Do I Need Weep Holes for Crawl Space Waterproofing

If your crawl space is flooding are weep holes necessary like in a basement waterproofing project? Many basement waterproofing contractors bring their expertise into the crawl space encapsulation and waterproofing arena.

But what is needed in basement waterproofing may not be needed in the crawl space waterproofing.

What are Weep Holes?

Weep holes are small holes drilled or knocked into hollow block walls. They are not needed or possible with poured foundation walls or block walls with poured concrete cavities. This is the first clue to are the necessary if they cannot be achieved in every situation.

Why are Weep Holes in My Foundation?

The reason weep holes are added, is to allow the hollow block wall to drain faster. Most basement waterproofing systems are installed under the slab. Basement waterproofing companies want water to drain into the drain tile quickly to reduce hydrostatic pressure.

CMU or concrete masonry units usually have two pockets of air that can hold lots of water. This can be a source of water if your crawl space or basement is flooding. Waterproofing professionals feel emptying these waterlogged pockets rapidly is necessary. In a basement it may be to keep water from passing through the wall if no vapor barrier is used.

But installing a vapor barrier on the walls of a basement can help control humidity.

Crawl Space Waterproofing

In a crawl space waterproofing project the drain tile is not placed under slab like a basement but under plastic. The crawl space water management system is designed to capture and redirect surface water typically to a sump pump. The foundation walls of the crawl space should always be covered with plastic when installing a waterproofing system.

What is the Point of a Vapor Barrier?

The vapor barrier keeps the water contained for it to enter the water management system more efficiently. The water is already entering the crawl space and flooding the area or you would normally not be interested in installing a waterproofing system.

Although according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, we should consider rethinking this strategy. What benefit is there to adding weep holes and making the water enter the crawl space faster from the foundation walls?

Read What HUD Recommends about Crawl Space Waterproofing

Weep Holes May Hinder the Crawl Space

Unlike a basement slab, crawl space vapor barrier can move, float and shift with excess flood waters. Because of this I don’t recommend weep holes be installed in a crawl space water management system. If the water enter the crawl space at a pace that exceeds the drainpipe’s ability to absorb the water.

The water can bypass the drainpipe and the crawl space vapor barrier can float. Once the vapor barrier is floating, the standing water can break through the seams. If water gets on top of the plastic, the water management system becomes ineffective and now the crawl space dehumidifier will need to address it.