Introduction
When considering the most appropriate form of prevention and/or management,
several factors need to be considered.
- Identifying the source of the water or moisture (90% of the time it is
surface water)
- Severity of the problem
- Frequency of water penetration
- Budgetary concerns
- Foundation type (basement or crawlspace)
- Foundation material (poured concrete, concrete block, stone, etc.)
- Determining need and feasibility for prevention or management or both.
Methods for Controlling Surface Water
The easiest method to prevent surface water from entering the home is to
direct the water away from the home. The simplest method to properly
divert water away from the property is to use a gutter
and downspout system in conjunction with proper surface
grading around the home.
If gutters, downspouts and grading cannot prevent the surface water
from entering the basement (or crawlspace), an exterior
perimeter drain is the last method for preventing water penetration.
The exterior drain collects the water that accumulates next to the
foundation and redirects the water away from the foundation.
In basements and crawlspaces where water penetration cannot be
prevented, water management systems such as trenches
and sump pumps are used to collect the water
that enters the home and redirects the water out and away from the home.
Methods for Controlling Groundwater
Groundwater that enters the basement is best controlled with a sump
pump and/or an interior perimeter drain.
The sump pump and interior perimeter drain collect the groundwater that
rises to the basement slab (or crawlspace floor) and redirects the water
away from the foundation.
Method for Controlling Excessive Moisture
Vapor
All foundation materials (such as dirt floor, concrete slab and walls, or
block walls) are porous and allows some moisture vapor to pass through from
the exterior. In addition, the cooler temperatures in crawlspaces and
basements create a condition that actually draws in the moisture through condensation.
In homes where excessive moisture vapor is present, some control method
should be used to prevent problems with wood
destroying insects and fungus.
In basements, when moisture penetration is slow, the most common method for controlling
moisture vapor is with a dehumidifier. In crawlspaces, moisture vapor penetration
usually comes through the soil floor and is usually controlled with a vapor
barrier and crawlspace
vents.
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Crawlspaces
Basements Sources of
Water Penetration Controlling Surface Water
Gutters
and Downspouts Surface Grading
Exterior Perimeter Drain
Interior
Perimeter Drain
Drain Tile Trenches and Sump Pump
Vapor Barrier
and Vents
