Fixing your Leaky Crawl Spaces - Marysville, WA
Challenge
This homeowner noticed that water was leaky in their crawl space from their backyard and wanted a solution to fix it. They knew that any kind of water in the crawl space could cause structural damage to their home if left untreated. They reached out to John's Waterproofing about what options they had to fix the water issue and we suggested a full encapsulation.
Solution
A full encapsulation is the process of sealing off the crawl space from the earth and making sure it is protected against any kind of water intrusion. First, we go in and remove the damaged vapor barrier. This is important because if it has any rips or tears than it can't properly keep water out. Then, we install a drainage system. Because this homeowner was concerned about the standing water in the crawl space, by installing a drainage system with a perforated pipe and sump pump it can ensure there is a secure flow for water to go through. The pipe collects any groundwater that rises up and guides it to the lowest point in the crawl space where a TripleSafe sump pump is installed. The TripleSafe takes all that water and can safely push it out and away from the homes foundation. We then start sealing the crawl space off from the earth to protect the homes structural integrity. This is done by sealing off the vents, and than installing TerraBlock along the entire base. TerraBlock is a thick and durable insulation foam that provides moisture protection in the crawl space because it seals it off the earth beneath. Over top, a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed. This going over the TerraBlock, up the foundation walls, and between the footing and wooden posts to isolate and protect against water from seeping through. It is a 20 mil thick liner made with woven fibers that protect against any rips or tears. To insulate and air seal, Spray Foam is applied to the foundation walls. It is made of materials that expand to fit into every crack or crevice, thus ensuring the space is sealed. Lastly, a SaniDry dehumidifier is installed to filter the air and pull out any moisture or particles. After the encapsulation process is completed, the homeowner no longer has to worry about water entering their crawl space.
