Crawlspace Water Proofing

Drain Tile Installation • Sump Pump Installation • Crawl Space Waterproofing

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Drain tiles are a water management method used for collecting and draining water from around a building’s foundation. Drain tiles can be used on both the exterior and interior of foundation walls to help to keep water below ground level and are a staple for maintaining proper moisture content. In crawl spaces and basements, most drain tiles will tie into a sump pump system, which then pumps collected water out.

Despite their name, drain tiles have little to do with your bathroom. Drain tiles are not strictly related to their kitchen and bathroom cousins, they are perforated pipe buried in a filter media designed to give groundwater a path of least resistance. The system is comprised of a perforated pipe, gravel or another filter media, a geotextile filter sock, and a water outlet.

Drain tile installation is a vital step to removing groundwater from around home foundations. If you have dry rot, water damage, or standing water in your basement or crawl space, it might be time to consider a water management system. As all drain tiles need to be installed below ground level, the first step to any drain tile project would be creating a trench or ditch for the tile to sit. This trench needs to be graded at an appropriate level to allow water to flow from one end to the other. In finished basements without a functioning drain tile system, installation usually requires breaking through the edges of the existing concrete pad. Not to worry, though, this process might seem invasive, but it is essential for creating a watertight basement! After the trench is created, a perforated drain pipe with a geotextile filter is placed into the trench. This geotextile is designed to filter out silt and other particulates that accumulate within the water. Many companies will install the drainpipe without a filter sock, and the filter pipe will cease to function after years of buildup.

Once the piping matrix is complete, the trench is backfilled with a filter media such as gravel. Water passes more easily through gravel than the surrounding packed soil, preventing water from pooling on the floor. Like the filter sock, the filter media will also collect silt and keep the filter sock working correctly. In most use cases, the water outlet is an existing drain or sump pump reservoir that provides a path outside the foundation. With the addition of a sump pump, a drain tile system can stop the flow of water into your underground swimming pool—I mean crawlspace. The Pacific Northwest offers seemingly unlimited amounts of rain, so it may be time to think about a solution. Even if you have an unfinished crawlspace, standing water can impose a vapor and pest risk to the rest of your house.

Although sump pumps are not a solution for water intrusion or water vapor issues, they are essential to homes with a tendency to flood. Preventing a major flooding event in your basement or crawlspace can be the key to avoiding structural dry rot and damage to your joists, subflooring, and sill plates.

Reoccurring flooding events can impact the value of properties through excessive damage to a home’s plumbing system, electrical system, foundation, central heating or cooling, and framing. When addressing past flooding damage in your crawl space or basement, it’s important to consider a sump pump if the property is predisposed to flooding again. The expense of a sump pump will pay for itself by avoiding future floods and associated damage.

Installation of a sump pump can be a great way to avoid flooding of crawl spaces or basements. Sump pumps have become a staple tool used by contractors to pump water away from foundations. Once water that drains into the sump pit reaches a critical level, the motor of the pump begins to push water into a drain pipe leading away from the foundation. Sump pumps are an excellent way to remove excess water in your basement or crawlspace before it reaches ground level. Sump pumps should tie into the other water management methods used in your crawlspace, and are an integral last line of defense against flooding.

Sump pump technology has evolved along with other emergency home equipment. They are designed to be run off batteries or other external power sources in the case of extreme weather events when power is likely to go out. Sump systems work best when combined with a perimeter drain or French drains that direct water into the sump pit. These drains divert water away from other critical parts of your crawl space or basement. These drains prevent water from pooling in your underground areas and, with a poly-ethylene vapor barrier, can help with water vapor issues.

Most homeowners know that having standing water around structural components of your home can be disastrous. Excessive water vapor can also be a source of dry rot, warping, and other issues in your home. To prevent the flow of water vapor from moist soil in your crawlspace, the installation of a poly-ethylene vapor barrier may be necessary. In addition to its ability to reduce household moisture content, vapor barriers make it easy to spot if insects or other pests have invaded your home.

Crawl Space Dry Rot Repair

Dry rot is a common symptom of various water and moisture management issues in your crawl space. In addition to highlighting challenges, dry rot weakens the wooden structures of your home and could become a safety issue. When installing a water management system in your home, it’s important to make sure that all dry rot and structural damage is also repaired. Conversely, if you have dry rot in your basement or crawlspace you may need to think about upgrading the water management system that protects your home.

Whether you have a crawl space leak and flooding or you want to protect your home from water vapor, we’re the crawlspace waterproofing experts that get the job done. Contact us today with any questions! SFW Construction LLC is a full-service water intrusion and dry rot contractor. We’ll solve your water management challenges and address any damage needed to keep your home happy and healthy.