What a moisture quote covers
Waterproofing and crawlspace quotes in Savannah can range from a gutter fix to a full encapsulation with drainage and a dehumidifier. The price depends on what is causing the water and how much of the house it affects. This guide explains the choices so you can compare bids that cover the same work. It doesn't give prices; only written quotes for your house can do that.
Start with the cause
Ask each contractor to tell you where the water or moisture comes from before they recommend a product. In Savannah, the usual sources are:
- Roof runoff. NOAA lists a 100-year rainfall rate of 4.3 inches per hour for Savannah. Gutters that overflow and short downspouts dump water at the foundation.
- Grading. Soil that slopes toward the house sends water under it.
- Humid air. NOAA counts about 1,902 hours a year at Savannah with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F. Vented crawlspaces bring that air under the floor, where it condenses.
- Plumbing leaks. A slow leak under a bathroom can look like a groundwater problem.
- Irrigation. Sprinklers aimed at the foundation keep the soil wet. Savannah bans outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and limits addresses to three days a week, which also helps keep foundations drier.
- Flooding. Storm surge and street flooding are a different problem from everyday moisture.
The main scope choices
- Gutters, downspouts and grading. Often the least expensive fix and the first one to try.
- Vapor barrier. A plastic ground cover in the crawlspace. Thickness and how it is sealed at seams and walls vary.
- Full encapsulation. Sealing vents, lining walls and floor, and conditioning the space. Costs more and needs a plan for drying.
- Dehumidifier. Needs power, a drain and maintenance. Ask about the unit's capacity and filter.
- Interior drainage and sump. Collects water that gets in and pumps it out. Needs a discharge point and power.
- Wood repair. Rotted joists, sills and subfloor found during the work are often priced separately.
Flood-prone lots
During Hurricane Matthew in 2016, the tide gauge at Fort Pulaski recorded a peak water level of 5.05 feet above mean higher high water, a record for the site. On low lots, sealing a crawlspace can conflict with flood vents, which let floodwater flow through instead of pushing on walls. Ask how the proposal handles flood vents, and check with your insurer and the city before closing vents.
The work, step by step
1. Inspection. Moisture readings, photos and a written cause. 2. Exterior fixes first. Gutters, downspouts and grading. 3. Repairs. Rotted wood replaced; plumbing leaks fixed. 4. Barrier or encapsulation. Ground and wall liners installed and sealed. 5. Drying equipment. Dehumidifier or conditioned air connected. 6. Follow-up readings. Ask for readings again after a few weeks.
Questions to ask every contractor
- What moisture readings did you take, and where?
- What do you think is causing the problem?
- What happens to the system if the crawlspace floods?
- Who maintains the dehumidifier or pump, and how often?
- What does the warranty cover, and does it transfer if I sell?