Top Tips For Crawl Space Waterproofing

Top Tips For Crawl Space Waterproofing

The foundation of a home is one of the most important aspects of housebuilding. It is necessary that you pay attention to your crawl space to maintain a good and clean house. It will prevent floods, mold, and mildew, musty smells, as well as infestation by water-loving insects in your house. These problems are caused by excessive moisture in a crawl space. Crawl space waterproofing will help you maintain a good internal atmosphere inside your house. That empty space can be waterproofed without the help of an expert. So, here are some tips that will help you manage your crawl space by waterproofing it.

Enquire the terrain- Before you start building your house, you need to study the terrain and find a good location. You should avoid spaces that which rest just above the water table as the crawl space will be prone to floods. Make sure that the perimeter drainage system guides water away from the crawl space.

Check and clean the gutters- This is a neglected but important tip. Sometimes, heavy rains can cause your roof to produce a lot of water runoff.  If your gutters are not clean and they have a lot of debris trapped in them then the water will run over the top and fall over next to your crawl space foundation which can cause water to seep into your foundation. So, it is advised to clean your gutters at least twice a year and more if you live at a place with a lot of trees.

Drainage system- One of the most effective and permanent ways to keep your crawl space safe is to install a drainage system for your crawl space. You will need a waterproofing agent applied to the concrete, a base of clean gravel the same depth as the foundation footing, and a tile drainage system around the entire footing. Cover the perforated plastic tile with more gravel and pour 5-inches of topsoil. Cover the top soil in sod. You should also install a sump pump and some type of vapor barrier along the dirt crawl space floor.

Use a sump pump- It can be a hard task to remove standing water. You can use a sump pump to make your life easier. Install a sump pump with proper piping to direct the water away from the house and a pump rated for gallons per hour is recommended. A battery run pump with a size range of 3,000 to 7,500-gph is a good choice as the battery will keep it running even in case of a power outage.

Install a dehumidifier- Moisture being the biggest thing that makes crawl space management difficult, do not forget to dry the air in your crawl space. If you live in a place with a humid climate, it is vital that you install a dehumidifier as it will control the moisture and prevent condensation. Also, preventing air ventilation is a good preventive measure. You can use polyethene vapor barrier to the walls or seal your walls with concrete to stop moisture from entering.

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