Waterproofing a Crawl Space turned Basement in Salem, OR
Challenge
Some older homes that we visit had crawl spaces that were converted into basements. This presents a unique ledge that wraps around the entirety of the space. It can be a convenient spot for storage items. Without waterproofing though, it accumulates moisture and can attract mold spores as water moves down into the soil around it. This particular homes basement had been used for storage and the homeowner was ready to convert this into a healthy space. Water would pool in the middle of the room, and the support beams in this space were beginning to rot from the prolonged water exposure. The homeowner had applied a store bought water sealant and applied it along the walls, and while the pooling water decreased, it did not provide a full solution. The homeowner called up John's Waterproofing, and we crafted a solution that combines crawl space and basement waterproofing solutions to suit the homes needs.
Solution
To address this homes layout, we began by digging a trench along the interior perimeter, here we laid down a bed of gravel and due to the pour style of the foundation, we installed our two part drainage system. Since the lowest point of the space was in the middle where water would pool, we also installed drainage lines from the center to the edges, and ensured the drain system grades down to the TripleSafe sump pump we installed. This will then push away out and away from the homes foundation. For the crawl space shelf we installed dimpled drainage mat and encased it with CleanSpace, this anchors along the walls and is sealed into place. The CleanSpace works well since the woven material is backed with a 25 year warranty against rips and tears, making this space still a great option for storage or display space. The walls were then covered with BrightWall paneling to give the space an easy to maintain material that acts as a vapor barrier, will not rot or mold, and gives a semi-finished appearance. We then installed SmartJacks to replace the rotting beams in the middle of the room and a SaniDry Dehumidifier. This space is now dry and healthy!
