A Crawlspace Needs to be Checked - Newport, OR
Challenge
As a homeowner, it is so much easier to keep up the maintenance on the items you regularly see. Sadly this can leave a crawlspace overlooked, and just like the rest of your home, it needs to be checked periodically. From the ground shifting, homes settling, and mud moving around under your home, a crawlspaces design can be altered and waterproofing needs can change over time. This home had that issue. The homeowner had noticed water under their home years ago. They installed their own sump pump and rolled out their own vapor barrier to protect their home. However, once it was done, they thought that it was all good. As the years progressed their home settled, and cracks began to grow in the foundation walls. Since the underside of the home wasn't being maintained, damage began to occur. Eventually, the homeowners noticed that their floors were uneven and doors were no longer closing evenly into place. When they checked under their home, the crawlspace was flooded, pooling from under and on top of the vapor barrier, and reaching the wooden foundation beams, causing rot and mildew.
Solution
To solve this issue we had a lot of work to do, beginning with the removal of the old vapor barrier, the falling fiberglass insulation, and other debris from under the home. Then we had to dry out the crawlspace so we could get to work. Next, we removed the old sump pump and installed a new TripleSafe sump pump with a discharge line to push all water out and away from the foundation of the home to a newly installed LawnScape outlet. We then got to work on protecting the longevity of the home. To give the home the structural support it needs, we ended up changing out fourteen of the wooden posts, using the existing footings, and then added in an additional thirty-eight SmartJacks to provide added support where the beams were weakened by the water damage. We then installed our CleanSpace vapor barrier which connects along the walls, isolates each post, and is waterproofed, and taped together to encase the space. Finally, each vent was sealed and a new Turtl entryway was added. To keep up on this job, we will do annual service visits so this home can truly stay dry and healthy.
