Surface Drainage vs. Subsurface Drainage

Ponding water or persistently saturated soil around your home may seem like a minor inconvenience, but over time, excess moisture can contribute to serious problems like foundation movement and mold growth in the crawl space. Depending on the conditions around your property, the solution may involve surface drainage, subsurface drainage or a combination of both. Here’s some information about each option:

Surface drainage
Surface drainage typically uses yard grading and drain inlets connected to buried pipes to collect water and carry it away from the home.

Subsurface drainage
Subsurface drainage addresses moisture within the soil. A foundation contractor will install a rock-filled drain to a specified depth to help prevent moisture from entering your crawl space. This is especially important with expansive soils, which can expand when wet and contract as they dry.

By minimizing seasonal fluctuations in soil moisture, subsurface drainage will help create more stable conditions beneath your home and reduce foundation movement.