Prevent Crawl Space Water in OK and AR
Every year, severe spring storms sweep the Oklahoma and Arkansas area, causing pooling water and water seepage into crawl spaces. Water intrusion can be problematic for homeowners, creating both immediate and long term issues. Musty odors, mold growth, and wood deterioration are just a few common symptoms of moisture in crawl spaces. If you suspect water in your crawl space, don’t inspect it yourself. Standing water and messy crawl spaces can be difficult to inspect and service utilities. This is why you need to hire a waterproofing specialist to look for crawl space water-related issues. At Foundation Repair Services, we’ll assess your water problems and find the best remedy for your crawl space issues in the Oklahoma and Arkansas area. We’ll prevent crawl space water in your Oklahoma home.
What causes wet, damp crawl spaces in OK and Northwest AR? Most wet crawl spaces are caused by poorly drained surface water. Sources of this water may come from the following:
Clogged or missing gutters- Gutter leaks or overflow
- Clogged or improper downspouts
- Saturated soil due to over-watering in flower beds around the foundation wall
- Rainwater runoff from driveways, walkways, and lawn
However, there are additional factors that lead to damp, wet crawl spaces, such as:
- Homes built on downslopes, forcing foundation walls to act as dams
- Overflowing nearby creeks
- Leaky or clogged drains
- Ruptured sanitary lines and leaking pipes under the home or outside the wall
- Closed or inadequate venting around the foundation walls causes humidity to buildup in the crawl space
Any of these issues will lead to a wet, damp crawl space. If you suspect moisture in your crawl space, you may have one or more of the following issues:
Musty odors- Insect infestation
- Wood deterioration in beams, foundation footer, and floor joists
- Wall settlement
- Soil erosion underneath the foundation
- Wall movement and cracks
- Crawl space mold growth and mildew
- Wet insulation
- Surface condensation
- Warping or buckling floors above the crawl space
- Increase heating and cooling bills
Don’t let a wet, damp crawl space reduce the value of your home and affect your family’s health. Since mold thrives in damp, wet environments, your crawl space becomes the perfect habitat for mold growth. Mold spores can be dangerous, causing serious respiratory issues for the elderly and children. Mold exposure causes a rash, watery eyes, coughing and other allergy symptoms. The best way to prevent mold growth and water in your crawl space is to control the level of moisture.
Regardless of what is causing your crawl space moisture, our experts can locate the source so you can feel comfortable and safe in your home. Foundation Repair Services offers the best solutions to prevent crawl space water in your Oklahoma home.
Solutions to Prevent Crawl Space Water in Your Oklahoma and NW Arkansas Home
Inadequate site drainage and water issues often arise from new home construction as well as preexisting conditions. The key to preventing water in yards, wet crawl spaces, and wet basements is to have adequate surface drainage from all sides of the home. This will help prevent pooling water, soil erosion, and water intrusion in crawl spaces. Additional prevention tips include:
Installing a downspout extension to direct water away from the foundation wall- Construct a maximum slope to prevent soil erosion around the home
- Make sure walkways and driveways do not interfere with surface water drainage
- Install a heavy plastic sheet under the flower bed to avoid water from entering the crawl space
Most crawl space problems are solved by repairing and maintaining gutters and downspouts. But if these solutions fail, then you may need to hire a professional to install crawl space encapsulation. Crawl space encapsulation consists of a vapor barrier that guards your crawl space against moisture and water. A vapor barrier is a thick, high-density polyethylene membrane that is applied to the foundation walls and floor. It helps block out insects, pollutants, and moisture.
Our experts will help you find and prevent the source of your problem. Don’t settle for quick, easy alternatives because they won’t permanently fix the issue. Contact our experts today to prevent wet, damp crawl spaces in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
