Basement and Crawl Space Flooding

Crawl spaces and basements collect water from plumbing leaks, groundwater, poor drainage and storms. Because nobody goes down there often, the damage can go on for months.

This topic is part of our complete guide to water damage restoration. The articles for this topic are listed at the end of the page.

Signs of water under the house

• Musty smell in the living areas.
• Soft, bouncy or cupping floors.
• Higher humidity and condensation on windows.
• Visible water, mud or wet insulation at the access hatch.
• Pests, which are drawn to damp spaces.

How it gets fixed

1. Pump out standing water.
2. Remove wet insulation and debris.
3. Dry the space with dehumidifiers and air movers, and check the wood with a meter.
4. Treat mold on joists and subfloor if it has started.
5. Fix the source: plumbing, grading, gutters or a vapor barrier.

See crawl space water extraction.