Crawl Space Repair Photo Album: Moisture Issues in the Crawl Space - Beaverton, OR
This homeowner recently moved into a new home and wanted to make sure everything was in top condition. They decided to check their crawl space and make sure no water was getting in. Upon inspecting, they found that the vapor barrier was covered in debris and their fiberglass insulation was absorbing moisture and causing it to sag from the sub-floor. Wanting to get the issue resolved, they reached out to John's Waterproofing. We recommended that a full encapsulation would be beneficial in reducing the moisture content and keeping the crawl space healthy. First, we removed the damaged vapor barrier and all the insulation. Then, we installed a drainage system using a perforated pipe and a SuperSump Plus sump pump. These two work together to collect any water that tries to intrude and offers a safe passageway to be pushed out of the crawl space. Once we can ensure the space will remain dry, TerraBlock gets installed. This thick insulation foam seals the home off from the earth and helps to regulate the environment. It helps to keep the crawl space around the same temperature, promoting energy efficiency, and the heating/cooling systems don't have to work as hard to keep up with the changing outdoor climate. A CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed on top of the TerraBlock, up the foundation walls, and between the footing and wooden posts. This isolates and protects the space from water intrusion due to it being a 20 mil thick liner made with woven fibers. It is even backed by a 25 year warranty against rips and tears. A SaniDry dehumidifier is installed to control the amount of moisture in the air and regulates the humidity levels. Lastly, Spray Foam is applied to the foundation walls as an air sealant and insulator. After this entire system is installed, the environment in the crawl space can be controlled to prevent future moisture issues.
Falling Insulation from High Moisture in the Air.
When there is a lot of moisture in the air, this gets absorbed by the fiberglass insulation and makes it loose. It begins to sag and fall from the sub-floor, negating its purpose of insulating the home.
Damaged Vapor Barrier.
The original vapor barrier was covered in dirt and debris brought in from past water intrusion. Once the water evaporates, it leaves behind sediment on the vapor barrier that can cause rips and tears.
Clearing the Crawl Space Out.
The first step of the encapsulation is clearing the fallen insulation and ripped vapor barrier. This helps to have a fresh start when installing the encapsulation.
Installing TerraBlock Insulation Foam.
TerraBlock is a thick insulation foam installed along the base of the crawl space. It seals the space off from the earth and helps to regulate the environment.
Spray Foam and CleanSpace.
The last steps in the encapsulation is sealing the new CleanSpace vapor barrier and applying Spray Foam to the foundation walls. These both work to prevent water intrusion and keep the crawl space healthy.
