Water can get into a crawl space because of foundation cracks, leaks, or other common home issues. You can generally get rid of excess water by using a wet/dry vacuum, and there are steps you can take to keep your crawl space dry in the first place.
Excess water in a crawl space isn’t just an inconvenience—if the problem goes on too long, you could end up with serious water damage, structural damage, or mold growth. When your crawl space has a water problem, it can feel overwhelming to try and figure out what to do about it.
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How does water get under a crawl space?
There are several common reasons excess water can end up under a crawl space. Some of them include:
Foundation cracks: Cracks or gaps in your foundation
could be allowing excess water into your crawl space. Improper grading: If the ground surrounding your home isn’t graded properly, it could be allowing surface water to drain into your crawl space.
Plumbing leaks: Unaddressed leaks in the plumbing under your home could leave your crawl space with chronic standing water problems.
Clogged or overworked drains: If you have a drain installed in your crawl space but you still have standing water regularly, you might need to alter or add to your drainage system to help it keep up.
Chronic humidity: The climate below your house could naturally be creating the right conditions for a constantly humid space—which is bad news because this could lead to mold and mildew growth. If your crawl space is constantly damp and humid, you’ll want to consider options that can help with ventilation.
How to remove water in a crawl space
If you have standing water in your crawl space, here’s how you can go about addressing it:
Identify the water source: To address your water problem once and for all, you’ll need to know where the water is coming from and when it happens. If your water problem becomes worse during rainy seasons, for example, you could be dealing with a grading or foundation
problem that’s allowing rainwater in. Use a submersible pump: If you’re dealing with a substantial amount of flooding under your crawl space, a submersible pump can help you remove it. You’ll want to remove your crawl space’s vapor barrier if it has one and install a new one when it’s dried out again.
Use a wet/dry vacuum: If your crawl space isn’t at flooding levels but you have a substantial amount of standing water, a wet/dry vacuum may help you remove it before it causes further problems.
Call in a professional: If your water problem is too much to handle on your own, you can call on a professional to take care of the problem for you.
Pro Tip Be cautious when dealing with water from a sewage backup—it can pose serious health risks! Use personal protective equipment (PPE), avoid breathing it in, and don’t let the water touch your skin.
How to keep a crawl space dry
Depending on where you live, keeping water out of your crawl space can be a tough task. There are measures you can take to keep it at bay, including:
Clean and fix gutters and downspouts: Keeping rainwater away from the foundation of your house is an important first line of defense in keeping your crawl space dry.
Fix grading: If water from outside is draining into your house due to poor grading, correcting it to slope away from your home can help divert the water away.
Check the plumbing: If you have a recurring water issue in your crawl space, check pipes in the crawl space for plumbing leaks. You can have a plumber take a look to evaluate the situation, too.
Install a sump pump: If your crawl space has been prone to gathering water, you could consider installing a sump pump. This will help drain the water and prevent it from sitting in your crawl space.
Use a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier will keep humidity levels in your crawl space low, reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth.
Does home insurance cover crawl spaces?
Whether home insurance will cover water damage in crawl spaces depends on how the water got into your crawl space, your level of home insurance coverage, and the language in your policy.
For example, if a pipe within your home freezes and bursts, a standard home insurance policy may cover the damage as a named peril.
On the other hand, sewer backup is commonly a situation that requires additional coverage than a standard home insurance policy. If rainwater flooded your crawlspace, since the source of water came from outside your home, you might need flood insurance to see coverage.
To understand whether your own home insurance will cover water damage in your crawl space, you’ll want to read your policy language closely and clarify any questions with your provider.
How to find affordable home insurance
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