Understanding Crawl Space Water and Its Removal

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

A crawl space in your Stillwater, OK, home is no place for water to linger. Whether it’s mold that thrives in cold and damp places or foundation weakening from overexposure, water poses a threat in the long term. Knowing how a wet crawl space becomes flooded and what do after is pivotal.

Knowing Where the Water Came From

Water finds its way into the crawl spaces naturally and otherwise. The crawl space is susceptible to water from a few sources:

• Rain or snowmelt causing water pools that never fully evaporates
• Flood water from naturally wet climates
• Other floods above the crawl space entrance leaking through
• Leaking or broken pipes spilling water when water is used

Removing the Water

If the problem is a damaged pipe, the pipe should be fixed first. If the problem is more long-term or serious, a draining system is set up to remove and prevent the flooding from creating a wet crawl space. A trench is dug while keeping the home’s structural integrity in mind. In the trench, piping is placed and covered with drainage rocks.

After the trench and piping are complete, an electrician ensures the safe installation of an outlet and sump pump. The water is rerouted to a safe spot in the home’s exterior where it is much less dangerous. As the final step, a vapor barrier is installed to prevent any water from evaporating and damaging the home any further.

Treating Water Damage

When a sump pump solution is not pursued, the water needs to be removed by you or professionals. Contacting a professional water damage treatment company is advised since expertise is necessary to evaluate every unique situation. Even with a removal system, water damage may still be there but unnoticeable unless you know what to look for.

The treatment and prevention of a wet crawl space is quite an endeavor, but it can be accomplished with established procedures. The source and treatment are important to know to protect your residence. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com/.