[Grandma Marj]

Where does one find the building code that gives a builder the option of installing (in new construction) a "positive drain" (a hole in footing to an outside drain) as opposed to footing drains to prevent water from intruding into the crawl space? We live in an area known for rain and "hard-pan" soil, and are having this problem of water intrusion, which the builder says "is normal". We disagree.

[ma0641]

Since codes vary from state to state, you need to check with your local building dept. to see which code they use, BOCA-ICBO and others. There is no national building code enforced by the federal government. Different areas of the country have different construction methods; the techniques used to build houses in a cold climate will be different than those used in a warm climate-footing depth for example. Same for hurricane, earthquake, snow loads etc. Most construction in the United States is regulated at the local level. Only a few municipalities, Boston and NYC for example, write and revise their own codes. Some states have mandatory statewide building codes.

[smearcase]

This is a spec from a randomly searched site. Is this the type of setup you have?

"In addition to the footing drains, a positive crawlspace drain may be required to maintain a dry crawl space. This drain shall begin in a depression formed at the lowest point of the crawl space and consist of a short length of perforated drain line, minimum four inches in diameter, installed with washed rock and wrapped with a filter fabric cover to prevent the drain from becoming plugged. The perforated line shall be connected to a minimum four-inch diameter non-perforated line and routed beneath the foundation footing to a point of discharge separate from the footing drain, and be approved by the Department of Public Works. "

[Grandma Marj]

Thank you for your reply. No, this is not the setup we have. What is referred to as a positive drain in our home is simply a 4" corrugated type pipe installed in the footing on the lowest side of the foundation when the foundation was poured. It is connected by a tight line to a storm catch basin. The grade within the crawl space is very uneven causing water to pool in various areas, and since the positive drain is an inch or two above the crawl space grade the water cannot drain. There were no footing drains installed. We are concerned because the moisture has caused our hardwood floors to cup. We are also very concerned that mold or mildew and fungus could develop if the condition is not corrected.