The crawl space is beneath your home, and you can find it within your foundation. It is a confined space and one that can become wet if you don’t take care of it. Moisture can cause crawl space issues that need to be handled by a professional to resolve the problems. If you have excessive crawl space moisture, there are several potential causes. Bad grading when building your home or cracks in your foundation can cause water to get into the crawl space. Leaking vents, drains that become clogged, or problems with your plumbing can cause water to get into the space and create moisture problems.
If your home smells like mildew, or you find mold growth in the home, a moisture-filled crawl space may be the problem. If you ignore water in the crawl space, this can lead to structural damage. Mold growing in your home can cause health problems, especially for those who already struggle with allergies or asthma. When you suspect moisture in the crawl space of your home, work with BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair to figure out and resolve the problem.
Get in Touch: 757-460-0444
What Causes Crawl Space Moisture Problems?
Water or moisture can get into the crawl space of your home because of uneven grading. When the grading is not done properly, groundwater becomes trapped in your crawl space and against the foundation. When water is present, it can leak through any gaps or cracks that are in your foundation. There are times when water can seep in slowly, and it can be difficult to notice the problem until there is damage to your home. If you have gaps in the vents of the crawl space or any window gaps, water can get in and cause water damage to your home.
Water can also come from water pipes or sewer lines that get used frequently in your home. If you have a plumbing leak, water can get into the crawl space when waterproofing is not done. If you have an older plumbing system, you may need to have an inspection done of your plumbing system to make sure there aren’t any leaks leading into the crawl space of your home. Water anywhere in your home can cause damage to wood floors, walls, and ceilings. When you don’t get the water removed and moisture stays within the crawl space, this becomes a breeding ground for mold to grow. It only takes a few mold spores for a colony to expand due to moisture in a small space.
Do You Have a Wet Crawl Space?
It’s easy to know that you have a damp crawl space when standing water or puddles are present. When you discover water in the crawl space, the first step is to remove the water right away. While you might not know the source of the water, you want to get the water out quickly to avoid any damage to the space. You might have mold growth or water seeping into your foundation when there is already crawl space water. If you are sneezing or having any respiratory issues, you can’t explain, this could be due to water or moisture in your crawl space.
High humidity levels are another sign that you have wet crawl space problems. If the humidity levels are high, moisture is going to increase in the crawl space. This can cause humid air to infiltrate your home, as the moisture from the crawl space enters the home. If there are musty smells anywhere in your basement or house, mold and mildew may be present in the crawl space and need to be removed.
When water damages any wood structures in the crawl space, this wood will rot and lose its integrity. Termites are attracted to wet wood, and this will lead to further wood damage in the home. If you notice that you have loose floor joists or that the floor bounces slightly when walking on it, this is a sign that there is wood rot present. Other issues with a poorly insulated crawl space will produce high energy bills because of hot or cold air loss produced by your heating and cooling system.
Estimating Your Crawl Space Encapsulation and Repair
A damp crawl space is not something to ignore once you discover an issue. Trying to encapsulate the space is hard, especially when you have a dirt floor. This is not recommended as a DIY project, as the space is tight, and you want to get the job done right the first time. You can ask for a free crawl space inspection and get a free quote for the work that needs to be done. You may need crawl space insulation or complete encapsulation of the crawl space. We will provide you with a quote to install a moisture barrier or a new vapor barrier if needed.
We take a careful look at all the work that needs to be done to protect your crawl space, and we will let you know exactly what can be done to keep your home safe. If you have questions about your quote, let us know how we can help. We understand that you will get a few estimates on the work that needs to be done on your home, and we are happy to go through the details of the quote we provide. The exact nature of the work, the cost of materials, and how long the job will take are all considered when developing an estimate for the cost of repairs.
How Does Wet Crawl Space Repair Work?
At BAY Crawl Space & Foundation repair, we know how to keep your crawl space dry. Whether you simply need to have water removed from the space, or you are looking to have new moisture control solutions, we are ready to help. To maintain a dry crawl space or fix your existing one, we can install sump pumps or French drains to take care of standing water in your space. In addition, we can provide crawl space waterproofing to prevent water from getting inside in the first place. There are times when crawl space waterproofing can help reduce water while installing a new crawl space vapor barrier to protect the interior of your home from mold or mildew.
If clean-up is needed because of termites, or a poorly working drainage system, we can install a new drainage system to manage water getting too close to the crawl space. As we assess the problems with the crawl space, we can take care of crawl space encapsulation to protect the entire space. We can install a new crawl space dehumidifier to keep humidity levels low.
Finding the Cause of Water in the Crawl Space
We will work to identify the cause of the water in your crawl space to figure out the right solution to solve the problem. If you have gutters and downspouts that aren’t leading far enough away from the home, this can lead to water seeping into the crawl space. You may need to have gutters cleaned or repaired if they can no longer remove water adequately away from the foundation. Once the water source is uncovered, we will let you know if this is something we repair or if you will need additional support to get the job done.
When you are a homeowner, you deserve to have the peace of mind that comes with working with a professional company for any necessary crawl space repair. Learn about your crawl space and foundation needs with a free crawl space inspection. Call BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair at (757) 460-0444 today, or use our online contact form and set up an appointment for a free consultation. We will be happy to talk to you about any concerns you have regarding your home, and we will work to find a solution to your damp crawl space needs.
