In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought record flooding to the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers around Asheville. Landslides and washed-out structures followed. Many homes dried out on top, but water can stay trapped below the floor for a long time.
Asheville Solid Foundation Repair wrote this checklist for homeowners in Asheville and nearby towns. It helps you spot damage that hides in the foundation and crawl space after high water or heavy storms.
Safety first
Do not enter a flooded crawl space or basement while water is standing, and never when power is on in a wet area. Ask a licensed electrician to check wiring after flooding. If the house shifted or walls lean, stay out and call a professional.
Check the outside first
Walk the full outside of the house. Look for soil washed away from the foundation, new cracks in the wall, and gaps where the ground has dropped. Missing soil can leave part of a footing exposed.
Look for these foundation signs
After a flood, watch for the following problems.
- Cracks wider than a pencil line, especially stair-step cracks in block walls
- Walls that bow in or lean
- Doors and windows that now stick or will not close
- Floors that slope or feel soft
- Water lines or white stains on the wall that show how high water rose
What happens in a wet crawl space
Wet soil can hold water for weeks. Wood joists and sub-floors that stay damp can rot or grow mold. Insulation soaks up water and then stays wet against the floor. Wet or mold-affected insulation usually needs to be removed. A vapor barrier and good drainage help keep the space dry after cleanup.
Drainage and water removal
Water that sits near the house will find its way in again. Check that gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the walls. Look at the slope of the yard. Where water pools, a drain or a regrade may be needed. See our pages on foundation waterproofing and crawl space waterproofing.
Slopes and landslide risk
Homes on hillsides should look uphill as well as around the house. Cracks in the ground, leaning trees, or a retaining wall that bulges can show the slope is moving. If you see these, call a geotechnical or structural professional before you repair the house.
Insurance and photos
Take dated photos of every sign of damage before cleanup. Keep receipts. Insurance rules on flood damage vary, so ask your insurer what they cover. Our inspection notes and photos can help show what you found.
When to book a professional inspection
Book a visit if you see any sign in the list above, if water stood in your crawl space or basement for more than a day, or if you are unsure. Asheville Solid Foundation Repair offers a free first inspection in the Asheville area. We check the structure, the moisture, and the drainage, and we explain your options without pressure.
Quick answers
Can I just run a fan and wait? A fan helps surface drying, but it will not fix standing groundwater or a drainage problem. Dry the space, then fix the cause.
Is mold always dangerous? Not always, but it signals long-term moisture. It is smart to find the source of the moisture first.
Who can I call? Asheville Solid Foundation Repair serves Asheville, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Woodfin, and nearby towns.
Plan for the next storm
Hurricane Helene in September 2024 brought record flooding to the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers and set off landslides across the area. Many homeowners learned how fast water can change what is under a house. A little planning helps.
- Take dated photos now. Pictures of the crawl space walls, piers, and floor show what changed after a storm.
- Check again later. Wood and insulation can stay wet for weeks. Look again two weeks after the water leaves, and once more a couple of months later.
- Keep air moving. Fans and a dehumidifier help dry a space, but they do not fix a source of water.
- Fix the path of the water. Gutters, downspouts, and grading decide where the next storm’s water goes.
Keep every receipt and photo together in one folder. If you file a claim or hire a contractor, that record saves time.
Related links
- Crawl space waterproofing
- Foundation waterproofing
- Crawl space repair
- Swannanoa
- Woodfin
- Black Mountain
- Why is my crawl space wet in Asheville
Worried about flood damage? Call Asheville Solid Foundation Repair at +1-828-393-0465 for a free inspection.
