Crawl Space Repair Photo Album: From Exposed to Closed, Full Encapsulation - Sheridan, OR

Imagine hearing the term "encapsulation" and having no idea that it related to your crawl space. Well, that was the case for this homeowner who was at the store and heard about someone doing an encapsulation on their house. This homeowner decided to inspect their crawl space and see if it was something they would need, now understanding that it was a necessity to protect your entire home from water damage. They were shocked to find that their crawl space had puddles of water everywhere and their vapor barrier was completely destroyed. They reached out to John's Waterproofing for help to do a full encapsulation and prevent future water from coming in and causing damage to their home. We began the encapsulation by installing a drainage system. This includes digging a trench along the interior perimeter of the space and laying a perforated pipe. This pipe has holes in it to be able to collect water and safely guide it. It connects to the inside of a TripleSafe sump pump and deposits the water in the container. This sump pump then pushes that water out and away from the homes foundation. We then installed insulation along the base of the crawl space. TerraBlock is a 3/4 in. insulation foam that is durable and water resistant. Along top of the insulation we installed a new CleanSpace vapor barrier. This vapor barrier protects from moisture seeping up into the crawl space and helps to control the environment. It has a 25 year warranty against rips and tears from it being made with thick woven fibers. To help further control the environment in the crawl space, a SaniDry dehumidifier was installed that can pull the moisture out of the air. A healthy crawl space only has a relative humidity level of 55% and below, and this dehumidifier ensures the air quality stays within that range. Finally, for insulation along the foundation walls we apply Spray Foam. It is created to expand into every crack and crevice to completely air seal the space. Now, this homeowner knows the importance of an encapsulation and gets all the benefits of a healthy, dry home.