Prevention Services
Many people have dealt with water in their home’s crawl space in the past. Unfortunately, it’s not impossible for this issue to occur over and over again, leading to the same issues you’ve experienced in the past.
With the installation of a water management solution you can prevent your crawl space from flooding or accumulating too much moisture as a result of excess groundwater or similar natural causes.
Other treatment options such as encapsulation or the installation of a dehumidifier require that any flooding be taken care of beforehand. Similarly, you’ll need to prevent flooding in the future in order for these methods to remain effective in controlling the conditions of your crawl space
Different Removal Methods For Different Scenarios
Depending on how severe your crawl space flooding is, it can sometimes be difficult to remove the excess water through basic treatment options. Over time, water has the potential to cause structural damage to your home. In certain cases, you may even find that the floors in your home begin to sag or sink.
If the problem persists, you risk experiencing a full collapse of the flooring over the crawl space, which can put you and your family in danger (in addition to requiring immediate repairs). Fortunately, all of these are preventable by taking action before the water in your crawl space begins to affect the foundation of your home.
We have a variety of methods at our disposal to handle any water removal situation with ease. An experienced member of our team will assess the situation and take the most appropriate course of action to resolve the issue and minimize the chance of recurrence.
French Drains
These drain systems allow you to remove unwanted water from your crawl space and relocate it to an area of your choosing. A quality drain will allow water to pass through but prevent other substances (like sand and debris) from becoming an issue.
Our team will ensure that your drain is installed effectively and out of sight, allowing it to function properly without being visible. Depending on the size of your crawl space and how water accumulates within it, the size and depth of your drain will vary. One of our professionals will assess your crawl space and determine what metrics are right for you.
Sump Pump + Basin
When flooding occurs, a properly installed sump pump basin will be able to protect the sump pump as it functions. It should also have a direct connection with drainage pipes and have an anti-float plate that keeps everything intact while it operates in high water levels.
The pump itself is activated by the presence of water and promptly discharged outside of the crawl space once it reaches a certain level. If everything functions properly, the water won’t be able to rise above a specific height.
An important factor to keep in mind is that a crawl space sump pump should always be automatic. Installing one that you have to manually operate won’t be practical during heavy storms or actual floods.
Battery Backup Sump Pump
This sump pump variant activates in the event of a power outage. It’s typically powered by a 12V deep-cycle battery and can typically remove approximately 2,300 gallons per hour, which should be more than sufficient enough to manage the excess water in your crawl space.
If your home loses power during a storm and you aren’t able to sufficiently manage your crawl space’s water level, you could end up with extensive damage that requires costly repairs. We recommend the battery backup variant due to the peace of mind that it provides.
How It Works
Step 1: Schedule a Free Assessment
By filling out our online request form or contacting our team by phone, you can schedule a free assessment of your property. This will allow us to determine how severe your crawl space issues are and recommend the best solution possible for you.
Step 2: Choose Your Plan of Action
After one of our professionals visits your property and documents the situation, you can discuss your options with them. Depending on the scenario, you may have a handful to choose from, but our team will help you choose the one that’s best for you. We also offer financing options with our loan program and don’t require a deposit to begin working! Schedule a date with us to make the necessary repairs.
Step 3: We’ll Solve the Problem
Our team members have nearly 100 years of combined experience in the industry, meaning they’ve dealt with a vast majority of possible crawl space scenarios. This means fast, efficient, and reliable service on our end, and great results on yours.
Step 4: We’ll Leave Your Property in Great Shape
After our crew completes the project, we’ll be sure to restore your property to prime condition. After we remove our equipment and materials, it will look like we were never there!
If there were any areas outside our expertise that need attention, our team will let you know so you can prevent issues from developing.
Our top priority is taking care of your home.
Step 5: Final Inspection
After we’re finished, our Senior Project Manager will personally inspect your property to ensure that the work meets our quality control standards, giving you the assurance that the job was completed properly and with excellent results.
Why Choose Our Services?
BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair is ranked within the top 5% of crawl space and foundation repair companies in the United States. We’ve also been given an ‘A’ rating on Angie’s list for our remarkable performance and customer service. Our clients also have plenty to say about it.
“Great professional company. Austin, Asian, and Jerred did an outstanding job putting in my new French drain. They were prompt and respectful the entire and kept me appraised of their progress. I definitely would hire this company again.” – Max K.
“Professional from start to finish. Blake gave us a competitive quote and sent his crew in. The crew communicated well on the job and were prompt, kind and professional. They even helped us run down our dog when he escaped into the neighborhood. We appreciate the hard work and our crawl space looks so much better!!” – Missy Harwood
“We selected Bay Crawl Space after estimates from several companies and are happy we did. Stefan, Emmanuel, and Troy were great workers for the two-week schedule and kept us informed of everything they were doing, why, how, and when. They were friendly, interesting guys and we enjoyed talking with them. They answered every question we had, no matter how uninformed we were. Our interactions with the office were also good. They informed us of schedules and expectations in a timely manner. If you have to go through foundation repair and crawlspace repair Bay is a good choice.” – Larry Wiseman
Book Your Free Assessment Today
We offer premier crawl space and foundation repair service. Book a free assessment to see how we can help.
Call Now: (757) 460-0444
