Hydraway Waterproofing System for DIYers: What It Is, Why It Works, and How to Install It Correctly
Hey this is AJ with Crawl Space Ninja Supply.
If you are experiencing water issues in your crawl space or basement, you have likely encountered the term French drain frequently. This is often where confusion arises. Not all drainage systems function identically, and many DIY solutions either fail to provide long-term results or demand significantly more excavation than most homeowners anticipate.
This guide is here to do two things:
- Show you exactly how to install the Hydraway Waterproofing System the right way
- Help you understand why we use Hydraway instead of traditional French drain systems
DIY Installation Basics: What Most Homeowners Want to Know First
How Big of a Trench Do I Dig in a Crawl Space?
For most crawl space installations, the trench is:
- 6–12 inches away from the crawl space wall
- 9 inches deep
- About 2 inches wide
And importantly, you do not need to dig down to the crawl space footer. Crawl spaces behave differently than basements, and Hydraway is designed to intercept water close to the surface where crawl space water problems actually occur.
How Is the Hydraway Waterproofing System Installed?
This is one of the most important details.
Hydraway is installed on its side so it works vertically.
In simple terms:
- The 6-inch wide side becomes the 6-inch tall vertical face
- Hydraway is installed vertically, not laid flat
- The system is typically doubled up two pieces run side by side
- The two pieces are often taped together so they stay aligned
- You backfill the trench using the same soil you removed
This vertical orientation is what allows Hydraway to capture surface and subsurface water efficiently without a wide trench or gravel bed.
Does Hydraway Need to Go Down to the Footer?
In a crawl space? No.
Crawl space water issues usually come from:
- Surface water migration
- Standing water after heavy rains
- Water collecting under the vapor barrier
The goal is to relieve pressure and prevent the vapor barrier from floating. Installing the Hydraway Waterproofing System just below the surface and under the plastic is typically all that’s needed.
(Basement installations are different and often involve footer or cove joint placement.)
Do I Need Gravel With the Hydraway Waterproofing System?
In most crawl space installs, gravel is not required.
Hydraway is designed to work effectively:
- With native soil
- With clay or mud
- Without importing aggregate
That saves money, reduces labor, and keeps the install simpler. If gravel already exists, it can usually be reused but it’s not required for the system to work.
Funny enough, we mostly leave it uncovered and put a vapor barrier right over it!
How Much Hydraway Do I Need?
This is one of the most common questions I get, and it’s also where a lot of DIY installs go wrong simply because homeowners don’t buy enough material.
We recommend following what the manufacturer teaches us to do, which is called the double-up method.
The Double-Up Method (Manufacturer Recommended)
The double-up method means:
- You run two lines of Hydraway right next to each other
- Both lines are installed vertically in the same trench
Why we recommend this:
- It increases water collection capacity
- It improves flow during heavy or sustained rain
- It gives you more margin so the system isn’t maxed out
If you’re already digging, this is the way to do it right.
How to Calculate How Much Hydraway You Need
Here’s the exact math I walk homeowners through:
- Measure the full linear footage of your crawl space perimeter
- Multiply that number by two (for the double-up method)
That final number is how much Hydraway you should plan to install.
Example:
- Crawl space perimeter: 160 linear feet
- Double-up method: 160 × 2 = 320 feet of Hydraway
Choosing the Right Roll Size
We carry:
Most homeowners use a combination of the two to get close without coming up short. I always recommend rounding up slightly running out mid-install is far more frustrating than having a little extra.
Where Does the Water Go?
All Hydraway installations feed into a sump pump basin.
The Hydraway Waterproofing System collects water along the trench and carries it to the basin, where the sump pump then discharges the water away from the home.
To connect Hydraway to the basin:
- Cut a 2-inch by 6-inch rectangular opening
- Feed the Hydraway strips into the basin
- Water continues moving cleanly without restriction
No complicated adapters, no guesswork.
What Is the Hydraway Waterproofing System?
Now that you know how it’s installed, here’s why it works so well.
The Hydraway Waterproofing System is a high-capacity, closed cavity drainage system wrapped in a high-flow geotextile fabric. Water can enter from the top, sides, and bottom along the entire length of the trench not just through small perforations like traditional pipe.
Hydraway is used for:
- Crawl space waterproofing
- Basement waterproofing
- Exterior French drains
- Retaining walls
- Commercial and athletic field drainage
The key difference is how fast it accepts water, which helps relieve pressure before it causes problems.
Why Choose Hydraway Over Traditional French Drain Systems?
Traditional French drain systems rely on round perforated pipe and gravel. Common problems include:
- Slow inflow through small holes
- Clogging over time
- Deeper, wider trenches
- Water pressure is building faster than the system can relieve it
Hydraway is different:
- Much higher inflow rate
- Collects water along the entire trench
- Closed cavity design resists clogging
- Works with or without gravel
- Requires less excavation
Put simply:
Hydraway is designed to get water in fast so it can get water out fast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWXuSgaDbRA
Is the Hydraway Waterproofing System DIY-Friendly?
Yes when installed correctly.
Homeowners choose Hydraway because:
- Trenches are shallow and manageable
- No specialty tools are required
- Installation is modular and flexible
- Accessories exist for corners, drops, and transitions
- The system follows clear, repeatable rules
Planning still matters, but the system itself is very forgiving when done right.
Final Takeaway
The Hydraway Waterproofing System isn’t just another French drain option. It’s a professional-grade drainage solution designed to remove water faster, with less digging, and fewer long-term issues than traditional pipe-based systems.
If you’re already addressing water in your crawl space, Hydraway gives you a way to do it once and do it right. This is what we use when we service your home.
— AJ, Crawl Space Ninja Supply