Crawl Space Water Causes in New Jersey

Understanding the Causes of Crawl Space Moisture

While a little water in your crawl space may not seem like a big deal, without identifying the root cause and calling in professional crawl space waterproofers, you may end up with problems like wood rot, pest infestations, and mold growth.

No matter the cause, if you spot water in your crawl space, it’s time to take action – and Blue Umbrella is ready to help. Below, learn more about the most common causes for water in crawl spaces in New Jersey, and how we can help you protect your home.

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Reasons Why Your Crawl Space is Wet

If you have water in your crawl space, you’re not alone. This is a problem that many New Jersey homeowners face. From flooding and a high water table to hydrostatic pressure and improper grading, there are multiple reasons that you may be seeing water in your crawl space. Even though water and moisture in the crawl space are frequent problems for homeowners in NJ, they still need to be addressed by experienced professionals.

As a trusted local New Jersey waterproofing company, Blue Umbrella understands the area’s unique causes of crawl space moisture. We offer comprehensive crawl space waterproofing services to keep your crawl space dry and your home healthy. With more than 20 years of experience, we’ve seen it all. Here are some common causes of water infiltration in your crawl space.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure sounds complicated, but it’s really just the pressure of a fluid at rest. Hydrostatic pressure, as it relates to your crawl space, refers to the pressure your foundation, basement, or crawl space walls experience when too much water accumulates in the ground around them.

Think about a swimming pool. To keep water inside the pool, the walls must withstand internal water pressure. Conversely, your crawl space needs waterproofing solutions that address external water pressure, so that moisture stays out of your crawl space.

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High Water Table

A water table refers to the ground under your home where the soil becomes completely saturated. A high water table can lead to water pooling in your crawl space. Water table levels vary based on several factors, from temperature to weather conditions, and homeowners in

New Jersey may experience high water table levels due to weather-related incidents like flooding after a rainstorm or moisture from melting snow.

New Jersey crawl space water seepage through wall

Groundwater Seepage

Groundwater seepage occurs when excess water in the ground surrounding your crawl space forces its way into your crawl space. Frost heave and expansive soils are common causes of groundwater seepage for NJ homeowners.

As the name suggests, expansive soils absorb water and expand, which can cause pressure that leads to seepage. When the ground freezes during winter, expansive soil creates pressure that can cause water to seep into your crawl space.

Stack Effect

The stack effect is heat transfer that occurs when outdoor air mixes with the air in your crawl space and works its way up into your home, eventually exiting through an attic or roof. This is problematic because outdoor air and indoor air differ in moisture content and temperature.

When these airs combine, it results in humidity. Too much humidity in your crawl space can lead to moisture accumulation and water damage problems like mold growth, so you need waterproofing solutions that keep outdoor air from entering your crawl space.

MORE ABOUT THE STACK EFFECT >

Improper Yard Grading

You know that the water that accumulates in the soil surrounding your home needs somewhere to go, and proper grading will create a sufficient path for drainage.

However, many New Jersey homeowners deal with pooling water in their yards or crawl spaces because of improper grading. Correcting improper yard grading is essential as it often involves extensive excavation, leading to property disturbances and costly bills.

Clogged or Damaged Gutters

If you’re dealing with water accumulation in your crawl space, your roof might not be your first thought, but it can be a contributing factor. Gutters are an important component of your home’s overall water removal process.

Gutters are designed to direct collecting water into downspouts, which channel the water away from your crawl space or foundation. When your gutters are damaged or clogged with leaves and debris, they cannot safely direct water away from your New Jersey home, leading to a wet crawl space.

Leaking Wall Cracks

Wall cracks are more than a cosmetic issue, they can be a point of entry for unwanted water. If you don’t repair cracks in your walls while they are manageable, they can become significantly larger, causing more significant – and costly – damage.

Crawl space wall cracks develop over time due to foundation settlement or in response to external pressure. Whether you spot water leaking from vertical, horizontal, or stair-step wall cracks, calling the pros is the best way to minimize further damage to your crawl space.

Leaking Crawl Space Windows

Water will enter your NJ home through any available means. Even if you have some waterproofing measures, there may still be areas where water leaks. Crawl space windows are a common location for water leaks.

Generally, crawl space and basement windows are crafted with materials that can rust, corrode, and decay over time. When the frame breaks down, it hangs more loosely, allowing water to enter your crawl space.

Flooding and Storm Events

While New Jersey might not see the frequency or severity of hurricane activity that a state like Florida does, it still deals with these severe storms and the damage they cause. And, in the Garden State, it’s not just hurricanes that you need to be worried about – East Coast residents know how disastrous nor’easters can be.

A nor’easter almost always brings significant snow or rain, gale-force winds, and rough seas. These storms may also cause coastal flooding, which can be a major threat to crawl spaces in Jersey.

Protect Your New Jersey Crawl Space From Water Intrusion

Every home has a unique combination of factors contributing to water intrusion and requires waterproofing solutions tailored to address its specific issues. To provide your home with the most effective protection, it’s important to choose a local New Jersey crawl space waterproofing company with extensive experience and knowledge.

At Blue Umbrella, we bring more than 20 years of experience to each project, so we know how to handle any issues that cause water to accumulate in your crawl space. Beyond our expertise, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction.

We back our services with products from industry-leading brands and offer lifetime warranties for areas we waterproof. Don’t let water in your crawl space threaten the structural integrity of your New Jersey home! Contact New Jersey’s trusted crawl space waterproofing experts at Blue Umbrella today by giving us a call or filling out our convenient online form.