Help!! The crawlspace is flooding!

[Alex Franke]

Need some advice guys -- I opened the crawlsapce door to the sound of Ssssssssssss -- Yikes! -- I had to turn off the water at the curb to stop it.

I'm not a plumber so I can only guess what this is (pressure regulator?) but I know that it was spraying from the connection where you can see the water droplet on the right -- and it looks like that end of the flexible pipe is what goes out to the curb, which is why the main shut-off valve in the house didn't work. (Picture below.)

Is this just a matter of re-clamping, or should I call in the pros for this?

I've been down there vacuuming up puddles from the plastic we have down there. I'm guessing I should probably also get a dehumidifier or something before stuff starts growing... Any thoughts on this??

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Daryl]

I see what loooks like a curve to the right so I will guess the pipe is split at the coupling. I would go back about a foot and put a new section in and use a new adapter to the pressure regulator too. There is also a chance that the regulater is split and will need replacement. If you can reduce the stress from the pipe being bent to the right your repair will likely last longer. Those clamps can't be tightened as I understand, you would have to have a crimper and replacement bands.

[crokett]

You need a crimper and replacement bands. If the hose is split and it is not a cracked pressure regulator it is a simple fix. A new coupler, some crimps and you are done. If you are willing to drive to Mebane I have a crimper and the crimps you can use. Otherwise they run about 90 bucks for the tool, thoug you might be able to rent. It doesn't look like the Sharkbites will work because it appears the PEX is crimped directly onto the regulator.

[dbhost]

I'm not sure, but what I think I see in that pic is poly butylene pipe. That stuff was what they used to use in mobile homes back int he 70's and 80's, and it split like crazy. I.E. there was a HUGE lawsuit over the stuff...

If that is PB pipe, I would strongly suggest ripping it all out, and replacing with at the very least PVC.

[cgallery]

Instead of a dehumidifier I'd get one of those floor blowers or a big fan and leave the door open and push air into the space from outside. The moving air from the fan will dry things out faster than a dehumidifier. I think.

[unknown poster]

That might be PEX pipe, not PVB. If you don't know the difference, call a plumber. PEX is easily repaired and can be secure and reliable for a long time, but you will need a specialized crimping tool that may cost more to buy than calling a plumber. The poly vinyl stuff should not be repaired, it must be replaced. There are companies that specialize in ripping all of the PVB out of a house and replacing it all with copper or PEX. If it is PVB you should be glad it leaked in the crawlspace and not in the attic.

[herb fellows]

Definitely go with a dehumidifier, ASAP. This is to protect you and your family from mold spores etc. that will start real quick! If you put in an insurance claim for damage caused by the water, the first thing they want to know is what you did to 'stem the tide'. They will reimburse you for the dehumidifier without any problem.

[Alex Franke]

I posted a follow-up question regarding polybutylene and sharkbite or gatorbite fittings here (It seemed different enough to warrant a new thread. )

I'm not sure, but what I think I see in that pic is poly butylene pipe.
[snip]
If that is PB pipe, I would strongly suggest ripping it all out, and replacing with at the very least PVC.

That's what the guy at Lowes said it was, too. I think I'll get someone out and see how involved it will be to replace the polybutylene we have. Fortunately it's not throughout the house!

Definitely go with a dehumidifier, ASAP. This is to protect you and your family from mold spores etc. that will start real quick! If you put in an insurance claim for damage caused by the water, the first thing they want to know is what you did to 'stem the tide'. They will reimburse you for the dehumidifier without any problem.

Thanks -- I've never filed a home insurance claim before - always afraid I'd get canceled or something, so I figured I'd save it for the big stuff. (Hopefully this won't turn out to be a "big stuff!") But I think USAA would probably be pretty considerate... I'd hope so anyway.

I picked up a dehumidifier, figuring I could use it inside the house when necessary after the crawlspace is dried back out. Thanks for the tip!

I tested out the dehumidifier inside the house for about an hour and got 1.5 cups of water! That's more than I expected!

[wbsettle]

Alex, you've missed the settlement cutoff, but here are the details on polybutyl in case you haven't seen it already.

-Brent

[wbsettle]

I'm not sure, but what I think I see in that pic is poly butylene pipe. That stuff was what they used to use in mobile homes back int he 70's and 80's, and it split like crazy. I.E. there was a HUGE lawsuit over the stuff...

If that is PB pipe, I would strongly suggest ripping it all out, and replacing with at the very least PVC.

It wasn't limited to mobile homes. It was essentially the new hotness in plumbing from 1978-1995, regardless of dwelling type. Ultimately leading to one of the largest class action lawsuits of all time. Makes you stop and wonder if we're eventually going to learn something "sinister" about PEX or other copper alternatives in the future.

Knock on wood...our current house was completed in late 1994 and plumbed with PBpipe...so far, so good.

-Brent

[Alex Franke]

Alex, you've missed the settlement cutoff, but here are the details on polybutyl in case you haven't seen it already.

Yeah, I noticed that, too. It just figures that I'd spring my first qualifying leak just a couple months after the cut-off date. I'm convinced that products are built to break just days after they're covered. Oh well.

[richclemson]

Good choice on the de-humidifier...might consider renting a large unit from a local tool rental. usually for not to much of an investment the large units can drop humidity levels much quicker. I had a mold company come in after some water got in the house, they hooked up a large industrial dehumidifier and dropped the humidity inside from around 75-80 to below 30 over night. Much faster than a store bought one....of which I had two of running for about a months leading up to it... but it all does depend on your sensitivity to mold spores.