Photo Album: Nasty Crawl Space Gets Encapsulated - Salem, OR

After noticing strange smells in their home, this homeowner decided it was time to get their crawl space checked out. They knew that there had been a water intrusion in the past, but had no idea how much damage was really done. Upon inspection we found falling fiberglass insulation, ripped vapor barrier, and signs of rodent activity. We informed the homeowners that the best long-term solution would be to fully encapsulate the space. This is the process of sealing the home off from the earth and controlling the environment. First, we needed to remove all the fallen insulation and ripped vapor barriers because they were increasing the exposure to mold and mildew. Then, we installed a drainage system using a perforated pipe and a SmartDrain. The pipe is placed along the interior perimeter of the space which is capable of collecting any water that tries to seep through. It then sends that water to the SmartDrain as a safe passageway to exit the space. Now that the crawl space will remain dry, TerraBlock is installed. This thick insulation foam seals the earth off from the home and helps improve energy efficiency. On top of the TerraBlock, a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed. This is a 20 mil thick vapor barrier made with woven fibers that prevents water from being able to seep through. It is backed by a 25 year warranty against rips and tears to help ensure the homeowner of its durability. A SaniDry dehumidifier is installed to promote better air quality by pulling excess moisture out of the air. Lastly, Spray Foam will be applied to the foundation walls as a final air sealant and insulator. Once this entire system is installed, the homeowner will get to enjoy all the benefits of a dry and healthy crawl space, including eliminating the strange odor in their home.