Crawl Space Repair Before & After Photos

Water damage is every homeowners biggest nightmare. It can cause the wooden posts supporting your home to rot, increases exposure to mold growth, and structural damage can cost homeowners thousands. Good thing at John's Waterproofing our encapsulation process helps to keep your crawl spaces dry and healthy so that water can't cause any damage. The most important step in the encapsulation system is removing everything in the crawl space that has been water damaged. Usually that means we are taking out falling fiberglass insulation and the destroyed vapor barrier. Once everything is cleared out, we can install a proper drainage system. We dig a trench along the interior perimeter of the crawl space and lay a perforated pipe. This pipe can collect any water that tries to enter and offers it a safe passageway to a drain. For this encapsulation we installed a SmartDrain to collect the water from the pipe and send it away from the homes foundation. This system helps to keep the crawl space dry and avoid standing water. Afterwards, we install TerraBlock along the entire base of the space. This is a thick insulation foam that seals the earth from the house. It helps insulate and promotes energy efficiency because it regulates the environment. Next, a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed on the base, up the foundation walls, and between the footing and wooden posts to isolate and protect. This vapor barrier differs from code regulated barriers because instead of only being 6 mil thin, it is 20 mil thick. It helps keep water from seeping over top and getting into the crawl space. A SaniDry dehumidifier is installed that filters the air by pulling out any particles or moisture. Lastly, Spray Foam is applied along the foundation walls to insulate and air seal the space. Once the encapsulation is completed, it has a clean look while also keeping it dry and healthy. 

Keeping your crawl space dry and healthy is extremely important in order to maintain a healthy home. If water gets into the crawl space, this can result in atmospheres for mold to grow, wood to rot, and poor air quality to waft into the living spaces. In order to protect your crawl space, John's Waterproofing recommends getting them fully encapsulated. An encapsulation begins by removing the damaged vapor barrier and clearing out any debris. Once everything is removed, then we install a drainage system. This involves installing a perforated pipe along the interior perimeter of the crawl space so that it can collect water from the ground or walls that try to seep through. It offers a safe passageway for that water to be sent to a SuperSump Plus sump pump. The sump pump is what works to take all that collected water and securely pushes it out of the crawl space and away from the homes foundation. Once there is control of water, then we can install TerraBlock. This is a thick insulation foam designed to seal the earth off from the home and regulate the environment. On top of the TerraBlock, a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed. This vapor barrier differs from code-regulated ones because it is 20 mil thick and backed by a 25 year warranty against rips and tears. We also install CleanSpace up the foundation walls and between the footing and wooden posts to isolate and protect from water damage. Once everything is sealed with waterproof tape, then we can install a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier. This helps to filter any moisture or particles out of the air, thus promoting better air quality in the living spaces. The final step would be applying Spray Foam to the foundation walls as a final air sealant and insulator. Now, this encapsulation will protect the home against water intrusion so that it can stay dry and healthy for its occupants.

This homes crawl space had the old fiberglass falling, and it smelled very musty. The owners of the home were concerned about the health risks that could be occurring by living with this kind of mess under their feet. To get assistance, they called up John's Waterproofing so they could learn about what they could do. This is how they learned about encapsulation. The owners were sold on this solution; energy savings, indoor air benefits, and overall health benefits for the homes longevity. We pulled out the old vapor barrier, fiberglass, and general debris. We then installed drainage, a sump pump, and insulated with TerraBlock and Spray Foam. We use a CleanSpace vapor barrier, and installed a SaniDry dehumidifier. Now this space is dry and healthy.

This crawlspace was dirty, musty and full of stagnant wet air. Our team came in and removed the debris from the crawlspace, provided appropriate drainage and completed the system with our patented SaniDry dehumidifier. Now the air in the home is cleaner and healthier and the crawlspace is safe from mold and rot. Next week this crawlspace will receive spray foam insulation to better regulate the homes temperatures and increase energy efficiency throughout the home. 

This old vapor barrier had been installed by another company and was ready to be replaced. To give the waterproofing system a longer lifespan, the homeowners opted to upgrade to a CleanSpace Vapor Barrier and Crawlspace Specific Insulation.