The crawl space is an often-neglected area of the house, as it’s usually far from sight and mind. Even if you inspect the area, the moisture levels might not appear unusual.
But water in your crawl space can lead to many adverse effects, some of which can be costly for your health and your budget. In this article, we’ll talk about issues that can arise from a wet crawl space and how it happens in the first place.
How Does Water Get Into the Crawl Space?
Before going into the details on the consequences of moisture, let’s see how it enters the crawl space. There are several common causes to keep in mind.
Improper Surface Water Drainage
When your house doesn’t have proper grading, the foundation traps the surface water. A small amount of water isn’t a problem.
But when you have a flash flooding situation or a torrential rainstorm, then the water can find its way into the crawl space. If the water manages to get in deep enough, it may turn the vents in the crawl space into spouts and allow more water to enter.
Leaking Basement Windows
Most crawl spaces and basements have windows and vents. If these windows have any gaps in them, the water will find its way inside.
Regular inspections and maintenance of basement windows and vents are essential. Otherwise, water may infiltrate the crawl space too easily. To help prevent water from seeping in through your basement windows is to have a window well installed. Contact MT Drains & Plumbing for a free window well installation quote.
Groundwater or Subterranean Water
Sometimes the rainwater or snowmelt will saturate the ground around your house. This is especially likely to happen in the springtime during the thaw.
Water will always find the path of least resistance. When the ground becomes saturated, that path might lead directly to your crawl space. To help divert water away from your home is by having a weeping tile installed in your crawlspace to help redirect water away from your foundation.
Internal and External Plumbing Issues
An insufficient drainage system in your house can be another reason why you may develop water in your crawl space. It could be that the sump pump has malfunctioned, or the indoor pipe has burst unexpectedly.
Another cause of water in your crawl space is a sewer line malfunction. If there is a broken line, water can fill up your crawl space before you even realize what’s happening.
Why Should You Fix a Wet Crawl Space?
We’ve established the root causes of water in the crawl space. But you might be wondering why it matters anyway? Let’s face it, crawl spaces are always somewhat damp and messy.
But here’s why fixing a wet crawl space necessary.
It Promotes the Development of Mold
Most homeowners already know that the presence of mold inside the house is highly problematic. Mold and moisture go hand in hand, as mold loves to eat all kinds of dead organic materials such as paper, wood, and cardboard. Which is precisely what your crawl space is filled with. The same applies to dead insects.
The vents in your crawl space allow the bugs to come in, and once they die, mold eats them and continues to grow. Once there’s enough of it, the airborne spores will unfortunately find their way into your living area.
Mold in a crawl space is not something anyone should take lightly. It can cause serious and often permanent damage to your health and the health of your family. The HVAC system in your home will circulate the spores, and over time you can develop allergies or even asthma.
Dust Mites and Pests Problem
Dust mites are another health hazard found in wet crawl spaces. They love humid environments and if your crawl space is wet, they will likely be present.
But other pests such as spiders, termites, rats, and mice can also reside in your crawl space and will possibly find their way into your home.
You Might Get a High Energy Bill
There’s another component to dealing with water in your crawl space problem. It can end up increasing your energy bill each month. It makes sense when you understand that a wet crawl space means you’ll have a more difficult time heating your home.
The damp air simply takes more energy to either cool or heat. It’s a more cost-effective solution to fix your crawl space than to continue to pay the ever-increasing energy bill.
You Might Need to Fix Your Foundation
Here’s another money-related issue that comes with having water in the crawl space. If the water in your crawl space sits too long, it can cause your house’s foundation to decay.
The water will fill up the hollow cores of the cinder block by pressing against the foundation wall. All of which can create hydrostatic pressure, causing cracks in the foundation.
Should You Fix the Water in Crawl Space by Yourself?
Water mitigation in the crawl space is not an overly complicated task. You can try to fix it yourself if you have the right tools. The problem is that it’s incredibly laborious and difficult work that can take a lot of time.
One of the issues with the DIY approach is when you have to deal with a broken sump pump. But even if you didn’t have to deal with plumbing and drainage issues, maneuvering in a crawl space can be incredibly challenging. That is why most people choose to hire a contractor.
If you live in the greater Toronto area, get in touch with MT Drain company, and we’ll take care of the water in your crawl space issue. Two decades of experience guarantee the best possible outcome so you don’t have to worry about the negative effects of moisture in your crawl space ever again.
Don’t Let Water in Crawl Space Affect the Rest of Your Home
When it comes to the crawl space, it’s prudent not to wait for things to go really bad before you do something about it.
Checking the basement windows and vents regularly is a great preventative measure, as is inspecting your sump pump from time to time.
Also, monitoring the groundwater and gutters will decrease the chances of developing water in crawl space. However, should it get there, call the professional team from MT Drain to resolve the issue.
