How Do I Get Rid of the Water?

Once the standing water is found in the crawl space, your next question is what to do next. Whether the crawl space contains water from heavy rains or just general moisture that has the tendency to build up from dirt floors, there are a few solutions that a professional can recommend. 

• Sump Pump 

A common solution for homes with crawl spaces is a sump pump. If the water is a result of rain or a water leak, a sump pump will remove the water from that area. As long as you get the right model, and have it installed by a professional, it can address any water problems long before the levels rise and begin to cause damage. 

Sump pumps come with a basin that collects the water as soon as it begins to gather from the interior drainage system. It then pumps it out through a discharge pipe and can direct it to drain away from the home. Some come with a backup battery that ensures they work efficiently even if the power goes out, such as during a storm. Their capacity may vary, depending on the model, but a professional can recommend one that’s perfectly capable of handling your unique crawl space (and its unique water problems).  

• Encapsulation 

Encapsulation is a good solution for crawl spaces that do not have a finished floor. The encapsulation process will put a vapor barrier between the dirt floor, the walls, and the rest of the crawl space, preventing any moisture from coming up from the ground below and seeping into the home. 

Not only does encapsulation help with any standing water; it also prevents a multitude of foundation problems, such as cracking from moisture, rot, or mold. Any such problems will affect the home as a whole rather than just the crawl space itself. A professional may be able to apply this fix in no time, so you don’t have to contend with an escalating problem.