If water has penetrated your home’s crawl space, it’s time to act. Crawl space water removal isn’t easy, but with the right steps, you’ll return your home to top condition. Here are some of the best tips for dealing with a flood:
Identify the Source
Before any work to remove the water can begin, you’ll have to pinpoint where all the water is coming from. A little water in your crawl space is normal after a heavy storm. However, if there is constantly more than an inch or two of water beneath your home, there might be a different explanation.
Unfortunately, water can invade a crawl space in several ways, including foundation cracks, gutter issues, improper grading or a broken pipe. Determining the source of the water will give you the information you need to successfully remove the water and prevent it from happening in the future.
Consider Safety
Your safety is paramount when dealing with standing water beneath your home. You can, of course, choose to hire a professional to remove the water for you, although DIYers can restore flooded areas with the right safety apparel at their disposal. Here are a few things you should make sure to have:
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Mask
- Boots
- Knee pads
- Long sleeves and pants
Remove Water From the Crawl Space
A sump pump or wet vacuum can remove water from a flooded crawl space. Which one you’ll need to use will depend on the amount of water beneath your home. You’ll usually only need a pump in more severe situations where there’s a lot of water to get rid of. If you’re dealing with a more minor flood, using a wet shop vac should do the trick.
Once you’ve removed the puddles, you should spray the area with a disinfectant, such as bleach, and scrub surfaces clean to eliminate bacteria and mold spores. Setting up fans and a dehumidifier will also help eliminate any leftover moisture and minimize the risk of mold growth in your home’s support beams and foundation, potentially leading to serious structural damage.
Take Precautions for the Future
Installing a sump pump in your crawl space is an effective strategy to reduce the likelihood of flooding. These devices usually sit in the bottom of a pit and are responsible for pumping out water when it reaches a certain height.
Prevent Floods With a Sump Pump From Zoeller at Home
Are you looking for ways to prevent your crawl space from flooding in the future? At Zoeller, we maintain a vast inventory of performance-oriented sump pumps capable of keeping your home dry. Check out our inventory and use our retailer locator to determine where to find a crawl space pump near you!
