Photo Album: Holt, MI Wet Crawl Space Repair

Betty called because she suspected her crawl space was causing problems in her home. The hardwood floors above the crawl space were damp and even the rugs were damp, pointing to a pretty nasty humidity problem. She knew that encapsulation was the solution, and needed our help. The crawl space was a tight fit, but even small spaces can do a lot of damage. In addition to encapsulating with our CleanSpace vapor barrier, we installed SmartJack support posts to stabilize sections of the space where the support was questionable, and put in both a Smart Sump and Ultra Sump pump. SilverGlo insulation panels and a SaniDry dehumdifier put on the finishing touches.

Tight Crawl Space Entry

This crawl space entry was just over 2 feet wide - we do a lot of shimmying at Ayers.

Makeshift Crawl Space Support is Dangerous

Would you sleep well at night knowing your house is held up by an advanced stage Jenga game? This stack of cinderblocks is unstable and unreliable.

Rusty Pipes in Wet Crawl Space

In addition to mold and wood rot, ambient moisture in a crawl space can cause pipes and metal fixtures to rust.

Mold and Water Damage in Crawl Space

Efflorescence (the residue left behind when water travels through concrete blocks) on the walls and mold on the floor both point to long term water issues in this crawl space.

Rotting Wooden Beams in Wet Crawl Space

The structural integrity of these beams has been compromised by the constant humidity. Mold and water both break down the beams.

Ineffective Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is common in homes but a bad idea in a crawl space. It absorbs water until it's too heavy to stay up, at which point it falls down. Also note the splintering wood in the joists.

Rotting Floor Joists in Wet Crawl Space

Here's a better shot of the decay happening in the floor joists - these are expected to hold up your home but how much longer do they really have?

Fiberglass Insulation Held to Walls

Our customer (or someone working on her home) at some point attempted to insulate the crawl space by packing fiberglass insulation around the walls and then using some sort of sheeting to hold it in place. This doesn't work because the insulation is too porous and also easily affected my mold and humidity.

Drainage Matting Allows Water Movement

By installing drainage matting between the CleanSpace and the floor of the crawl space, we give the water just a little bit of room to move to the sump pump without getting stuck.

Better Insulation Choices for a Wet Crawl Space

SilverGlo panels (the shiny wall covering you see) are waterproof and inorganic, which means they aren't susceptible to mold or water damage. FrothPak is the same, meaning these two items will keep your crawl space insulated without danger of being ruined.

Sump Pump Ensures Water Evacuation

Water will flow to one of the two sump pumps we installed to accommodate the multiple low points in the crawl space. Both are tied into the discharge line to make sure water goes up and out immediately.

SmartJacks Stabilize Crawl Space

Replacing the stacks of blocks with steel SmartJack support posts and using galvanized steel beams to support the compromised joists allows us to stabilize the crawl space.

Wrapping Piers for Extra Protection

Support piers are also wrapped in CleanSpace to protect them from ambient moisture.

FrothPak Ensures Total Insulation

After installing the CleanSpace and SilverGlo panels, we use FrothPak spray foam insulation to fill in any nooks and crannies, like the rim joist.

SaniDry Sedona Keeps Crawl Space Dry

The Sedona is our newest and smallest dehumidifier, but it packs the same punch as bigger models. Tied right into a sump pump, the Sedona will keep ambient moisture under control.