Standing water in your crawl space has to go, but first you need to know where it comes from. Clear water that your neighbours have too is usually groundwater, while water that turns up in dry weather or smells of sewage points to a leaking pipe that needs a plumber today.
Here's how to tell the difference in five minutes, and how to get it dry for good.
What is a crawl space, and do I have one?
Most Dutch houses, and many ground-floor flats, have a kruipruimte : a low space under the ground floor that's too shallow to stand in. You reach it through a hatch ( luik ), usually in the hallway floor near the front door, sometimes under a mat or inside a cupboard.
Your water pipes and drains run through it, and often the gas pipe too. Many expats only find out it exists when the house starts to smell damp.
Why is there water in my crawl space?
There are three usual sources:
- Groundwater that rises after weeks of rain, typically in autumn and winter.
- Rainwater running in from outside, for example through a broken downpipe or paving that slopes toward the house.
- A leaking pipe : the water supply, or a drain or sewer pipe under your floor.
Whatever the source, the water has to come out before the damp works its way into your floor and walls. And finding out which of the three you're dealing with is the part most people can't do on their own. That's exactly what we do: pump it out, track down the cause and tell you what keeps it dry.
Groundwater or a leaking pipe: how can you tell?
Open the hatch, shine a torch in and check these four things:
- The weather. Water after a long wet spell suggests groundwater. Water after a dry week suggests a pipe.
- The neighbours. Ask next door. If their crawl space is wet too, it's most likely groundwater.
- Colour and smell. Clear and odourless is usually ground or rainwater. Dark, cloudy or smelling of sewage means a drain or sewer pipe is leaking. (A sewage smell in the bathroom has its own causes, see why your bathroom smells like sewer.)
- Your water meter. Close every tap and watch the meter. If it keeps turning, water is escaping somewhere. Our guide to spotting a hidden water leak explains this test step by step.
Should you just pump the water out?
Yes, standing water should come out whatever the source, because it's the damp rising into your home that does the damage. But pumping is only half the job. If you don't know why the water got in, it can come back.
That's why every crawl space call-out starts with finding the source. We pump the space dry and watch how the water returns. A fast, even return of clear water points to groundwater. A trickle from one spot points to a pipe. Dirty water points to a drain. You get a clear answer in English on what's causing it and what fixes it.
Is water under the floor dangerous?
Usually not within the hour, but it shouldn't sit there. Moisture rises into your home and causes:
- a musty smell
- mould on walls and furniture
- cold floors
- damage to wooden floor beams over time
Call straight away if the water level is rising fast, if it smells of sewage, or if it's near electrical cables. If you smell gas, don't go in. Leave the house and call the national gas emergency number, 0800-9009 (free, 24/7).
What should you do first?
- Take photos of the water level and, if you can see it, where it's coming from.
- Do the water meter test above.
- If you're renting, tell your landlord or VvE straight away and send them the photos.
- Call a plumber. Don't wait for it to dry by itself.
What does a crawl space pump-out cost in Amsterdam?
Call-outs start from €129 incl. VAT, with no hidden call-out fees. We're available 24/7, usually on site within 2 hours, and our work comes with a 1-month warranty.
The final price depends on how much water there is and what's causing it. Ask us on the phone and we'll explain in English what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bit of water in the crawl space normal?
In low-lying areas a few puddles after a long wet spell are common. A rising water level, standing water in dry weather or a sewage smell is not normal and needs checking.
Can I pump out my crawl space myself?
For a small amount of clear water you can use a submersible pump. If the water is dirty, smells, or comes back within days, the cause needs finding first, otherwise you're only moving the problem around.
Why does my house smell musty after rain?
Damp from a wet crawl space rises through the floor into your home. A musty smell that gets worse after rain is a good reason to open the hatch and look.
Where is the crawl space hatch in a Dutch home?
Usually in the hallway floor near the front door, sometimes under a mat or inside a cupboard. In a flat, there may be one shared hatch for the building.
Water under your floor right now?
Call 06-24356980 or message us on WhatsApp. We'll tell you in plain English whether it's urgent, find the source and pump it out, day or night. If your drains are also slow, read blocked drain or blocked sewer: how to tell.
