The Dangers of Crawl Space Flooding: How It Can Damage Your Home

Every homeowner knows how important house maintenance is, but sometimes, the danger can come from places we least expect. In most houses nowadays, there is a crawl space, and we usually tend to forget that space even exists.

However, it is as beneficial for you as it can be dangerous, and if you don’t do proper maintenance, you risk damaging your home. One thing that not many people know about is that if this part of your house gets flooded, it can easily destroy your home. In this article, we are going to give you more information about the dangers that come with flooding in this part of your property, and how you can prevent it and protect your house.

Causes for flooding

 

Before we delve into the damages it can make, let’s first talk about the causes of flooding and why they happen.

There are many reasons why this could happen, and the main one is faulty plumbing. If there are any pipes that are leaking, you may not notice the water because it will go down to this area. Know that you need to regularly check your pipes, and if there are any leaks you need to act as soon as possible. Pay attention to water gathering in the bathroom and the kitchen, and if you cannot find the source, then you need to call a plumber as soon as possible if you can’t fix it yourself.

Know that the crawl space can also flood through the floor, so sometimes, when there is flooding upstairs, we make sure we clean everything except this part of the house. In case there was excessive water in your house, you need to check under your home as well.

In addition to this, the flood can occur because of damaged walls, gutters, roofs, and even doors and windows. You need to inspect your home for holes, and if you notice any, you need to repair them as soon as you can.

Lastly, if you have vents installed in your crawl space, you may leave them open, and during the rainy season, they can cause floods in this area. You need to check the vents for blockages, and you need to make sure they are closed before it rains.

Potential damages

Now let’s talk about the damages that could occur in case there is leftover water in this part of your home.

As you already know, trapped water will lead to mold, and even though there are thousands of types of mold, the ones we find in our homes can usually lead to health problems. You may experience nose bleeds, allergies, rapid changes in your blood pressure, and even breathing issues. If you want to stay safe, you need to make sure your home is mold and mildew-free and that your family is always protected. If mold is detected, then make sure you have Elite Moisture Control come out to fully remove all mold.

Another problem that will occur when there is water that does not get dried in time is that it is going to penetrate the wooden supports, and it will make them rot. Even though this is not something that will make a difference right away, in time it will fully damage them and it is going to make your home a risky place to live in. Know that when the wooden supports are rotten they will not keep the home safe, and even if there is just one small earthquake it can lead to destruction and a massive catastrophe.

If this space is left flooded, it can destroy the electrical equipment, and it is a potential fire hazard. As you know, water and electricity don’t go well together, and you will be risking your life. Know that if this happens, you risk spending thousands of dollars on repairs, and there are even some things that cannot be repaired.

Lastly, the water, along with the rotten wood and mold will definitely destroy the insulation in your home, and you will feel the difference in your bills. Your home will constantly feel cold, and you may even feel the breeze coming from under the house.

Note that these are just some of the things that may occur in case there is trapped water in the crawl space. Remember that preventing this from happening is going to be far cheaper and less time-consuming than doing all the repairs after damage occurs.

How to prevent it?

Now let’s talk about how you can prevent flooding in this area of your home. Well, the easiest way to do this is to make sure your crawlspace is encapsulated. This will help prevent any moisture from lingering there, and you will also protect the area from any mold or decomposition.

In addition to encapsulating the crawl space, you need to also check your plumbing, and see if all the pipes are good. See if there are any leaks or holes in and around your house, and don’t forget that a damaged roof or gutters can lead to flooding in this space.

You need to maintain your whole home if you want to prevent damages and destruction, and if you do that regularly, you won’t have any issues. Note that when you fix and replace things on time, it will not cost you a lot, and it will not take a lot of time. However, the costs and the time will be sky high in case you don’t act on time.

If you want to be extra secure, you can also invest in a dehumidifier that you can install in your crawl space, so even if there is some leftover moisture, the device will get rid of it. This way you won’t risk fungus or mold, and you will sleep soundly knowing your house and your family are protected.

These are the most important things you need to know about crawlspace flooding, what it can lead to and how to prevent it. Remember that there are many services that can help you prevent this from happening, and it is always better to stay safe than to try and fix serious problems and destruction.