3 Steps to Take After Your Crawl Space Floods 

1. Find the Water Source

A flooded crawl space can result from various factors, including leaky pipes, heavy rain, broken water heaters, or environmental causes. Check around your property for potential sources like faulty gutters or pooling water in your yard.

Inadequate Drainage

Faulty Sump Pump

Your sump pump has a float switch that activates when the water it captures reaches a certain limit. If your sump pump’s float switch is malfunctioning and water is pooling, a replacement may be necessary. Our experts can inspect and recommend a better sump pump option for your home.

Leaky Pipes

Pipes, especially iron or steel ones, corrode over time due to constant exposure to moisture. A leaking pipe can lead to a wet crawl space, promoting mold growth and wood rot, which can weaken your home’s structure.

Sewage Backup

A clogged sewage line can cause wastewater to back up into your crawl space, creating a severe health hazard. Sewage water contains bacteria, parasites, and viruses that pose serious risks.

Look for Problems Inside Your Home

Another way to tell if water is in your crawl space is to keep an eye out for issues inside your home. Often, these problem signs seem to come out of nowhere, the most common being:

• High humidity
• Increased energy bills
• Sagging, bouncy floors
• Mold growth

These are indications that your crawl space has too much moisture in it. If standing water is below your home, it’s going to evaporate and travel inside your living space, potentially causing all of the issues above.

One thing to keep in mind as you investigate your home—crawl spaces are often filled with hazards. Fallen debris, mold, rocks, electrical wiring, and pests could cause injury if you aren’t wearing the right equipment.

We don’t recommend homeowners check their crawl space directly without professional help, so consider contacting foundation repair companies, like AFS, to take care of this task.

2. Fix the Water Problem With Professionals

Solving crawl space flooding requires professional waterproofing solutions. Installing these protective measures should not be a DIY project, as they need proper tools and expertise.

The crawl space is both delicate and dangerous, and these solutions only work when installed with the proper tools and training. Local crawl space repair and encapsulation professionals like our team at AFS can install high-quality waterproofing solutions to ensure your crawl space is protected against water damage.  

Interior Drainage System  

Sump Pump 

A crawl space sump pump is a great solution if you live in an area prone to flooding issues. A sump pump will easily pump out large volumes of water, so you won’t have to worry about standing water in your crawl space. If you are worried about blackouts, a battery backup will ensure that the pump is working even when there is a power outage.  

Seal Vents

In the past, it was believed that crawl space vents kept crawl spaces dry and protected them against mold growth by letting fresh air in. However, since then it was established that vents caused more damage than good. They let moisture-laden air into a dry space, making it damp. Nowadays, vents are being closed off through encapsulation to ensure the dryness of the crawl space.

Vapor Barrier 

Drainage Matting  

A simple yet effective way to ensure your crawl space stays dry and prolong your vapor barrier liner’s lifespan is drainage matting. After a flood, water can become trapped under the liner. However, because of the matting’s raised dimples, it will be able to pass underneath your crawl space liner and move toward the drain.  

Dehumidifier  

A dehumidifier keeps moisture levels in your crawl space under control, eliminating allergy triggers such as mold and dust mites. It can improve air quality, prevent rot, and even lower your energy consumption.  

3. Check with Your Insurance Company

One of the most common questions we receive is if homeowner’s insurance will cover crawl space damage.

Here’s the truth: in most cases, crawl space damage is not covered by homeowner’s insurance.

However, it does depend on the circumstances. Checking with your individual insurance company is the best way to get a solid answer, but generally, these are the factors that determine if insurance will cover flooding in your crawl space:

Essentially, standard homeowner’s insurance plans will only protect structural damage below your home if it’s completely out of your control. Everything else can be classified as poor maintenance or neglect to your property. Investing in flood insurance (especially if you live in an area prone to flooding) is a great way to have extra protection against crawl space flooding.

Remember, check with your insurance company for the specifics. We aren’t insurance professionals; these are just general guidelines. Insurance representatives can give you even more accurate information!

Get Reliable Crawl Space Repair and Encapsulation from Local Experts 

Crawl Space Flood FAQs

Are there different types of crawl space sump pumps?

Yes, crawl space sump pump systems vary in style and capacity. At AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, we install submersible sump pumps with different pumping capacities, including battery backup options. Our experts will inspect your crawl space and recommend the ideal system for your home’s needs. Contact us today for a free evaluation.

Does standing water attract termites?

Yes, termites are attracted to moist environments, and standing water can soften wood, making it more vulnerable to termite infestations.

How long does it take to repair water damage?

The time can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and the drying conditions.

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Ted Dryce

Content Writer

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.