs of moisture like black patches of mold, standing water, wood rot, and pest infestation. To check moisture content, use moisture meters and a hygrometer to test humidity levels. For reliable and efficient inspection, you can contact our expert technicians.
Over time, moisture in the crawl space can lead to other problems like damaged or wet insulation, pest infestations, or wood rot, disrupting your home’s structural integrity. To fix moisture issues, consider adding a sump pump, vapor barrier, and dehumidifiers. It is also important to have an effective drainage system that directs water away from your home. For encapsulation and drainage services, contact American Eagle Professional Services Inc.
Yes, moisture in your crawl space is bad because dampness is the source of other problems, such as wood damage, compromised structural integrity, musty smells, mold, and flooding.
