The Top 5 Causes of Crawl Space Water Damage

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for fast water restoration services!

Standing water in your crawl space is not only a nuisance, but it can also lead to severe structural damage.

Most homeowners don't think about their crawl space until there's a problem. And by that time, it's often too late. Crawl space water damage can cause severe problems for homeowners, from structural damage to mold growth.

The professionals at SERVPRO of South Cobb have mitigated crawl space water damage caused by countless reasons, but here are the top five:

1. Roof leaks
2. Plumbing leaks
3. Overflowing gutters
4. Grading issues
5. Foundation cracks

This blog post will detail these five most common causes of crawl space water damage. We'll also provide some tips on handling standing water in your crawl space and preventing future damage.

What is crawl space water damage?

Crawl space water damage is damage that occurs when water enters the crawl space of a home and causes damage to the structure and contents. The crawl space is the area between the ground and the first floor of a house. It is common for a crawl space to store HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical wiring. Therefore, a property owner will want to mitigate crawl space water damage as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

The five most common causes of crawl space water damage

Now that you know more about crawl space water damage, let's look at the five most common causes:

1. Roof leaks

A roof leak is one of the most common causes of crawl space water damage. If your home has an old or damaged roof, it's more susceptible to leaks. Water can enter through holes or cracks in the roof when it rains and drips down into the crawl space. To prevent crawl space water damage from a roof leak, have your roof inspected regularly and repaired or replaced as needed.

2. Plumbing leaks

Leaking pipes can also cause crawl space water damage. If a pipe in your crawl space leaks, the water will seep into the surrounding soil and may eventually find its way into your crawl space. To prevent crawl space water damage from a plumbing leak, have your crawl space inspected regularly and any leaks repaired immediately.

3. Overflowing gutters

Another common cause of crawl space water damage is overflowing gutters. If your gutters are not properly cleaned and maintained, they can become clogged with leaves and debris. When it rains, the water will overflow from the gutters and run down the side of your house. If the gutters are improperly installed, the water can pool near your foundation and eventually find its way into your crawl space. To prevent crawl space water damage from overflowing gutters, clean your gutters regularly and make sure they are correctly installed.

4. Grading issues

Grading is the process of designing slopes and hills around your home to prevent pooling near the foundation. However, if the grading around your home is improper, water can pool near the foundation and eventually find its way into your crawl space. To prevent crawl space water damage from improper grading, inspect the grading around your home regularly and correct it as needed.

5. Foundation cracks

Foundation cracks are another common cause of crawl space water damage. If there are cracks in your foundation, water can enter your crawl space and cause damage. To prevent crawl space water damage from foundation cracks, have your foundation inspected regularly and repaired as needed.

Tips for dealing with standing water in your crawl space

If you find standing water in your crawl space, take these steps to dry it out and prevent further damage:

Tip 1) Remove any standing water

If there is standing water in your crawl space, remove it as soon as possible. The longer the water sits, the more damage it can cause.

Tip 2) Inspect for leaks.

Once the water is extracted, inspect your crawl space for leaks. Look for cracks in the foundation, holes in the roof, or any other openings where water could have entered.

Tip 3) Repair any leaks.

If you find any leaks, repair them immediately to prevent further damage.

Tip 4) Dry out the crawl space.

Once all the leaks are repaired, dry out the crawl space as much as possible. A professional restoration company like SERVPRO of South Cobb will strategically place industrial fans and dehumidifiers to dry the crawl space and prevent mold and mildew growth.

Preventing future crawl space water damage

To prevent future crawl space water damage, inspect your crawl space regularly and ensure any leaks are repaired immediately. You should also clean your gutters regularly and ensure they are correctly installed. If you live in an area with a high water table, you may consider installing a sump pump to remove any water entering your crawl space.

These steps can prevent crawl space water damage and keep your home in good condition.

How SERPVRO of South Cobb can help with crawl space water damage

We hope you enjoyed learning about crawl space water damage. If your crawl space has been damaged by water, SERVPRO of South Cobb can help. We are a professional water damage restoration company with the training and experience to dry out your crawl space and prevent mold and mildew growth.

As an IICRC-certified firm, we know the importance of working quickly to minimize the damage and get your home back to normal. So please feel free to contact us at any time for all your water damage needs. We're always here to help!