Your Certified Happy Valley, OR Basement Waterproofing & Sump Pump Installation Pros

This crawlspace had some minor water issues over the years. The homeowners were aware of it, and kept their simple 6 mil vapor barrier replaced every few years. However, after some landscaping and new construction was getting done around their home, they noticed the crawlspace water issues were becoming more frequent and worsening. They noted pools of water, mud caked on the barrier, and the wooden posts were damp near the footings. The homeowners didn't want water issues to take over, so they called upon John's Waterproofing for their inspection. 

The homeowner was proud of how healthy their home was and decided to get a full encapsulation. Our crew cleaned out the crawlspace of the debris, vapor barrier, and the pinned up fiberglass. We then installed a full interior drainage system with a TripleSafe sump pump to ensure groundwater is moved safely away from the home. The vents were sealed shut and we then insulated with TerraBlock and SilverGlo. CleanSpace was then installed, going under the wooden posts, attached to the rim joist and sealed into place. A SaniDry dehumidifier was installed and we air sealed the crawlspace. Once again the home has healthy air and doesn't have to worry about the crawlspace. 

This home was on a sloped property. The crawlspace was tall and roomy but wet and in need of reconditioning. A System Designer was sent out to the property and inspected both the interior and exterior of the home, taking photos and measurements. He sat at the kitchen table and built a proposal for the homeowner while explaining the purpose for everything he was suggesting. It made sense to the homeowner so he signed the proposal and was scheduled for the next available calendar space.

The Installation crew arrived and began the work by removing all of the debris like the old vapor barrier, dirty fiberglass installation and assorted construction debris. They set up fans, temporary sump pumps, and large fans to dry out the crawlspace sufficiently before we could continue work. A few weeks later, it was dry enough to proceed. The first order of business was to install a perimeter perforated pipe drain system. The slope of the crawlspace aided in directing the drain system to the low spot of the crawlspace to a TripleSafe sump pump to collect the water and discharge it properly. TerraBlock, a flexible, dense foam product was laid on the dirt floor. This was a critical step in insulation and protecting the CleanSpace barrier from punctures and tears. The CleanSpace barrier was added next and all the seams were sealed with the barrier fastened to the foundation walls just below the rim joist. All of the vents were sealed and a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier was installed to assure the humidity was properly controlled and the air continually filtered. The final step was applying 3" of single-cell spray foam to the foundation walls and rim joist. Now the space was equipped to keep the air in the home clean, kill mold and mildew spores, providing a great space to safely store personal items!

Brokers looking for figures to negotiate a sale are always in a hurry. To accommodate this time frame we have a set specialist for realty needs. We can get approximate numbers to a broker in 1-2 days and, if they decide to move forward, an full inspection is done to give the broker a hard number to work with. This particular home had water intruding up to a few inches on top of the barrier. This, in the least, requires a Pipe, Pump, and Plastic, so the home can pass inspection and the new owners are happy.

Our System installers were dispersed to do the work. The old barrier, hanging insulation and all other debris was removed from the crawlspace. A 3" perforated pipe drain system was installed around the perimeter and graded to the lowest point of the crawlspace where a TripleSafe Sump pump was installed due to the amount of water intrusion to gather the water and discharge it out and away from the home. Then a new 6mil plastic barrier was installed on the floor of the crawlspace and attached to the foundation walls to ensure that any water seeping in via the footing or wall was captured and removed by the new pipe system. 

Customer called because they wanted to be "proactive" in regards to their crawlspace. A System Designer went to the home to inspect and there was an active plumbing leak occurring which had led to pooling water in the crawlspace. Due to the amount of water, it was impossible to navigate the space thoroughly. We had to dry out the space, fix the plumbing issue and then we could address waterproofing the space. To begin, a crew was sent out to put a couple of sump pumps and fans in the crawlspace to start the process of drying it out. Our plumbers then arrived and found there was a broken sewage line which had caused the water issue. So hazmat had to be contacted for the removal of the sewage and treatment of the waste before any work could be done. After that was accomplished, the crew was able to go out and complete the dry out and work could commence.

The homeowners had opted to do an encapsulation so the installers got to work to start trenching to a new perforated pipe system and installation of the TripleSafe sump pump. The debris had been removed by the hazmat company so after installing the drain system, the crew laid down TerraBlock, a 3/4" flexible foam insulation sandwiched in a plastic barrier that adds R-value and is puncture resistance. Over the TerraBlock goes the CleanSpace vapor barrier. This is a 20mil, nylon-reinforced plastic vapor barrier. It is fastened to the foundation walls just under the rim joist. The vents around the crawlspace are sealed with EverLast plastic covers and a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier was installed to keep humidity at bay and filter the air. Lastly, a 3" layer of closed cell spray foam is applied to the foundation walls and rim joist, effectively sealing off the crawlspace and insulating the home to industry standards.

These homeowners had a large flat area in the crawlspace off of their garage and they wanted the water controlled so they could build a wall and create a small basement space for their kids to hang out in and encapsulate the remainder of the crawlspace that sloped up to a back wall.

The first order of business for our crew was to remove the old 6mil vapor barrier and install a 3" perforated drain system in the back part of the crawlspace that terminated at a TripleSafe sump system and was discharged to one of the rain drains outside. Then TerraBlock, a high-density foam product was laid over the dirt floor. This aids in insulating the crawlspace and protecting the new CleanSpace, 20mil, nylon-reinforced barrier. This is used to isolate each wooden post and is also anchored to the foundation walls. With all the vents sealed, Spray Foam insulation was applied to the back and side walls of the foundation to keep the home insulated. Once completed the crew's attention was on putting WaterGuard around the perimeter of the framing of the walls of the new room. They held it in place while the concrete floor was poured and a pipe was used to connect the WaterGuard to the TripleSafe. Lasted a SaniDry XP was installed and connected with venting to service both areas. Now they had a space for the kids in a clean and healthy environment.

When going to a home, we often recommend a full Crawlspace encapsulation. This really sets a home up to remain dry and healthy. However for different reasons, this is not always the route that people wish to go, and for those people we still recommend a vapor barrier as it will still help protect a home, it will just be a short term solution that will need to be replaced and cleaned up since it doesn't fully encase a crawlspace in a waterproof environment. This home had opted for a vapor barrier, and it was time to get a cleanout.

Our crew arrived and removed all of the old vapor barrier, we cleaned up any messes that we found, and did a thorough inspection to ensure that the home wasn't suffering any water damage that would need to be addressed. After making sure that the home was still structurally sound and no mold or mildew was growing we installed a fresh layer of 6 Mil vapor barrier. The space is once again fresh and dry and when it is needed we will come back out to inspect and refresh this space.