5 Signs of Water in Your Crawl Space

If you own a crawl space, you know it’s easy to ignore it. After all, it’s not the most comfortable place to check for issues. Unfortunately, Florida tends to be a pretty wet place, and it can cause some serious problems for your crawl space.

Water in your crawl space leads to all kinds of problems, but having an understanding of the problem signs gives you a leg up. By the end of this page, you’ll know what to look out for so you can act quickly and put water back in its place.

What Does it Mean When a Crawl Space is Wet?

Sagging, damaged insulation hanging from the top of a crawl space.

A damp crawl space means that water is getting into the area for some reason. This can be any form of water, including water vapor and liquid water.

Water vapor usually gets into the crawl space during humid months. Open vents and cracks in the crawl space walls make it easy for humid air to leak under your home. If not mitigated, humidity can weaken wooden support beams in the crawl space, leading to issues like mold, wood rot, and sagging floors.

Sometimes, crawl space moisture may be a sign of groundwater around the crawl space. Most crawl spaces have dirt floors, which absorb groundwater and contribute to a damp crawl space as the water builds.

5 Signs That There is Water in Your Crawl Space

Water in your crawl space is never a good sign. You should act as soon as you see it. If you notice the following issues within your crawl space or home, then it’s important to call a professional team like Alpha Foundations right away.

1. Mold and Mildew

Mold in the crawl space is a sign that there is too much moisture below your home. If unaddressed, the mold spores can spread into your living space and become an even bigger problem. Not to mention, you’ll be breathing in mold spores from the crawl space which could exacerbate allergies or respiratory issues.

2. Pest Infestation

Dark and moist areas like the crawl space provide the perfect breeding grounds for pests and insects. If you notice more spiders, roaches, and rodents in your home, this is a sure sign that your crawl space is having problems. Although using insecticides or calling pest control can mitigate this problem, chances are that the problem could return if you do not fix the issue in your crawl space.

3. Musty, Damp Air

If the moisture levels in your crawl space rise, the air in your home will eventually become damp and musty. This can make your home feel humid and create an unpleasant smell that becomes noticeable every time you walk into the home. As such, it is important to have the problem repaired immediately to avoid health problems and damp furniture.

4. High Electric Bills

When your crawl space has water in it, insulation below your home is likely to become damaged and ineffective. As a result, any humidity coming from the crawl space will seep into your home and make it harder for the HVAC system to keep temperatures cool. High energy bills may reflect an issue in your crawl space.

5. Standing Water

If there is standing water in your crawl space, it’s a sign that water is leaking into the crawl space. This is a major problem that needs to be fixed before it causes damage to your home. Leaving the water to sit for a long time can lead to other issues like a weakened foundation, mold, and mildew.

How to Prevent Crawl Space Moisture

As a homeowner, your goal should be to keep the crawl space as dry as possible, or at the very least, keep the humidity levels at 55% or less. After all, a dry crawl space is far superior and better for the integrity of your home’s structure. Hence, it is important that you take precautionary measures to prevent crawl space moisture.

Install a Vapor Barrier

Encapsulating your crawl space with a moisture and vapor barrier prevents excess moisture from getting into this area under your home. It ensures the space remains dry, comfortable, and controlled. Vapor barriers cover any gaps that may allow humid air and water to seep inside. With this shield in place, moisture won’t have a chance to pile up and become a problem.

Alpha Foundations installer placing a vapor barrier along the walls of a crawl space.

Install a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier effectively wrings moisture out of your crawl space, preventing the growth of mold. This also helps to keep everything in the area dry, removes any musty smells, and makes the area less hospitable for pests.

Installer wearing protective gear, with hands on a crawl space dehumidifier.

Install Crawl Space Drainage

Keeping groundwater out of the crawl space is an important aspect of keeping your crawl space dry. This is possible with crawl space drainage. Installed below the soil within your crawl space, these drains capture groundwater and move it away from the crawl space before it has a chance to form puddles below your home.

Installers getting ready to place crawl space drainage into the dirt floor of a crawl space.

Schedule a Free Crawl Space Inspection With Alpha Foundations

Alpha Foundations employee carrying rolled up, grey-colored drainage matting.

Unsure if you have water in your crawl space? Get in touch with your trusted local crawl space company, Alpha Foundations.

Since 2002, we’ve been helping homeowners in Florida protect their crawl spaces from moisture damage. Contact us today to schedule a free crawl space inspection, and we’ll create a plan that suits your home’s needs and stops moisture issues in their tracks.

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Ted Dryce

Content Writer

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.