Crawl Space Repair Photo Album: Waterproofing a Recently Purchased Home in Greenville, MI

Four months after purchasing her home, Stephanie realized there were a few cracks in the foundation, both of which were causing water to leak into the crawl space. She hadn't been informed of the water issues before purchasing the home, so she was frustrated. She called us to inspect the crawl space and basement. With the knowledge that she will eventually need to waterproof the basement, this project focused on the crawl space. We installed CleanSpace vapor barrier with drainage matting to encapsulate the crawl space and protect it from water. Our Ultimate Energy Saver package, which includes SilverGlo wall panels and Terrablock floor insulation in conjunction with the CleanSpace, will keep the crawl space warmer, which keeps energy bills down. Finally, a TripleSave sump pump was installed to collect and discharge any incoming water so the crawl space stays dry.

Signs of Water Leaks

Moisture between the blocks in a block wall and staining on the floor are both signs of water issues in this crawl space.

Wet Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation, while a tried and true method in homes, is terrible for basements and crawl spaces. It absorbs the ambient moisture and becomes effectively useless, eventually falling down in a wet heap.

DIY Fixes on Basement Walls

Over in the basement attached to the crawl space, there are some signs of leaks in the form of staining and DIY attempts at sealing them (the black lines you see are likely rubberized spray paint). This doesn't work because water is more powerful than most things, including rubber, and will eventually wear it down and break through again.

Water Damage and Debris

Here you can see the beginnings of the insulation falling, as was mentioned in a previous photo. The dirt floor of the crawl space also shows signs of standing water in the form of staining and left behind debris.

Closeup of Water Damage on Block Wall

In addition to the wet spots in the mortar between blocks, note the peeling paint - this is another symptom of water leaks. Water will take paint with it, and eventually can degrade the mortar and the blocks themselves.

SilverGlo Insulation Panel Installation

Unlike fiberglass insulation, SilverGlo panels are both inorganic and waterproof, which means they won't harbor mold or degrade due to water damage.

TripleSafe Sump Pump Provides Heavy Duty Water Discharge

The TripleSafe sump pump has three motors, including one on a battery backup, to ensure that the pump is always ready for water. By collecting and then actively discharging it through the attached lines, the crawl space will stay dry.

CleanSpace Drainage Matting Ensures Easy Water Flow

By installing drainage matting between the floor and the CleanSpace barrier, we create a thing, dimpled layer that allows water to move more freely to the sump pump without sticking to the CleanSpace and causing pooling.

Ultimate Energy Saver Package Keeps Crawl Space Insulated and Energy Bills Down

SilverGlo insulation panels on the walls and Terrablock floor insulation panels combined can keep the crawl space warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by preventing air leaks. A spray foam insulation is applied around the joists to seal off any remaining nooks and crannies.

Discharge Line Keeps Water Away From House

By extending the discharge line far out into the lawn, we can stop the water from running right back into the foundation. The green circle at the end of the line is a Lawnscape outlet, which allows the water to escape with the discharge line buried.