Crawl Space Repair Photo Album: Professional Prevention of Water Damage - Salem, OR

Upon entering into this homes crawl space, our design specialist found an extreme amount of standing water. As he fully entered the space, he began his thorough inspection, concluding that waterproofing was needed in order to prevent damage to the structure of this home. Standing water in crawl spaces causes a plethora of issues: structural instability, dangerous shifting of the homes foundation, foul odors, bacteria growth, poor air quality effecting the health of families, and more. In order to protect this home and family from further implications of water damage, our crew encapsulated the crawl space, sealing the space entirely to prevent air, debris, and moisture from entering. First, all debris was removed from beneath the home, and then industrial fans were placed inside of the space for several days with a sump pump and discharge line, until the whole area was nice and dry. Now it was time to begin encapsulating. For this, we set up a full drainage system within a trench along the interior perimeter to collect water, guiding it to the sump pump and discharge line. Following this we laid down 2 layers of ground coverings - TerraBlock and CleanSpace. TerraBlock is a thick pad laid directly on top of the dirt floor, to insulate the ground, while providing a sturdy surface. CleanSpace is a heavy-duty, 20 Mil thick vapor barrier laid on top of the TerraBlock, as well as up onto the walls, preventing water from seeping in. CleanSpace is interlaced with carbon fibers, making it incredibly durable. It is also bright and white, transforming dark, dreary crawl spaces into dry, welcoming areas that can be safely used as dry storage. After these dual ground coverings were installed a SaniDry Sedona Dehumidifier was installed to clean and filter the air, removing all moisture, allergens, and toxins, while preventing mold growth. Next, each vent was sealed with a vent cover, to prevent rodents, debris, and water from gaining access beneath the home. Lastly, Spray Foam Insulation was installed directly onto the concrete foundation walls, until every crevice and void was filled with a 100% air-tight seal. Spray Foam is the only type of insulation that qualifies as an air, thermal, vapor, and moisture barrier, making it the most effective insulator available. Encapsulated crawl spaces have the potential to save homeowners up to 40% per year on heating and cooling costs, while also creating a healthy air quality inside of the home. The purchase of your home is one of the largest, and most important investments you will ever make, and encapsulation helps you protect that investment.