What is the best way to deal with water getting into a crawlspace?

I sometimes get standing water on the dirt floor of my crawlspace, and I'm starting to worry about mold appearing. There are a number of steps to take to eliminate the water getting into your crawlspace. Because moisture is the cause of mold, the first step is to make sure that rainwater is being directed as far away from the house as possible. The soil next to the foundation should have at least a 5 percent grade sloping away from the house, and gutters should release water approximately 8 to 10 feet away from the house. Also, make sure that the gutters and downspouts are not disconnected or leaky, because this can lead to puddles forming next to the foundation, which can then leak into the crawlspace. The next step is to put down a continuous, sealed layer of 6-mil, or thicker, polyethylene plastic sheeting on the floor of the crawlspace. It is important to seal the plastic to the wall and any seams in the plastic to insure that moisture rising from the soil is prevented from enterin ... more