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- WATER IN CRAWL SPACE AFTER HEAVY RAIN NORMAL INSTALL
- WATER IN CRAWL SPACE AFTER HEAVY RAIN NORMAL PROFESSIONAL
This approach isn’t appropriate for all climates, so before you start work, consult a professional so you don’t inadvertently worsen your home’s moisture problems. That requires covering the floor with a vapor barrier, installing vent covers, and adding an airtight door. If that’s your goal, you’ll need to encapsulate (seal) the crawl space. If the floor isn’t flat, level it out.Ī sump pump alone can’t keep a crawl space completely dry. The floor should be flat enough to prevent puddles from forming. This will lead water on the floor toward the sump pump.
WATER IN CRAWL SPACE AFTER HEAVY RAIN NORMAL INSTALL
If you choose to install a sump pump, dig a drainage channel around the edges of the crawl space.
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Not all crawl spaces need one, but in flood-prone areas, these devices provide effective backup when you’re not able to completely stop water from entering. Check your gutters and down spouts, as well as the grade of the land surrounding your home.Ī sump pump should be you next consideration. Ineffective exterior drainage leads rain runoff toward your home and into your crawl space, instead of draining that water away as it should. Crawl space flooding isn’t inevitable, though, and it’s not even particularly difficult to prevent.īefore you consider upgrading your crawl space, address the drainage around your home. If your crawl space has already flooded, then you know that layer of plastic on the floor isn’t going to do much against moisture when a severe storm hits. Before you do, consult with a professional who can help you ensure the job is done safely. If you plan to use your crawl space for storage and want to ensure it stays dry permanently, you’ll most likely need to install a permanent dehumidifier along with a heat source. To speed up the drying process, place a source of low heat, such as a light bulb, inside the crawl space and position one or more electric fans where they’ll blow air across damp surfaces. Warm, moving air picks up moisture more readily. A wet crawl space could take a total of eight to 10 hours to dry. Set the dehumidifier for between 30 to 45 percent and let it run for several hours, then check on the space. A large room dehumidifier is enough for a small crawl space, but for a larger one, you may need to rent a commercial grade model. These should be repaired before you bring in electrical equipment to help with drying. Check for wiring damage or other issues that would make it unsafe to use the outlets in or near the crawl space. Once this is done, clean the surfaces inside the crawl space to discourage the spread of mold, which can contaminate your air and your dehumidifier. This means drying the wood framing, the subflooring above the crawl space, and the crawl space floor.īefore you start, make sure all mold and moldy materials have been removed, that there are no lingering puddles, and that no water is still entering the crawl space. When all the standing water is out, you can begin drying the space more thoroughly. Water-damaged insulation is no longer efficient, so throw it out and replace it rather than trying to dry it. Wet items hold in water and lengthen the time it takes to dry the space. This includes any stored items, soaked insulation, and debris the flood water carried in or knocked loose from the crawl space’s interior. While the pump is running, remove all wet materials from the crawl space. You may have to re-position the suction hose periodically until all standing water is removed.
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The drainage hose should release the water far enough away from the house that it can’t flow back into the crawl space. To remove water from your crawl space with a pump, place the pump’s suction hose into the flood water and direct the drainage hose outdoors away from the house. Using a general purpose pump, however, will get the job done more efficiently and it’s the only practical option if the space is severely flooded. If all you have are a few puddles, use a wet-vac to suck up the water and dump it outdoors.įor widespread flooding that doesn’t reach more than an inch deep, you can try sweeping the water out with a push broom. The job of cleaning a flooded crawl space starts with removing the standing water. Mold can also make its way into your living space, where it will worsen your indoor air quality.īy cleaning up your flood-prone crawl space and making a few design upgrades, you can protect your home and your health, and even regain your crawl space as a storage area. It can lead to mold growth that rots your floors and the wood framing of your house, causing serious structural damage. Flooding in this area shouldn’t be ignored. If you live in a flood zone and the crawl space under your house isn’t correctly designed, there’s a good chance you’ll have to deal with a flooded crawl space at some point.