 | Mike Goebel
has been involved in the construction and home improvement industry for more than 40 years and is currently the Senior Vice President of the Home Center Division at Star Lumber & Supply Co. Inc. You may contact Mike by e-mail at mgoebel@starlumber.com or by phone at (316) 942-2221. |
Home Improvement
2003-02-01 14:31:00
French drains
: My house smells funny in the spring. My cement-block construction house is built over a crawl space, with just a teensy basement. In the spring, the house smells funny, and I particularly notice the smell coming from the cold air return (which I then covered up, since I had the furnace turned off by then). I am wondering if the damp ground in the spring causes the smell (I know it is not the smell of something rotting as it isn't that foul of a smell). The property is low and swampy during the spring. I am considering digging a French drainage system on both sides of the house (10-12 feet away) to drain spring melt and fall rains completely away from the foundation of the house. My questions are two: (1) do you think better drainage would help the smell? and (2) has anyone ever done their own French drain? (and if yes, do you have any pointers/hints/warnings?)
ANSWER: Most likely the smell is caused by mold or mildew. You are right to be concerned about getting the water away from your house. Many times this can be accomplished by simply adding dirt around the foundation so the water runs away.If that doesn't get the job done, French drains might be in order. French drains can be as simple as a small ditch that drains the water from around the house to an area where it won't cause problems. Then the ditch is filled with rocks so that people don't trip on them.A more sophisticated method is to place about 2" of gravel on the bottom and then lay in some slotted drain tube (with the holes down) available from any lumber yard or home center. The tube is then covered with gravel. Some people line the ditch and cover the gravel with nylon fabric to keep dirt from clogging the gravel and drain tube.The ditch is then covered with dirt and grass can be planted. The main thing is that the ditch slopes away from the house so that gravity can do its job.After the water problem outside is solved, it's time to work on the crawl space.One thing that you might try is adding a vapor barrier on top of the dirt. This is done using a heavy plastic sheet that you can purchase at most hardware or lumber stores. Be sure to cover the blocks and the dirt, and seal all seams well. Your crawl space should be ventilated to eliminate moisture. It is not as important in the winter, but especially in the spring and during wet weather, you need the ventilation to help get rid of moisture.If the odor persists, you may have to get help from an expert in mold and mildew, but I would do all the things outlined in this letter first.
