Crawl Space Repair Before & After Photos

Water damage is every homeowners biggest nightmare. It can cause the wooden posts supporting your home to rot, increases exposure to mold growth, and structural damage can cost homeowners thousands. Good thing at John's Waterproofing our encapsulation process helps to keep your crawl spaces dry and healthy so that water can't cause any damage. The most important step in the encapsulation system is removing everything in the crawl space that has been water damaged. Usually that means we are taking out falling fiberglass insulation and the destroyed vapor barrier. Once everything is cleared out, we can install a proper drainage system. We dig a trench along the interior perimeter of the crawl space and lay a perforated pipe. This pipe can collect any water that tries to enter and offers it a safe passageway to a drain. For this encapsulation we installed a SmartDrain to collect the water from the pipe and send it away from the homes foundation. This system helps to keep the crawl space dry and avoid standing water. Afterwards, we install TerraBlock along the entire base of the space. This is a thick insulation foam that seals the earth from the house. It helps insulate and promotes energy efficiency because it regulates the environment. Next, a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed on the base, up the foundation walls, and between the footing and wooden posts to isolate and protect. This vapor barrier differs from code regulated barriers because instead of only being 6 mil thin, it is 20 mil thick. It helps keep water from seeping over top and getting into the crawl space. A SaniDry dehumidifier is installed that filters the air by pulling out any particles or moisture. Lastly, Spray Foam is applied along the foundation walls to insulate and air seal the space. Once the encapsulation is completed, it has a clean look while also keeping it dry and healthy. 

This homeowner found some concerns with the support in their home and decided to inspect their crawl space. In certain areas, doors weren't closing properly and the floor felt like it was sagging. This was occurring due to the the wooden posts in the crawl space being water damaged and deteriorating. Once the wooden posts absorb moisture, they begin to rot and mold. This makes them unstable and unable to properly support the home. At John's Waterproofing, we are able to fix this issue with SmartJacks. These are steel adjustable piers designed to stabilize the home in areas where the wooden posts no longer can. They are made of materials that won't rot or grow mold, which helps make them durable during any situation. Each year they can also be adjusted to ensure the home is staying steady and supported. Now, this homeowner feels much safer in their home knowing that the foundation is supported and secure. 

When water enters a crawl space, the humidity rises, the air quality is poor and even the value of the home lowers.  This homeowner reached out to John's after finding signs of a water intrusion in their crawl space. We sent out one of our knowledgeable system design specialists to perform a thorough inspection of the crawl space. When he was done, he met with the homeowners to go over the best option to permanently solve this issue. The homeowners were happy with the solution offered and they moved forward with the estimate. To begin this project, we removed all of the debris, fiberglass insulation, and old vapor barrier. Next, 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 create a secure passage for water to drain to the lowest point. Then, at this low point, we install our SuperSump plus, that will collect all of the water and pump it outside of the home, away from the foundation via discharge line. Next, we install our TerraBlock system directly on the dirt floor of the crawl space. This creates an insulated barrier between the home and the earth. Along all of the foundation walls and on top of the TerraBlock we install our CleanSpace system. This 20-mil-thick liner is tear resistant and manufactured with an antimicrobial additive called "UltraFresh" molded right into the material. It is sealed at the footing of the wooden posts with our waterproof tape. To keep the environment controlled we install our SaniDry Sedona. This will keep the home at a healthy relative humidity and will eliminate damp and musty odors by drying and filtering the air. Finally, to finish this crawl space, we install our foam insulation. We spray this foam along the foundation walls in layers, filling every crack and void. This type of insulation offers a complete air tight seal which will help lower energy costs. Now that this crawl space is fully encapsulated this homeowner no longer has to worry about water causing issues down the line. 

These homeowner were smelling a musty odor and suspected their crawl space was the main culprit. They called John's waterproofing to schedule their free estimate and inspection. Once our system design specialist was done, he met with the homeowner to go over what he found and than designed the best option to create a healthy and dry crawl space. After going over the estimate they went ahead and scheduled their project.  We start removing all of the debris, including any fiberglass insulation and vapor barrier. Next, we dig a trench around the interior perimeter of the crawl space to then install a 3 inch perforated pipe into a silt sock which will secure a passage for the water to drain to the lowest point. At this low point we install our SuperSump plus which will take all of the collected water and pump it outside and away from the homes foundation via discharge line. TerraBlock is installed on the floor of the crawl space which creates an insulated barrier between the home and the earth. On top of the TerraBlock, we install our 20 mil thick liner called CleanSpace. This is anchored into the foundation walls up to the rim joists and sealed at the footing of the wooden posts with our waterproof tape. We also cover all of the vents to prevent outside air from entering. This blocks pests and rodents from entering. To keep a controlled environment, we then install our SaniDry Sedona. This is our effective dehumidifier that will keep the home at a healthy relative humidity all while eliminating musty and damp odors by drying and filtering the air. To finish this project, we install our foam insulation. Unlike traditional fiberglass, this foam is sprayed all along the foundation walls in layers, expanding and filling every crack and void to guarantee an airtight seal. 

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.