Water tends to seep in or damage even the best homes– Forbes reported that nearly 25% of annual home insurance claims include some sort of water damage. Since they’re both close to the ground and tucked out of sight, crawl spaces are a top culprit of water damage.

We’ll cover the basics of keeping water out of your crawl space in the first place, as well as tips to properly drying out one that’s already been flooded.

How to Keep Water from Your Crawl Space

A crawl space can include anything from a small cement cellar to exposed packed dirt with a few inches to a few feet of space before the next floor of the home.

Here are a few common ways water can get into your crawl space:

• Burst pipe from indoor plumbing
• Seeping from a cracked foundation
• Irrigation or water main leaks
• Grading problems (i.e., the home is settling lower into the ground, creating a new slope for rainwater)

Protection begins with knowing the warning signs of water damage, where emergency water shutoff valves are, and regularly monitoring the area to reduce long-standing flood damage.

How to Dry a Flooded Crawl Space

While you will need to take immediate action yourself when you discover a flooded crawl space, you do not want to rely on your work alone.

1) Turn off electricity

The most immediate danger of a flooded crawl space is exposing electricity to the water. The first thing to do is to turn off the electricity to the whole house, in case any of the wiring to higher levels also runs through the crawl space.

2. Investigate

The next thing to do is do your best to locate the source from the list above. Your next move will depend on where the water is coming from.

If you can tell it’s from a burst pipe or water line, you’ll be able to turn off the source of the water. If it’s coming in from outside, you may be able to find the hole and block it.

3) Remove the water and begin drying

The third step is the arduous task of getting all standing water out of the space and drying the area. This process can include filling buckets, using a sump pump, and continuously repositioning fans.

You can do this yourself, but we recommend calling in the experts.

4) Professionally Fix the Leak

Once the space is dry, you’ll want to call in a professional to deal with the source of the leak, whether that’s a plumber, resealing company, or other contractors.

5) Restore the Area

Don’t stop there! Be sure to schedule an appointment with a professional water damage restoration company to ensure the safety of your home’s structure and the health of your family from mold and mildew.

Dealing with water damage or just want to keep your home mold-free and safe from the accompanying health hazards? Contact A+ Restoration Services today to get your free consultation from Indianapolis’ One Stop Shop in water damage restoration and mold remediation.