Serving Eugene, Greater Portland, Vancouver, Everett, Bellingham, and Nearby Areas
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This homeowner had reached out to John's Waterproofing back in 2015 about getting their crawl space inspected. They noticed that during the rainy seasons water would seep inside the space and puddle. Because of this, the water would bring in dirt and debris from the outside and leave it behind on the vapor barrier as the water evaporated. We explained that a full encapsulation would prevent these water issues from continuing and they decided to wait and see if the issue resolved itself. Then, in 2025 the same homeowner reached back out saying that the water issues they were experiencing had only worsened and agreed to encapsulate the space. A full encapsulation is the process of sealing the crawl space off and controlling the environment to help prevent water intrusion, mold growth, and wood rot. It involves installing a drainage system with a TripleSafe sump pump, TerraBlock insulation foam, and a CleanSpace vapor barrier. Now, this beautiful crawl space is capable of keeping water out and the home healthy.
When a crawl space has standing water and is not addressed properly and in a timely manner, it can lead to wood rot, weakening of the structural integrity of the entire home and even attract pests and rodents that cause further damage the space, as well as introduce health hazards and musty odors. Knowing this was a serious problem, these homeowners called John's and scheduled their free inspection. After our system design specialist was through with the inspection, he met with the owners to discuss the best solution for their dark, wet, and musty crawl space. After hearing their game plan, they moved forward and we began the project. Due to the standing water, there was a lot of moisture which led to some areas with mold, which we spot treated with Mold-X2. This is our highly effective cleaner for contaminated surfaces such as wood. Mold stains are removed in 20 seconds. Then, we dig a trench around the interior perimeter of the crawl space in which we lay down a 3 inch perforated pipe into a silt sock to secure a passage for water to safely drain to the TripleSafe sump pump at the lowest point. We then install a discharge line outside that is connected to the sump pump to direct the water to away from the homes foundation. Next we install our SmartDrain system. This will alert the homeowner of a possible plumbing leak with an audible alarm and will drain the water into a drywell underneath the CleanSpace until they can fix the leak. To create an insulated barrier, we install our TerraBlock system on the dirt floor of the crawl space, separating the home and the earth. On top of the TerraBlock, along the foundation walls, and up to the rim joists, we install our CleanSpace system, which is our 20 mil-thick-liner that is sealed at the footing of the wooden posts with our waterproof tape. All the vents are then covered to make sure no outside air enters. To control the environment we install our SaniDry Sedona. This effective dehumidifier will eliminate damp musty odors by drying and filtering the air while keeping the home at a healthy relative humidity. To finish this project we install our foam insulation all along the foundation walls up to the rim joist ensuring every crack and void is filled to guarantee an airtight seal. With this project now complete, these homeowners can have peace of mind that their home is protected for years to come.
Odors wafted throughout the home, causing sickness and disgust among the homeowners. Despite every attempt, they just couldn't figure out what the culprit was. After constant web searching, the homeowners came across a John's Waterproofing advertisement, saying that experiencing random, lingering odors could be a sign that there is something wrong in your crawl space. Without hesitation, the homeowners reached out. We sent a design specialist out to the home, and they quickly recognized the issue; standing water, mud., falling fiberglass insulation, rodent infestation, and a faulty crawl space entry door. This crawl space was a severe hazard to the safety of the home and the family living in it. After discussing our findings with the homeowners, we built a plan to address the major issues so we could restore the crawl space and stay within their budget.
The project started with the removal of all debris. We extracted the nasty vapor barrier covered in mud, water, insulation, and rodent feces and carcasses. After everything was cleared out, our waterproofing crew dug a trench along the perimeter of the crawl space and inserted a Perf Pipe. This drainage system is used to collect water and send it to the sump pump. In the lowest points of the crawl space, two SuperSump Plus systems were installed. These sump pumps work hand in hand for the most efficient withdrawal of excess water. Next up was the installation of a fresh 6-mil vapor barrier, trapping moisture in the dirt below it. Then, to ensure rodents no longer had easy access to the crawl space, a heavy-duty and durable Turtl crawl space entry door was installed. With the water and rodent intrusion taken care of, the homeowners no longer had to worry about musty odors or the safety of their home.
These homeowners noticed that the crawl space they were using as storage was beginning to have a lot of rodent activity and musty smells, so they called us up to find them a solution to offer peace of mind while storing their personal belongings. One of our system design specialists went out to perform a free estimate and inspection and then met with the homeowners to go over the correct plan for this crawl space. After discussing the options, they moved forward with the project. We first began by removing all of the debris, fiberglass insulation and old barrier. Since this crawl space did not have much water intrusion, the owners chose to have us install our SmartDrain system. This system will alert the homeowners of a possible plumbing leak with an audible alarm and will drain the water to a drywell underneath the CleanSpace until the problem can be addressed. Next, we install our TerraBlock system onto the dirt floor to create an insulated barrier separating the home from the earth and will block moisture from making its way up through the crawl space floor. We then install our CleanSpace system on top of the TerraBlock and onto the foundation walls, up to the rim joist and is then sealed at the footing of the wooden posts with our waterproof tape. We also install our EverLast door to create exterior access into the crawl space and will adapt to all weather conditions. To keep the environment controlled, we then install our SaniDry Sedona. This dehumidifier will effectively eliminate damp and musty odors while keeping the home at a heathy relative humidity. This will also help at promoting healthy air throughout the entire home. Lastly, to finish this project we install our foam insulation. This is sprayed onto the foundation walls, up to the rim joists filling every crack and void guaranteeing a complete airtight seal. With this encapsulation, these homeowners can be sure that their personal belongings will be protected.
With every step the homeowners took, the floors seemed to sink just a little more. They knew something was definitely wrong, but just couldn't make sense of it. That is when they called John's Waterproofing. We sent one of our very own Design Specialists out to the home, and they inspected the crawl space and quickly found the problem. Several of the wooden support posts had rotted away. After talking with the homeowners, it was determined that an old plumbing leak from years ago was likely the cause. The homeowners decided it was time for a permanent solution to stabilize their home for once and for all.
As soon as our structural experts arrived, the project started right away. Every rotted post was removed and replaced with SmartJacks. These heavy-duty steel piers are fully adjustable, allowing them to fit the exact height needed while providing long-lasting support for the home above. Since the existing concrete footings weren't damaged, the SmartJacks were installed right on top without the need for additional steel footings. The new support system was finally in place, and the homeowners can walk through their home without a worry in the world that the floors will sag once more.
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