Standing water under your floorboards is a major problem for your home foundation. If you live around Meadowvieuw or near the historic Town Center, you already know how volatile the North Texas weather can be. One week the area deals with dry clay soil that shrinks and cracks, and the next week torrential downpours dump inches of rain in a matter of hours. That sudden shift wreaks havoc on crawl spaces.
National Restoration Company sees this situation all the time when running crews out in the local area. Homeowners call National Restoration Company after a heavy storm because their crawl space is holding water like a swimming pool. The black gumbo soil in DeSoto, TX does not drain fast. When heavy rains hit, water pools against the foundation and finds the path of least resistance right under your house. Left sitting there, the water starts rotting joists, growing mold, and drawing pests.
When to Schedule Crawl Space Water Removal
Timing is very important for Water Damage Restoration. Homeowners should not wait until they smell mildew coming up through their floor vents to take action. The best time to schedule an inspection and water extraction is right after the spring storm season wraps up, and again heading into the unpredictable autumn rain spells in DeSoto, TX. If you notice your floors feeling bouncy, or doors starting to stick in their frames, moisture has already gotten into the framing.
National Restoration Company uses industrial pumps and extraction mats to get the bulk water out fast. But getting the water out is only half the battle. Because the local humidity stays high for months in DeSoto, TX, you cannot just pump it out and walk away. The air down there is saturated, which means everything will stay damp unless you introduce commercial dehumidification.
How Local Weather Affects the Work
People ask National Restoration Company if weather conditions outside change how we dry out a crawl space. Weather conditions outside definitely change the work. When it is pouring rain outside, pulling outside air into a crawl space just pumps more moisture inside. National Restoration Company has to seal off vents, set up closed-loop drying systems, and monitor relative humidity levels daily.
The summer heatwaves in DeSoto, TX also play a massive role. High temperatures combined with trapped crawl space moisture create a greenhouse environment. That environment is prime real estate for mold colonies to take over in less than 48 hours. When National Restoration Company performs Water Damage Restoration during these muggy months, our team moves fast on air movement and antifungal treatments.
Protecting Your Investment Year-Round
You cannot stop the weather in DeSoto, TX, but you can protect your home against it. Start outside by checking your gutters and downspouts. If your gutters are dumping rainwater right next to your foundation, you are inviting water into your crawl space. Extend those downspouts at least four to six feet away from the house.
Next, look at encapsulation. Putting a heavy-duty vapor barrier over that bare dirt floor stops ground moisture from evaporating upward into your home. Pair that vapor barrier with a properly maintained sump pump, and you will save thousands of dollars in structural repairs down the road.
Keep an eye on things. Pop your head into the access hatch every few weeks, especially after a major weather event in DeSoto, TX. Catching a small puddle now beats dealing with a major structural headache later. National Restoration Company provides Water Damage Restoration services for homes in DeSoto, TX.