Water in Crawl Space: Is It Normal After Heavy Rain?

flooded underside of a home

The shortest answer to the question above is no. Water in crawl space after heavy rain may be common, but it isn’t normal. Instead, it’s a sign that you must contact a waterproofing contractor in Maryland to help you maintain the underside of your home. Learn more information below.

How Does Water Get In Your Crawl Space After a Heavy Rain?

There are many reasons why your crawl space gets flooded after a rainstorm or heavy rain. You may have defective window wells, improper grading, inadequate guttering or downspouts, or clogged drainage around your home’s foundation.

What Can Happen If You Have a Flooded Crawl Space?

Standing water in your crawl space can cause many problems. These include:

 Structural Damage

Water in the crawl space increases moisture levels in the area. If this happens, the wooden structures in the underside of your home, such as joists and beams, may rot, threatening your property’s structural integrity.

 Mold, Pest, and Insect Infestation

If your crawl space is damp, there’s a high possibility that the area can get infested with molds, pests, and insects. These include spiders, ants, cockroaches, rodents, mosquitoes, and termites.

 Health Problems

If the underside of your home is infested with pests, insects, or molds, your health may be put at risk. Molds, for example, can cause allergic symptoms like coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, stuffy nose, skin rash, and sore throat. Mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents can also cause infectious diseases such as rabies, Lyme disease, and Zika virus.

 Poor Indoor Air Quality

Most of the air you breathe inside your home comes from the underside of your property. That said, if the air in your crawl space is of poor quality, so is the air inside your house.

 Increased Energy Bills

Water in the crawl space can increase the humidity levels of the air inside your home. If this happens, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system must work harder to keep you and your family comfortable. And since your HVAC unit uses a lot of energy, expect your electricity bill to increase.

Contact DryTek Crawlspace Solutions Today!

If you want to ensure that the underside of your home remains dry after heavy rain, reach out to the experts at DryTek Crawlspace Solutions today. We offer waterproofing, encapsulating, and insulating services. Contact us now to get your crawl space inspected by our waterproofing contractor.