Gross Crawl Space in Cadillac
Other than very real water and mold problems, this crawl space was just gross. Musty and smelly from the aforementioned issues and very dark. A space this big, if reliably dry and clean, could be great for extra storage space, but in its condition it was being wasted.
Water and Mold Damage on Crawl Space Walls
Signs of water damage and visible traces of mold were everywhere in this crawl space.
Closeup of Mold on Support Beams
Black mold, white mold, all kinds of mold. Mold needs water and organic material (like wooden support beams) in order to survive and thrive, and it's difficult to eradicate it as long as those two things are present.
Hidden Mold in Crawl Space
Right at the edge of the plastic sheeting covering the ground (it's not a vapor barrier as much as a large tarp), mold was growing rapidly near the standing water.
Moldy, Dirty Crawl Space
This isn't an area where you'd be comfortable storing anything, or even getting too close. The standing water and ambient moisture common in dirt-floor crawl spaces could also affect the structural integrity of the support beams to the house as it warps them and mold grows.
Mold on Crawl Space Pipes
Nothing like a big spot of black mold to set the ambiance in your crawl space. This is one of the reasons the inspector said the crawl space absolutely had to be fixed before they could think of selling the house - mold causes everything from health problems to structural issues.
Ineffective Water Removal in Crawl Space
This bucket/pump combination is clearly not doing its job, and the open top along with the questionable method used to keep it in place leave it vulnerable to debris and disconnection.
New Smart Sump Pump Takes Care of Water
Instead of that bucket/block setup, which was questionable, we installed a Smart Sump pump to proactively remove any water from the crawl space.
CleanSpace: It's Not Just for Walls
In addition to affixing the CleanSpace vapor barrier to the walls and floor to prevent ambient moisture from affecting the crawl space, we use it to wrap support piers to protect them as well. Water can't warp what it can't touch.
SaniDry Dehumidifier Eliminates Ambient Moisture
The sump pump and CleanSpace will take care of the majority of water issues in the crawl space, but any ambient moisture that remains will be taken care of by the SaniDry dehumidifier.
CleanSpace Installed Around Existing Features
Any gaps in encapsulation can lead to future water and mold issues, so it's vital that we get a tight seal. Luckily, the nature of CleanSpace allows us to install it around the existing features and make sure everything is covered.
Clean, Dry Crawl Space Ready for the Market
Instead of the wet, moldy, hazardous crawl space that sent prospective home buyers running, this house now has a clean, dry, safe space that any inspector would happily sign off on.
