Crawlspace drainage for a dry space under your floor
A wet crawlspace leads to musty smells, rot and mold. We find where the water gets in and give it a way out.
Below the line · -1 to -3 ftWater soaks in along the foundation and collects on the crawlspace floor. A drain along the footing and a sump basin give it a path out from under the house.
The problem, in plain words
Many houses in the mid-valley sit on a crawlspace: a short space between the ground and the floor. When rain water, ground water or a leak collects there, the floor above pays for it. Wood stays damp, insulation sags, and the whole house can smell musty.
The water almost always comes from outside. Our job is to find where it gets in, stop as much as we can at the source, and give the rest a way out. We do this for homes in Philomath, Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, Monroe and the towns around them.
Signs you have it
- Standing water or mud in the crawlspace after rain
- A musty or damp smell inside the house
- Wet or sagging insulation under the floor
- White crusty lines on the foundation walls
- Floors that feel soft or bouncy
- A home inspector noted moisture in the crawlspace
What we do
Look first
We go under the house and walk the outside to see where the water is coming from.
Fix the source
Gutters, downspouts and rain drains that dump water by the foundation get fixed first. That is often the simplest part of the job.
Give the water a way out
We lay drain pipe in gravel along the footing, sloped to a low point.
Pump it out if needed
Where gravity cannot carry the water away, a sump pump in a basin lifts it out to a safe outlet.
Check it in the rain
TODOColin to confirm a follow-up check after the first big rain
What drives the cost
We do not quote from a price list. Every job is different, so we look first, then give you the price in writing. These are the things that move it.
- Size of the crawlspace and how much room there is to work
- Whether the drain goes inside or outside the foundation
- How far the water has to travel to get out
- Whether a sump pump is needed
- Fixes to gutters and rain drains
- Decks, patios or landscaping in the way
Questions about crawlspace drainage
Is a little water in the crawlspace normal?
Some damp ground in winter is common. Standing water is not. Water that sits under the house feeds rot and mold.
Do I need a sump pump?
Not always. If the water can drain away by gravity, you may not need one. If the crawlspace is lower than the yard around it, a pump is often the answer.
Will a vapor barrier fix it?
A vapor barrier (plastic over the dirt) helps with moisture from the ground. It does not stop water that runs in. We fix the water first.
The inspector flagged moisture and we are selling. Can you help?
Yes. Send the inspection page and photos with the estimate form. Realtors and inspectors can send it for the homeowner.
How much does crawlspace drainage cost?
It depends on the size of the crawlspace, where the drain goes and whether you need a pump. We look first, then give you the price in writing.
Often goes with it
Tell us about your crawlspace drainage problem.
A photo or two makes the estimate faster. Rather talk? Call (541) 230-8839.