Water in crawl space

[abstract]

What's the best way to drain water from my crawl space/foundation area? During raining season the deepest part stands at 12 inches (at least that's what the engineer told me). He said not to use sump pump since it is a crawl space only. He suggested digging couple of French drains and drilling holes in my foundation and run pipes to my front lawn area to alleviate this problem.

I've contacted several contractors and they've all told me it's too hard to do since the crawl space is only about 24 inches high and the cost would be around $4-5k easy. Another contractor told me to dig 3 trenches in front of my foundation and lay pipes to drain excess water in the soil.

Is there another way around this problem? I saw an advertisement on crawl space dehumidifier any suggestions?

Thanks.

[mjpliv]

Capturing the water with interceptor drains makes some sense because they should lower the water table around your home. However, I don't understand why he would tell you not to bother with a sump pump.

For the dehumidifier to be of any use you will have to get the water under control first.

[abstract]

Well because the crawl space is only about 2 feet high it would be a hassle if the sump pump needs to be looked at or even breaks. Also the water eventually dries up after the rain.

Are there any other alternative than to dig couple of holes?

Thanks for replying.

[mjpliv]

It really boils down to two choices -

Pump the water from under your house (which will fill up again as soon as it equallizes itself with the rest of the water table)

or

Lower the water table under/around your house.

Probably the best solution is intercepter pits 15-20 feet away from the house on the high side and the two sloping sides at least. It would be best to encircle the house if you are on a reletively level grade. This pit should be dug to about your footing level and extended to dierect the collected water away from the house.

I still don't see the harm in a sump pump as long as it is easily accessable - just inside or below your access hatch.

[jjcold]

I moved into a new house this March and haven' t put the back yard in yet (it's putting itself in with a healthy crop of weeds!) Before I do, I;'m going to install a french drain along the width of the yard, about 20 feet away from the foundation. According to the drainage pattern on the plat map, that should cure any water I have getting into the crawlspace, which isn't much but enough to concern me, Like you, after a heavy rain.