Are Wet Foundation Walls Bad?

I think it is fair to say that many contractors and home builders do not consider wet foundation walls to be a bad thing. If they did, they would put more emphasis on properly waterproofing the outside of the home during construction. Many times, crawl space repair contractors seem not interested in addressing wet foundation walls. I feel any moisture entering the home or crawl space should be addressed properly.

What Causes Wet Foundation Walls

When the home is built, footer drains and waterproofing paints are added to the outside. This is done to direct water from the foundation. Many times this is done incorrectly or inadequately. Tar paints are thinly sprayed and called waterproofing. Footer drains are laid above the footer and do not utilize the gravel base that was installed. Footer drains terminate in dirt versus daylight. If as much attention was placed on the foundation as the kitchen, companies like Crawl Space Ninja would not be needed as often.

Because of these installation methods, eventually many crawl spaces and basements take on standing water. The water usually enters through the foundation wall and seeps into the space. Water can also enter from below as the water table rises. Water will always flow downhill and take the path of least resistance. Usually, that is inside your crawl space because the dirt floor is lower than the outside dirt.

The Problem with Wet Foundation Walls

There is another issue that comes from wet foundation walls. Sure, they are a sign of flooding that can allow water to enter the crawl space. But they are also a humidity source. As the wall fills with water, it is more likely to travel to the air side of the crawl space. As the water enters the crawl space through the foundation wall, it can evaporate. This is a high humidity source that can lead to condensation, mold, and wood rot fungus.

How to Fix Wet Crawl Space Walls

The true fix is to remove all the soil from the outside foundation wall and waterproof it correctly. The cost of doing this leads most homeowners to install a waterproofing system and encapsulation. Applying a vapor barrier to the foundation walls will slow evaporation. This will also direct floodwaters into the water management system. Some moisture will still enter the air and can be addressed with a crawl space dehumidifier. The sump pump will push all standing water in the water management system to the outside. Typically, a wet crawl space requires multiple systems to work together to ensure the crawl space is dry year round.

Professional Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl Space Ninja is the professional choice for all things waterproofing! Our team has the experience and skill to help home owners with mold removal, crawl space encapsulation, crawl space insulation, vapor barriers, waterproofing, or controlling humidity in their crawl space. We can also help with exterior water and yard drainage.

For residents living in Georgia, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Kentucky please contact us to schedule your moisture, drainage and leak assessment.