Crawl Space Drainage and Sump Pumps in Kansas City: When Water Gets In

A damp crawl space and a wet crawl space are two different problems. Dampness is about humidity and can often be handled by sealing the space. Standing water or puddles after a heavy rain is a drainage problem, and a barrier alone will not fix it.

Why Kansas City crawl spaces collect water

Our clay soil does not drain well. After a hard spring storm, water soaks along the foundation and has nowhere to go but down and in. Poor grading, short downspouts, and clogged gutters make it worse. If a crawl space sits lower than the surrounding ground, water finds it.

What the fix looks like

• Exterior first. Extending downspouts, fixing grading, and cleaning gutters is the simplest step and often reduces the water you are fighting.
• Interior drain. A drain channel along the footing collects water that gets in and carries it to a low point.
• Sump pump. A pump at that low point pushes the water out and away from the house. A sealed liner keeps the pit from adding humidity to the space.
• Battery backup. Storms often knock out power, which is when a sump pump matters most.

Where encapsulation fits

Once the water problem is under control, sealing the space keeps the air dry. That is why our guide on encapsulation vs. waterproofing stresses the order of the work. Seal a crawl space that still takes on water and the barrier ends up floating on puddles. For the drainage side, see our crawl space waterproofing page.

Once water is managed, encapsulation finishes the job by sealing the space and controlling the air.

Frequently asked questions