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This homeowner in Sutherland, Virginia, was concerned about a variety of issues within their crawl space. Their insulation batts were damp with moisture and hanging down from the floor joists, while the porous foundation walls and open vents lining them were allowing the outside air and moisture to infiltrate the crawl space and affect the environment. We removed the fiberglass batts and installed a 20-mil vapor barrier over the dirt floor of the crawl space. We also blocked the open vents and used closed-cell spray foam to cover the foundation walls. This will help to seal off the crawl space from any outside influence.
This homeowner needed a new sump pump installed as part of a basement waterproofing system. Their old one was an open pit, that allowed odors and moisture to rise into the basement and be pulled up into the living space.
Their new pump is a large basin that houses a 1/3hp pump covered with an air-tight lid. The system has a float on top allowing for water to enter if a leak occurs from above, and the basin is large enough that if the homeowner later feels a need to add a pump or battery backup system, they can do so without having to re-dig the hole or replace the basin. A clean pump stand keeps the sump out of any grime, grit, and sediment that may collect in the bottom of the basin to prevent clogs.
Water has been seeping through the porous block walls in the basement of this home. It has left behind bubbling paint and staining on the walls as well as a musty, damp environment. To control the water seeping into the basement, we've worked with the homeowner and determined a Waterproofing system with CleanSpace and DryTrak is the best solution.
As part of the Waterproofing System, CleanSpace is attached to the basement walls. The heavy-duty vapor barrier will direct water that works its way through the cinderblock wall down into the drainage track and ultimately to the sump pump and away from the home. Clean Space is a great option because it's heavy-duty and allows the homeowner to frame and finish their basement over the system making the space useable, and adding valuable square footage to their home without the worry of damage to their property.
We met this homeowner at a home show, where they asked us to come to inspect their crawl space because they were interested in encapsulating it due to moisture and mildew-mold concerns. This section of the crawl space is under an addition. The vapor barrier is unsealed, allowing moisture to rise from the ground and contribute to high relative humidity. Microbial growth is beginning on the floor joists and the fiberglass insulation is beginning to sag and fall.
The old materials have been removed, vents sealed, and the sill plate and rim band have been sealed as well. The CleanSpace vapor barrier has been installed with all seams overlapped and sealed. The moisture barrier is also run up the walls 6-8 inches above outside grade. The walls are prepped for spray foam insulation to be applied.
A homeowner in Henrico, Virginia called us out to insulate and seal their crawl space from any outside influence. We installed a heavy-duty CleanSpace vapor barrier over the dirt floor, wrapped it around all piers, and mechanically fastened it to the foundation walls. This will help to keep the earth's moisture from rising into the area and increasing the relative humidity. We also covered any open vents and applied a spray foam over the foundation walls, which at an inch and a half thick will act as an air barrier and vapor retarder. With the walls and dirt flooring sealed and insulated, the crawl space will be less affected by outside air and moisture.