A flooded crawl space in Tacoma changed how I check for water lines

I was running a new drop to a house near the Puget Sound last month. The crawl space looked dry, so I didn't bother with the moisture meter. About 20 feet in, my boot went through the dirt floor into a foot of standing water I couldn't see. It shorted my drill and soaked my tool bag. I had to go back to the truck for my waders and a sump pump to finish the job. Now I scan the whole area with the meter before I even grab my drill. What's your go-to method for checking a wet crawl space you can't fully see?

2 comments

2 Comments

sageg9922d ago

Poking around blindly seems like a waste of time when a moisture meter gives you a real reading.

wren97822d ago

Ugh, that's the worst feeling! I've definitely been fooled by a dry-looking surface over hidden water. My rule now is to poke the dirt ahead of me with a long screwdriver before putting any weight down. It sounds simple, but finding that sudden soft spot has saved me from a cold, muddy surprise more than once.