Top 3 Causes of a Wet Crawl Space

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

Remove leaves and other debris from gutters on a regular basis in your South Oceanside, CA

3 Causes for Flooding Below Your Home

How often do homeowners in South Oceanside, CA, go into the crawl space? If you are only heading down there once a year for holiday decorations, you are not checking often enough. A wet crawl space can cause a host of secondary problems from water damage. Here are the top three causes for flooding below your home and what to do next.

1. Gutters and Downspouts

The most common source of rainwater seeping into the house is improper upkeep of exterior gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves and other debris from gutters on a regular basis to keep them functioning properly. Check the downspouts to confirm they have a two foot block extension on the end and are aimed away from the house.

2. Landscaping

When designing and caring for your yard, make choices to prevent a wet crawl space. First, observe the gradient of the space near your home. If the plot slopes towards the house, rainwater can pool and threaten the foundation. Remedy this by slanting the land away from the house. Second, don’t overwater plants and saturate the soil. Finally, always check that the hose is off to avoid a man-made flood from finding its way in.

3. Broken Pipes

Unfortunately, sometimes pipes burst without warning. If your water bill seems higher than usual or you notice dampness in walls or carpeting, check the crawl space. Leaking pipes take the natural course of gravity which can lead to flooding in the lowest part of your home.

After a big storm in South Oceanside, CA, check to see if you have a wet crawl space. Even without significant rainfall, peek down there at least once a month to ensure that it is dry. Any time water sits for an extended period of time, especially in a dark environment, mold threatens to grow and spread. Water restoration specialists have the knowledge and tools to locate the source of the flood and mitigate the damage.