Below-grade moisture in Savannah
Few Savannah homes have full basements. The city sits low, close to the coast, and most houses are built on slabs or over crawlspaces, with some older homes on raised foundations. Waterproofing work here is mostly about keeping water out from under the house, drying crawlspaces and protecting the few basements and below-grade rooms that do exist.
Water from below
Most of the water in Savannah's main system is groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer, and in 2025, 22 percent came from Abercorn Creek, a Savannah River tributary. That aquifer sits deep, but shallow groundwater in low-lying neighborhoods can rise close to the surface after long rains. Ask the contractor how they judge the water table on your lot, and whether a sump or drainage system would have anywhere to send water during a storm.
Water from above
NOAA's engineering weather data for Savannah lists a 100-year rainfall rate of 4.3 inches per hour. The National Hurricane Center recorded 17.48 inches of rain at Hunter Army Airfield from Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Much of the water that ends up under a house starts on the roof. Ask the contractor to look at gutters, downspouts and grading before selling you an interior system. Extending downspouts and regrading soil away from the foundation often solve problems more cheaply.
Storm surge
During Matthew, 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. No waterproofing system stops surge flooding. If your home is in a flood-prone area, ask about flood vents in the crawlspace, raising mechanical equipment and materials that can get wet and dry out, and talk to your insurance agent about flood coverage.
Crawlspace humidity
NOAA counts about 1,902 hours a year at Savannah with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F, and about 3,539 hours above 67°F. Vented crawlspaces pull that humid air under the floor, where it condenses on cool ducts and framing and feeds mold and wood rot. Contractors commonly offer vapor barriers, sealed or encapsulated crawlspaces and dehumidifiers. Ask what moisture readings they took, what the system includes, how it will be drained and powered, and how it fits with any flood vents your home needs.
Termites and wood
Wet wood under a house attracts insects. Ask the contractor to note any damaged framing during the inspection, and coordinate with a pest professional before closing up a crawlspace.
Licensing
Georgia's licensing requirements for this kind of work could not be checked against the state's own site for this page. Ask the contractor which Georgia license covers the job, look it up with the Secretary of State's license lookup and get proof of insurance coverage in writing.
Comparing quotes
Ask each contractor for their moisture readings and photos, the cause they found, the proposed fix in detail, drainage and power needs, warranty terms and whether the warranty transfers to a buyer.