Flooded crawl space? Get water damage help now in Indianapolis.

What to do in the next hour

1. Stay safe first. Do not go into a crawl space with standing water if wiring, outlets, a furnace or a water heater could be in contact with it. Water and electricity can kill.
2. Stop the water if you can. If a pipe burst, shut off the main water valve. It is usually where the water line enters the house, often in the crawl space, basement or a utility closet.
3. Cut power to the area only if it's safe. Turn off the breaker for the crawl space from a dry spot. If you would have to stand in water to reach the panel, leave it and call a pro or an electrician.
4. Document everything. Take photos and video of the water, the source and anything damaged before cleanup starts. Your insurance company will want them.
5. Call your insurer and a restoration company. Ask your insurance company how to start a claim, and get water extraction and drying started quickly. Every hour the structure stays wet raises the risk of mold and rot.

Why a flooded crawl space can't wait

A crawl space holds up your floors and often holds your ductwork, plumbing and insulation. When it floods, the problem doesn't stay down there. Moist air from a wet crawl space rises into the living space, so a flood below can show up later as musty smells, cupping hardwood, sagging insulation and higher energy bills.

Timing matters because of mold. The EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours. Crawl spaces are dark, cool and poorly ventilated, which is exactly where mold thrives. Getting water out fast and drying the wood framing and subfloor is the best way to keep a one-time flood from turning into a mold problem.

Common causes in Indianapolis homes

• Heavy rain and storms. Central Indiana's spring storms can push more water against a foundation than the soil can absorb, especially where gutters overflow or the yard slopes toward the house. Read about water in crawl spaces.
• Sump pump failure. A power outage during a storm, a stuck float switch or a worn-out motor can let water rise fast. What to do when a sump pump fails.
• Frozen and burst pipes. Supply lines running through a cold crawl space are among the first to freeze during an Indiana cold snap. Burst pipe under the house.
• Plumbing leaks. A slow drip from a supply line, drain or water heater connection can soak a crawl space for weeks before anyone notices.
• High groundwater. After long stretches of rain, groundwater can seep up through the crawl space floor.

What a water damage restoration company does

A restoration crew handles the emergency, then makes sure the structure is actually dry. A typical job includes:

• Inspection to find the source and measure how far moisture has spread.
• Water extraction with pumps and wet vacuums.
• Removal of soaked materials such as wet insulation and damaged vapor barrier.
• Structural drying with commercial dehumidifiers and air movers, checked with moisture meters until readings are back to normal.
• Cleaning and antimicrobial treatment to reduce the chance of mold.
• Documentation such as photos, moisture logs and estimates that support an insurance claim.

Want a sense of the bill? See our crawl space water damage cost guide.

Serving the Indianapolis area

Calls are routed to providers serving Indianapolis and surrounding communities, including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville, Greenwood, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg and Lawrence. See all service areas.

Helpful guides

• Standing water in a crawl spaceCauses, risks and next steps
• Sump pump failedWhat to do right now
• Burst or frozen pipeUnder-the-house plumbing emergencies
• Cost guideWhat water damage cleanup costs

Frequently asked questions