Crawl Space Water Check for Lake Oswego, OR
Most homes here sit over vented crawl spaces, and months of winter rain push water under the house. Check the signs you have noticed to see how likely a wet crawl space is.
(888) 373-8814Wet crawl space? Call 24/7Is water collecting under the house?
Tick every sign that fits. The score adds them up and suggests what to do next, from a winter check to pumping and drying.
Check the signs you have noticed.
A screening check only, not an inspection. A moisture meter and a look under the house decide.
Ask about a wet crawl spaceCrawl space water in Lake Oswego, OR
Long wet winters
Most of the year's rain falls from October to April. Saturated soil around the foundation lets water seep in under the house for weeks at a time.
Hillside lots
Homes built into a slope catch runoff from the yard above. Without drainage, that water runs straight to the lowest point, which is often the crawl space.
Pipes and ducts below the floor
Supply pipes, drains and heating ducts run through the crawl space. A slow leak there can soak the soil and insulation for months before anyone notices.
Already wet? See crawl space water removal, water extraction and structural drying.
Crawl Space Water Check questions
How do I check a crawl space safely?
Look from the access hatch with a flashlight first. Do not crawl in if there is standing water near wiring, a strong sewage smell or a sagging floor above.
Is some moisture under the house normal?
Soil under a vapor barrier is damp, but standing water, wet insulation or water on top of the barrier is not. Those mean water is getting in.
Why does the house smell musty after rain?
Wet soil, wood and insulation under the floor release damp air that rises into the living space. The smell usually follows the wet weeks.
Does wet insulation need to come out?
Yes. Soaked fiberglass sags, holds water against the subfloor and stops insulating. It is pulled and replaced after the space is dry.
Does homeowners insurance cover crawl space water?
A sudden pipe leak is often covered; ground water and long-term seepage often are not. Coverage depends on your policy, so check with your own insurer.
Related water damage services
Crawl Space Water Removal
Water pooled on the vapor barrier pumped out, sagging insulation pulled and joists dried.
See the details ›Storm Water Damage
Wind-driven rain and hillside runoff that gets in at doors, windows and walls in a winter storm.
See the details ›Structural Drying and Dehumidification
Framing, subfloor and hardwood dried with LGR and desiccant units to a dry reference.
See the details ›Standing water under the floor?
Water under the house soaks insulation and joists. The extraction crew pumps it out and sets drying equipment.
(888) 373-8814Get the crawl space dried out