Cleaning a Wet Crawl Space to Prevent Problems

1. Cleaning a Wet Crawl Space to Prevent Problems

2. As South Carolina’s leading crawl space repair company, we deal with issues regarding wet crawl spaces. If the crawl space beneath your home is flooded or damp, it can cause problems much more severe than warped floorboards, it is the perfect environment for mold growth and insect infestations. Clean the crawl space as soon as possible after noticing the moisture.  The environment under your home needs to be cleaned as soon as possible. Make sure you are well-dressed for the occasion and use a high-powered flashlight to look into the crawl space. If you see evidence of a sewage backup, do not enter the crawl space; you will need a professional to take care of this toxic and biohazardous breeding ground. If it is just the crawl space that is damp, here are suggestions to help clean it without calling in the pros.

3. Find the Source of the Water Clogged gutters or downspouts that funnel water too closely to the home’s foundation can cause water to accumulate in crawl spaces. Leaky pipes and damaged sewer drains will also cause dampness, however, excess moisture is also a consequence of the soil beneath the home and the forces of nature. Soils high in clay content are famous for causing moisture and humidity in crawl spaces.  Correcting this issue is often the installation of an exterior drainage system that will help prevent intrusive water from entering the crawl space. A drainage system coupled with a floor moisture barrier or full-wrap encapsulation can also create a dry environment. To learn more about the different types of drainage systems, see our blog entitled,” What Type of Drainage System is Right for my Home?“ Drying Out and Cleaning Up Depending on the extent of the problem, you may need a crawl space dehumidifier to dry out your crawl space. Clean up any mold or mildew and replace any insulation that shows signs of water damage.

4. Make sure the ground surrounding your home is properly graded to funnel water away from your crawl space. Improper grading can cause moisture to accumulate in the soil and lead to foundation problems. Signs that you may be in need of foundation repair include cracks around windows or doors, uneven floors, and doors that are difficult to open and close. Replace any wet insulation and remove debris from the crawl space. Mold off of any surfaces is a health risk. While you can remove the mold yourself, it’s a job that is best left to the professionals since various safety precautions need to be put in place before and during mold removal. In addition, beware of rodent infestations. Rodent droppings contain harmful bacteria and viruses and, this too, should be left to a professional to exterminate. Check your crawl space regularly for signs of moisture. Catching the problem right away can prevent costly foundation damage. Let the experts atCNT Foundations provide a free consultant to discover the ways in which we can dry and repair your wet crawl space.  With offices in North Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina, we are local, we understand the area, and we know how to help.