The crawlspace tends to get a pretty bad reputation, and is often portrayed as dark and spooky. The only thing that should scare you about your crawl space though is the risk of it flooding. By being a proactive homeowner, you can spot and fix issues around your home that could lead to big water damage problems in your crawlspace, and help protect it from flooding. Here are some great places to start:
Crawlspace Encapsulation In LBI
Inspect your foundation for any cracks. Cracks in the foundation allow water a way into your home. You should inspect the exterior of your foundation on a regular basis, and if you come across any cracks during your inspection you should get them filled. If you encounter a more serious foundation problem, be sure to call a professional so that you do not leave your home at risk for water damage.
Keep water from pooling around your foundation by cleaning and maintaining gutters and downspouts. Cleaning your gutters is an essential part of water damage prevention. When debris blogs gutter and downspouts, water is not able to flow freely through them and can pool and collect against the foundation of your home. This can cause flooding in the crawlspace, so it is important to ensure that water is directed at least 3 feet away from your foundation.
Another potential source of pooling water around your home’s foundation is the slope of your yard and even the shape of your flowerbed. If your yard slopes toward your home, water will run towards your home and pool up around your foundation. With nowhere else to go, this water will eventually find its way inside. You may need to re-grade your lawn or flowerbeds to prevent this from occurring.
Maintain your sump pump. Sump pump failure is the most frequent cause of flooding in the crawlspace. The sump pump is a great line of defense in combating mold, water damage, and flooding in your crawlspace, but simply having a pump does not ensure it will work properly. Sump pumps require proper maintenance to keep them functioning correctly. It is also a good idea to invest in a battery operated backup sump pump or a generator for your sump pump that can kick in when a heavy storm comes or if the power goes out.
While these maintenance tips can greatly reduce your risk of flooding, the only way to guarantee your crawlspace will be safe from excess moisture is through crawlspace encapsulation. When you follow all the above advice and then add crawlspace encapsulation, you can rest assured that problems like mold and excess moisture are eliminated. Crawlspace encapsulation is a type of indoor moisture control that seals and maintains a healthy humidity level inside the crawlspace, and helps reduce the risk of water damage and flooding. The professionals at Stretch Cleaning know exactly how to handle each crawlspace situation, and provide crawl space encapsulation services in Long Beach Island to help protect your home.
The crawlspace tends to get a pretty bad reputation, and is often portrayed as dark and spooky. The only thing that should scare you about your crawl space though is the risk of it flooding. By being a proactive homeowner, you can spot and fix issues around your home that could lead to big water damage problems in your crawlspace, and help protect it from flooding. Here are some great places to start: