Crawlspace Repair

Drainage Systems

If water collects under your house, it needs somewhere to go.

Crawlspace drainage collects groundwater and seepage before it pools, and moves it to a sump or a safe discharge point away from the foundation.

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Overview

How crawlspace drainage works

Water gets into crawlspaces in a few ways: rain running toward the house, groundwater rising after storms, and seepage through block or stone foundation walls. Once it is inside, a crawlspace has no floor drain to remove it, so it sits on the soil and keeps the space damp.

A drainage system is designed around how the water is getting in. Inside, that often means a perforated drain line in a trench along the foundation walls, sloped to a sump basin. Outside, it may mean regrading soil, extending downspouts or adding drainage so less water reaches the foundation in the first place.

What to look for

Signs of a crawlspace drainage problem

Look for these during or right after wet weather.

Puddles or pooled water
Any standing water under the house means water is getting in faster than it can soak away.
Water lines on foundation walls
Stains or mineral deposits on the walls show how high water has risen in the past.
Efflorescence on block walls
White, chalky deposits on masonry are left behind as water passes through it and evaporates.
Washed-out soil or channels
Grooves in the crawlspace floor show where water runs during storms.
Wet or rusting supports
Steel piers and wood posts sitting in water can rust or rot at the base.

The process

How a drainage system is planned and installed

The design depends on where the water comes from and where it can be discharged.

Find the water source
The technician looks at grading, gutters and downspouts, the foundation walls and the crawlspace floor to work out how the water enters.
Correct outside problems
Downspout extensions, grading changes or exterior drainage are recommended where they will reduce how much water reaches the foundation.
Install interior drain lines
A trench is dug along the walls or low areas and a perforated pipe is laid in gravel, sloped toward a collection point.
Connect a sump and discharge
The drain lines feed a sump basin. The pump discharges water away from the house, in line with local rules.
Test the system
Water is run through the system to confirm it flows to the sump and the pump discharges correctly.

Every property is different. The exact scope is set after an on-site assessment.

Why Local Pro Connect

One call, every trade, start to finish

Crawlspace problems rarely have a single cause. Drainage, moisture control and the framing above it all need to be handled in the right order.

One point of contact
You work with one coordinator instead of tracking down separate contractors for each part of the job.
Every trade the job needs
Restoration rarely stops at one trade. Follow-on work like drywall, flooring, electrical or roofing can run through the same request.
Local professionals
We connect homeowners with service professionals in our network across Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana.
Records you can share
Photos and written scopes from the job can be shared with your insurer at your discretion. We are not affiliated with any insurance company and do not make coverage decisions.

Common questions