Reliable Sedro Woolley Waterproofing & Home Repair Experts

This homeowner discovered that the original vapor barrier in their crawl space had been destroyed due to excess water seeping through. This occurs when the vapor barrier isn't secured in the crawl space and allows for entry of water to seep through. The water will bring in outside dirt and debris which causes the vapor barrier to rip and tear. If left in this condition, over time water will continue to have access into the crawl space and can cause structural damage to the home like mold growth and wood rotting. Aware that having an intact vapor barrier is important, this homeowner decided to call John's Waterproofing to get the issue resolved. 

To begin, we removed the original destroyed vapor barrier because it could no longer serve its purpose of keeping water out. To keep water from standing stagnant in this space we thin installed a full drain system with a TripleSafe sump pump which will work to collect and direct groundwater through a discharge line away from the homes foundation. Then we installed a new 6 mil vapor barrier along the base of the crawl space, up the foundation walls, and between the footing and wooden posts to isolate and protect against water damage. It is secured up the foundation walls with anchors so that it stays tight and secure. When the vapor barrier is installed along the base, we ensure to overlap over each seam. The purpose of a vapor barrier helps with moisture control and keeping water from getting into the crawl space. Once the new vapor barrier is fully installed, the homeowner can enjoy the benefits of a dry home.

This homeowner had been informed by their peers about the dangers of water in the crawl space. Curious about the state of their crawl space, they decided to inspect it for themselves and see if it was anything worth worrying about. Unfortunately, they discovered years worth of water damage along their vapor barrier and foundation walls. Wanting a professional's opinion, they reached out to John's Waterproofing about what options they had to save their crawl space and keep their home healthy. 

Encapsulation is the process of sealing the earth off from your home and ensuring the environment is controlled so that mold and mildew can't grow. It also helps with other aspects of your home like better air quality, wood rot, and being more energy efficient. When we begin an encapsulation, the first thing to do is remove the damaged insulation and vapor barrier because they can no longer serve their purpose of protecting the home. Then, we install a drainage system using a perforated pipe and a sump pump to ensure secure passage of water to exit the crawl space. The perforated pipe is installed along the interior perimeter of the crawl space and it collects any water that tries to enter. It is connected to a SuperSump Plus sump pump that takes all the collected water and safely pushes it out of the space and away from the homes foundation. Once the drainage system is installed and the water intrusion is controlled, then we install TerraBlock. This is a thick insulation foam that seals the earth off from the home. On top of the TerraBlock, then a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed. This thick liner is made with woven fibers that help prevent against rips or tears so that the crawl space is completely protected against water damage. A SaniDry dehumidifier is installed to filter the air by pulling out any moisture or particles. Lastly, Spray Foam is applied to the foundation walls as a final air sealant and insulator to ensure total control over the crawl space's environment. All these systems make up the encapsulation process to ensure the crawl space is protected to stay dry and healthy.

After a heavy rainy season, water began flooding into this homeowner's crawl space. They weren't prepared for this issue and didn't know what options were available to them to get rid of the water and save their home quickly. They reached out to John's Waterproofing about what systems we could offer them and they agreed a Pipe Pump Plastic method would be the best for their situation. 

The Pipe Pump Plastic system is perfect for homeowners who want a quick solution until they are ready to fully encapsulate. It involves controlling the flow of water, while also installing a vapor barrier to seal the earth off from the home. The first step is installing a perforated pipe along the interior perimeter of the crawl space. This guides water to a TripleSafe sump pump so that it won't have access to flood into the space. The TripleSafe sump pump takes all that collected water and can safely push it out of the crawl space and away from the homes foundation. The last step is installing a 6 mil vapor barrier along the base, up the foundation walls, and between the footing and wooden posts. Each seam of the vapor barrier is overlapped and it is anchored to the foundation walls to ensure no water will be able to seep over top. Once this system is completed, the homeowner can enjoy a dry crawl space until they are ready to encapsulate it for a long-term solution.