How does SERVPRO remediate flooding in your crawlspace?

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Air Movers in Crawlspace

The crawlspace under your home is a structural design built to reduce the exposure of your main floor to damage from sources such as flooding. Unfortunately, your crawlspace itself can be flooded. While this might not be as pressing and severe as several inches of standing water in the main level of your residence, it is a situation that you want to take care of as soon as possible.

Flood extraction in Madison county homes and their crawlspaces requires a series of powerful tools and proven approaches. Because your crawlspace is a confined area, the methods of extraction and drying change and can be much more complicated. You can count on SERVPRO  of North Huntsville to help. 

Should I Do Anything About Flood Water in My Crawl Space?

You would not be alone in thinking that standing flood water in your crawlspace is not a considerable problem. You might even be among the homeowners that initially choose to do nothing about this circumstance, assuming that it can get better on its own through natural drainage. In truth, there are many reasons that crawl space flooding should be resolved as soon as it is discovered. These include:

• Deteriorating Structural Elements – Supports and subflooring can become damaged by direct exposure to flooding or the elevated moisture beneath the house.
• Microbial Growth – Increased moisture and dampness throughout this area can facilitate mold growth, which can eventually affect the main floor of the home.
• Bacterial or Viral Pathogens – With natural flooding, there is a high probability that the standing water in your crawl space has some form of bacteria or contaminant. From sewage to decaying organisms, many dangerous substances and solids can be brought into your crawlspace during a flood.

What contaminants should be of concern after flooding?

SERVPRO technicians are trained to treat floodwaters the same as bio-hazards such as sewage water. The reason being that there is no way to know what has found its way into the water. For the technicians that must enter the crawlspace to set up extraction equipment and drying tools, we ensure that each of these professionals wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. This gear includes Tyvek full-body suits, respirators, gloves, and closed shoes. This head-to-toe protection protects our technicians from contaminants such as:

• Bacteria
• Debris
• Mud
• Decaying Materials
• Oil
• Chemical Substances

How does SERPVRO remove the water and moisture from a crawlspace?

Confined spaces can be potentially problematic for extraction and drying, especially when it comes to setting up the equipment in the appropriate areas. The right choices can ensure that standing water is promptly removed and structural drying can begin. With some of the pumps and extractors having a limited discharge and intake hose available, only specific extractors and drying tools can be efficient and effective in flood loss events damaging a crawlspace. These include:

• Submersible Pumps – Sump pumps can vary in their power supply, sizes, and strength. While one of the most common extractors used by our SERVPRO team is the electric submersible pump, these are often ineffective in standing water that has solids and debris floating in it. In these cases, gas-powered trash pumps can move this water out of the damaged areas.
• Wet Vacuums – For standing water that is only a few inches deep, wet vacuums can often complete the removal process. These are versatile machines that are highly portable, making extraction of the entire crawlspace fast and efficient.
• Air Movers – Centrifugal and axial air movers both can play a vital role in the evaporative drying of structural elements and the open-air beneath your house. Before permanent long-term solutions can get installed, thorough drying must take place.

Are There Long-Term Solutions to Prevent Flood Damage?

Preventing flooding in the future is not as complicated as it sounds. With crawlspace encapsulation, SERVPRO can take thick plastic sheeting called a vapor barrier and coat every exposed surface in the crawlspace to keep out floodwaters. The installation of drainage and a permanent sump pump can also help to divert water from pooling in your crawlspace if you live in a flood-prone area.

If you find yourself facing flooding in your crawlspace, call SERVPRO of North Huntsville at (256) 534-1177. Our team will work quickly to protect your home, its contents, and its occupants.