Homes in Marietta sit on crawl spaces, slabs, or basements, and water collects on the bottom level. It gets in from heavy rain running toward the foundation, a gutter dumping next to the wall, a failed sump pump, or a plumbing leak nobody can see. Because it's out of sight, it often sits for days.
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Georgia summers make that worse. Damp soil and humid air keep a crawl space wet long after the puddle is gone, and wet joists, subfloor, and insulation are where mold starts. UGA Extension advises keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent and covering crawl space soil with a vapor barrier.
Water category:Usually Category 2; Category 3 if it came from outside or a sewer line
Step 1
Standing water is pumped out of the crawl space or basement, and wet debris is cleared so the area can be inspected.
Step 2
Joists, subfloor, sill plates, and insulation are checked with moisture meters. Soaked insulation and a torn vapor barrier usually come out.
Step 3
Surface water and groundwater carry bacteria, so the area is cleaned and treated before drying.
Step 4
Dehumidifiers and air movers run until the wood reads dry. Crawl spaces and basements usually need more dehumidification than rooms upstairs.
Step 5
The crew notes where the water came in and documents it for your claim, so you know whether you need a plumber, gutter work, or drainage.
Local notes
Crawl spaces under Marietta homes deal with humid summers on top of any leak. UGA Extension recommends a 6 to 8 mil vapor barrier over crawl space soil and keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent. If yours is torn or missing, ask the restoration company to note it in the report so you can fix it after the drying.
Insurance
Coverage depends on the source. A burst pipe or appliance leak under the house is usually covered. A failed sump pump or a drain backup usually needs a water backup endorsement. Rain or groundwater coming in from outside is generally excluded and only a flood policy covers it.
Read the Georgia water damage insurance guideNo honest company can price this over the phone. These are the things the crew measures on site. Read the full cost guide.
Get a crew out to inspect it
An IICRC-certified crew measures the damage, explains the scope, and documents it for your insurer. You decide whether to go ahead.
(470) 305-6747Or estimate your drying scope firstUsually because water is running toward the house instead of away from it. Gutters that overflow or empty next to the wall, soil that slopes toward the foundation, and low vents can all let rain into a crawl space, and it can keep seeping in for a while after the storm ends.
It's risky. In a humid Georgia summer, a crawl space can stay damp for weeks, and wood that stays wet that long can grow mold. A dehumidifier and moisture readings are how you know it's actually dry.
It depends where it came from. A plumbing leak usually is. A sump pump failure or drain backup usually needs a water backup endorsement. Rain or groundwater from outside generally isn't covered without flood insurance.
