Rodents and Mold Found in Crawl Space - Vancouver, WA
Challenge
These homeowners were experiencing musty smells, humid rooms and rodent activity in their home. A lot of the time, crawl spaces are perceived as dirty and dangerous so they are avoided for years until problems present themselves. High humidity promotes mold and mildew growth which causes wood rot and creates the perfect environment to attract pests and rodents that can increase the chance of poor air quality throughout the entire home. Wanting to find a solution that would solve these issues, they reached out to John's and scheduled their free visit. We went out and thoroughly inspected the crawl space, took photos and then met with the homeowner to go over the best options to permanently solve these issues and protect the home for years to come. After going over and signing the estimate, we began the project.
Solution
We start by removing all of the debris, fiberglass insulation and vapor barrier. We found evidence of mold, so we used our Mold-X2, which is our highly effective cleaner for contaminated surfaces. Mold stains are removed in 20 seconds. Next, we dig a trench around the interior perimeter of the crawl space in which we place a 3 inch perforated pipe into a silt sock that will secure a passage for water to drain to the lowest point. Then, at this low point we install our SuperSump plus, that will collect the water and pump it outside via discharge line. We also install our SmartDrain system that will alert the homeowner to a plumbing leak with an audible alarm and will drain the water into drywell underneath the CleanSpace until it can be addressed. We cover all of the vents to prevent outside air from entering. We then install our TerraBlock system which will create an insulated barrier between the home and the earth. Afterwards, we anchor our CleanSpace system into the foundation walls, up to the rim joists and we lift the posts to install it between the footing and it is sealed across the top the TerraBlock system as well. To keep the environment controlled we install our SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier. This will effectively eliminate damp and musty odors by drying and filtering the air, which in turn will provide healthier air quality in the entire home. Lastly we install our foam insulation. This is sprayed along the foundation walls, up to the rim joists, filling every crack and void. This will not only guarantee a complete airtight seal but it will help lower energy costs as well as keep rodents from entering. Now that this crawl space is fully encapsulated, these homeowners can be sure their home is dry, heathy and stable.
