As homeowners in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, you’re no stranger to the region’s unique climate and its effects on your home. Nothing is more damaging than water or excessive moisture – both of which we’re known for in the PNW. One essential but often overlooked part of your home’s health is the crawl space. Named for the fact that it’s typically too small to stand up in, requiring you to “crawl” when navigating through it, the crawl space serves as an essential access point for plumbing, wiring, and insulation. A dry and well-maintained crawl space is key to preventing a whole host of issues.
Significance of Proper Crawl Space Drainage
The PNW is known for its rain and high humidity, making crawl spaces prone to moisture buildup. Without adequate drainage, standing water, or excessive moisture can lead to various problems. Some of the most common issues we see are:
- Mold Growth: Mold and mildew growth in a damp crawl space can lead to indoor air quality issues, exacerbating allergies and respiratory problems.
- Wood Rot: Unchecked moisture will lead to wood rot, compromising the structural integrity of your home and causing costly repairs.
- Pests and Rodents: Pests like termites, carpenter ants, and rodents thrive in damp, dark, undisturbed areas. An improperly drained crawl space is precisely what they’re looking for to set up new colonies and wreak havoc on your home.
Mold, wood rot, and pests cause billions of dollars in home repairs every year. One of the easiest ways to prevent costly repairs is to ensure you have a crawl space drainage system in place. If you have standing water in your crawl space, don’t hesitate to contact professionals for crawl space repair.
Drainage Repair Options
There are several options for drainage repair, depending on the condition that the crawl space is in. ABA HVAC and Home Solutions technicians utilize a variety of drainage repair options such as:
- Vapor Barrier: There are multiple options, but the most common vapor barrier is plastic sheeting that protects your crawl space. Regardless of flooring type, a vapor barrier is always recommended and doubles as a form of supplemental insulation.
- Sump Pump: Recommended for homes with drainage issues under their home, a sump pump is installed at the lowest point of the crawl space and varies in size and horsepower depending on the distance it needs to pump the accumulating water. Having a sump pump can make all the difference during times of heavy rain, snow, or flooding.
- Discharge Drain: This is when hard PVC pipes are installed to safely channel the water from the crawl space into a street drain, downspout drain, or a free-flow slope depending on need.
- French Drain: This is when a trench is dug around the interior or exterior perimeter of the crawl space. A perforated pipe covered in a cloth sock is installed and covered with drain rock.
Professionals You Can Trust
Our highly trained professionals at ABA HVAC and Home Solutions have over 15 years of industry experience. Locally owned and operated, our owner supervises every job site. With us, you’re in the hands of a team that not only knows what they’re doing but cares about the quality of their work. Whether you need immediate crawl space drainage repair or are looking to install a crawl space drainage system, don’t hesitate to contact us today!