If you're having trouble with a wet crawl space, you may need to call a crawl space waterproofing contractor to take a look at your problem. The space under your house should always be dry so you can avoid water damage and other issues, and a contractor has options for waterproofing the area. Here's why you should dry out the crawl space and a look at why a drain and sump pump might be the right solution.

Why It's Important To Keep Your Crawl Space Dry

A wet crawl space is similar to having a wet basement. Foul odors from stagnant water and mildew will waft up to your living space and make your home smell bad. Even worse, the water causes damage to insulation and wood building materials under your home.

The floor above the crawl space might even rot due to excess humidity and mold. The foundation of your home could even be damaged, and that might be expensive to repair. A wet crawl space isn't just a smelly nuisance, it could endanger your home.

How A Drainage System With A Sump Pump Helps

The crawl space waterproofing contractor might decide the right waterproofing method is to put in a sump pump and drain. First, all the water-damaged material needs to be taken out. Then the vapor barrier on the floor is removed. After that, the contractor might dig a small trench along the walls of your crawl space so a drain can be put in. The purpose of the drain is to catch water when it seeps in the crawl space before it has a chance to collect on the surface of the dirt floor and puddle.

The drain moves water over to a sump pump that holds the water until the water level is high enough to trigger the pump to come on and move the water out of the crawl space. The drain and sump pump system could put an end to your water problem so the space under your house stays dry.

The last step in crawl space waterproofing is to put down another vapor barrier to keep moisture from seeping up through the soil. Your contractor might even recommend encapsulating the crawl space. This involves using a much thicker barrier on the floor and up the walls to stop moisture.

When encapsulation is done, the contractor may also need to install a dehumidifier that ensures the encapsulated space stays dry. Once the space is dry and stays that way, mold and rotting are stopped, and your home is protected from foul odors and water damage.