It’s common to see moisture and pooling water in a crawl space. Over time, you will see mold buildup, which is the last thing you would want to see. If you want to keep your crawl space dry, this first line of defense is adding a sump pump.

Crawl spaces get wet and dry throughout the season. This is normal. However, what’s not normal is letting water in that place in the first place. There are three ways water can get in your crawl space.

First, surface water and get through window wells, leaky basement windows, and also from roof drainage. It can also be due to grading issues and overflowing gutters. Another cause of water in that space is groundwater.

Whatever the reason may be, putting in a sump pump is the only solution. In this article, I’m going to show you how to install a sump pump in a dirt crawl space in the easiest way possible. 

Sump Pump Installation Crawl Space

There are two ways you can go about this. You can hire an expert to install a sump pump in crawl space, or you can try adding a sump pump to crawl space on your own. 

If you decide to go with the DIY method, here are the steps for installing a sump pump in crawl space. Now, keep in mind that any regular sump pump will do. There is no difference between a crawl space sump pump and a regular sump pump.

Step 1 – Sump Pump Setup Planning

Planning is the first step when installing a crawl space sump pump system. Locate a suitable spot for the sump pump basin. Make sure it is near a power outlet if there are none, wire one near the pump. 

Next, plan where you will place the sump basin outer pipe. This is the pipe that is going to carry sump water outside. Also, plan where you will want to drill a hole for the pipe. 

Step 2 - Digging A Sump Pit

For this step, make sure you have all the proper tools for digging out crawl space. After that, lay out the plan and start digging. Start by digging a hole for the sump basin. Then for the pit for the drainage pipe. 

If this is done by an expert, you won’t have to do anything. Just sit there and watch. However, if you are doing this by yourself, make sure to consult a professional or an engineer so that you don’t mess up your home. 

Step 3 - Sump Basin Installation

This is a long process, and you can find a bunch of YouTube videos out there that will show you how you can install a sump basin. Once you are done, go to the next step. 

Step 4 - Sump Pump Setup

Now put the sump pump into the basin and connect all the pipes and cables. On a side note, make sure to weep a small hole in the PVC pipe. This will prevent air block and allow for better water transportation. 

Step 5 – Finishing Up

Once you have installed your sump pump, it’s time to cover and connect. Place the cover over the sump pump and place it properly. Connect the discharge line properly and keep the area ventilated properly as per building code.

Once you are done with the sump pump, it’s time to finish up the crawl space. Put some gravel where you have installed the new pump and spread them evenly. After that, finish up the work that’s left i.e. drainage line out. 

Final Thoughts

Although a crawl space is small, there are still enough spaces for you to install a sump pump. Make sure to test the sump pump before you leave it there.  

Guest Contributor: Juan Williams