Water can easily get into your crawl space through open vents, cracks, gaps, holes, or any other openings in the area. And the presence of standing water underneath your property is never a good thing.
You may experience serious problems, such as structural damage, mold growth, and pest and insect infestation. Your health may also be put at risk. Mold exposure can cause allergic reactions to sensitive individuals, like sneezing, wheezing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes or skin, cough, and even shortness of breath. Pests and insects, on the other hand, may cause infectious diseases such as the Zika virus and Lyme disease.
To prevent such issues from happening, you need to install a crawl space drainage system. There are different types of interior drainages available in the market today. Here are some of them:
Interior French Drain System
This subsurface structure is designed to protect your crawl space from standing water. It captures water in the area where flooding occurs (usually at the floor and wall joint) and releases it away from the underside of your property. A French drain system may also be customized to fit your needs. When it comes to its installation process, contractors usually use different methods.
The first step generally involves digging a trench around the perimeter of your crawl space. A PVC pipe is then placed around it. Once complete, it is covered with stone. A sump pump is also normally connected to the trench. Other ways of installation also include digging a trench along the foundation wall. But instead of using PVC pipes, “strip drains” are utilized.
One of the main reasons why experts prefer strip drain from a PVC pipe is that it is covered with non-woven fabric filters that allow water to flow freely. It also has the ability to keep dust particles out of the drainage system. Once the strip drain is laid down, the installer backfills it with gravel for added protection from any debris that may clog the drain line.
Low Point Drain and Discharge System
A low point drain and discharge system is typically a pipe that is installed at the lowest level of your crawl space to move water out of the area. However, this type of drainage system should be installed with a filter as it is often clogged.
Another issue you may encounter with a low point drain and discharge system is that they might be installed in the wrong spot (not the lowest part of your crawl space). If this happens, water will not be completely drained. So, experts usually recommend installing a sump pump along with it.
Exterior French Drain System
This system works like its interior counterpart. But this time, it is installed around the outside perimeter of your foundation. Its primary function is to divert water away from your property. So, when it rains or water pools around your foundation wall, the water will flow into the drainpipe and is released away to areas like a ditch, street, or well.
To install an exterior French drain system, the contractors will need to dig a trench at the bottom of the foundation footing as it is where the flexible perforated drainpipe will be buried. And to ensure that dirt and sediments are filtered out, a landscape fiber and gravel will be put around the pipe.
According to experts, installing an exterior French drain system may be more difficult compared to its interior counterpart. Since the system is installed outside your property, you may have to remove and replace your decks, driveways, landscaping, porches, sidewalks, and more. Maintaining the drainage may also be challenging, as it is buried underneath several feet of soil.
Get in Touch With Your Trusted Waterproofing Company Today!
If you’re unsure about which type of interior drainage is best for your crawl space, don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted local waterproofing company. They can definitely help you choose the right drainage system for the underside of your property. They also have professional installers, so you don’t have to look for one in other companies or businesses.
In case you have questions or clarifications about the types of crawl space drainages, the experts at a waterproofing business can also answer them. Reach out to them now to set up an appointment. They’ll surely be happy to hear from you and assist you with your needs.
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