Fixing Sagging Floors - Albany, OR
Challenge
A sagging floor in the crawl space is a large indicator that there is a structural support problem in your home. This can be caused from moisture leaking in and deteriorating the wooden posts and beams. Luckily, this homeowner reached out to John's Waterproofing before the water damage caused too much instability and irreparable damage. A full encapsulation would be necessary in order to seal the crawl space and install a waterproof barrier to prevent moisture from getting into the home. This process involves installing a vapor barrier for insulation, SmartJacks to stabilize, and putting in a dehumidifier to dry out the space and keep moisture out.
Solution
By doing an encapsulation, we are able to control the environment to keep the homes foundation in good condition. Beginning this process involves removing the damaged vapor barrier and identifying damaged wooden posts. SmartJacks are steel beams that act as a foundation support system replacing wooden posts that have been water damaged. These are able to withstand any conditions because they aren't affected by mold or moisture. Once the home is stabilized, we begin the waterproofing process by installing a TerraBlock insulation foam and a CleanSpace vapor barrier. The vapor barrier goes directly on top of the Terrablock and between the concrete footing and wooden posts to isolate against water. A SaniDry dehumidifier is installed to pull moisture out of the air and control the humidity levels. This is important because if there is a high humidity, then the air is wet causing the wood to get wet too which results in rotting. Finally, to insulate the rest of the space, Spray Foam is applied directly to the walls air sealing and preventing excess moisture from seeping in. This encapsulation was able to effectively support the sagging floors and control the environment so it won't happen again.
