John's Waterproofing Case Studies: Neglected Crawlspace Needs Attention - Sandy, OR
Challenge
Most of the time John's Waterproofing receives urgent calls because of water in a crawlspace or basement. Then there's the proactive customer that realizes the need to keep their crawlspace in good condition to ward off problems in the future and they know the importance in having a healthy space under their home since the air travels up into their livable space. They had heard about encapsulation from friends, so they searched online and found John's Waterproofing. A System Designer was sent to the home to do a complete inspection and provide the educational tools so the homeowner could make an informed decision.
Solution
The installation crew arrived and began by removing the old 6mil plastic barrier, the old, failing fiberglass insulation as well as assorted construction debris and items that had found their way into the crawlspace over the years. Though water had not been a problem in the past, a 3' perforated pipe drain system was installed around the perimeter so that, should it ever be needed, the CleanSpace system wouldn't have to be redone to accommodate the addition of a drainage system. Over that, TerraBlock, a 3/4" dense foam barrier was laid on the dirt floor to aid in the insulation of the crawlspace and to protect the CleanSpace barrier. CleanSpace is a 20mil nylon-reinforced barrier that is used to isolate each post from any moisture and to cover the entire crawlspace floor. Its seams are all sealed and run up the foundation walls fastening securely under the rim joist. A SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier is installed to keep the air in the crawlspace dry so mold and mildew won't grow and also filter the air continuously. The rotting wood entry door was replaced with a 1/2" thick EverLast Crawlspace door that would be impervious to bugs and critters and last for the life of the home. A few days later our spray foam specialist came our and applied a 3" layer of single-cell spray foam on the foundation walls and rim joist, effectively air sealing the crawlspace. Because it was a taller crawlspace, now it could be used for storage, reduced utility bills, an increased value of the home and, most importantly, cleaner air to breathe!
