Your Respected Depoe Bay, OR Basement Waterproofing & Crawl Space Repair Pros

Rodent issues can be difficult to deal with. This homeowner had been dealing with their vent screens getting chewed through, a rodent smell wafting into the living spaces, and they were tired of it. They had put traps in the crawl space, but the upkeep to clean these and reset them was a lot of work. To get a solution in place they began researching, and wanted to learn more about encapsulation. They scheduled their free inspection with us so they could ask questions and find a solution for their home. 

To begin we removed the old vapor barrier and general debris that was present. We then sealed the vents shut, and installed a drain system. This collects groundwater, and connects to a sump pump to dispel the water away from the homes foundation. TerraBlock insulation goes over the dirt floor and CleanSpace goes over this. This is a 20 Mil vapor barrier with a woven fiber through it to deter critters from chewing through it. We then installed a SaniDry dehumidifier and then air sealed the foundation with spray foam to ensure critters cant make their way through. 

This homes crawl space was generally clean, the home had been built in the last few years. However, the homeowners knew that neighbors had critter issues. They had seen pest control vans at multiple homes and decided to glance under their home. While they didn't see a major issue, they noted droppings were present and some of the crawl space vents had been chewed on. They didn't want this issue to endure so they called up John's to learn about an encapsulation and how it would deter critters from this space. 

To begin we cleared the area by removing the old vapor barrier and fiberglass insulation. Since the home had a natural slope we installed a SuperSump Plus in the low point, allowing gravity to guide any moisture to the pump to be addressed. We then installed TerraBlock insulation over the dirt floors and sealed the vents shut. We then installed our CleanSpace vapor barrier. This is 20 Mil thick with a woven fiber through it, that will deter critters from chewing through it. This goes under each wooden pier, anchors to the walls, and is fully sealed up. We installed a SaniDry dehumidifier and air sealed with spray foam. The space is now ready and critters will be deterred from making their way under this home! 

We received a call from a homeowner saying they needed a new vapor barrier because there was standing water on top of it. When there is standing water on top of a vapor barrier, the answer to the problem extends beyond a new vapor barrier. It's a clear sign that too much water is in the crawlspace and a more thorough solution to control the water is needed. One of our System Designers was scheduled and arrived at the home. He did a complete inspection of the crawlspace and around the exterior of the home. He then went inside and sat with the homeowner and showed him the photos he took and explained that the most likely reason for the water being so high was because of the surrounding high water tables. Together they built a proposal that offered a solution that would take care of the problem and satisfy the homeowner and his pocketbook.

The installation crew arrived and got to work removing the old vapor barrier, assorted debris, and all of the insulation from the floor below and remnants remaining above. A trench was dug around the perimeter where a perforated pipe in a silt sock was laid to gather the water and it was all graded to the low spot where a SmartSump and an UltraSump battery backup were installed. The discharge from the pump was connected to the downspout drain so it could discharge properly. A new 6mil vapor barrier was laid on the dirt floor, generously overlapped and attaching to the foundation walls and a few of the post piers to keep it firmly in place.

This appointment took our System Designer to the coast to visit a customer who called to find out how we could help her with her wet crawlspace. More than happy to, he drove to her home and asked her a few questions so he could understand her concerns. Her biggest fear was mold. She was allergic to mold and didn't want her home to make her sick. The System Designer told her that encapsulation was the only sure way to keep her home mold-free. She knew something about it because she had read through the highly informative book that John's Waterproofing had mailed to her prior to his visit and she was very interested. The System Designer went into the crawlspace to thoroughly inspect it and measure the humidity levels. After assessing the space, he sat with her and put together a proposal explaining every expenditure and any options she may want to consider. 

As scheduled, the crew come over to do the work. All of the debris, old insulation and barrier were removed.  A perforated pipe drainage system was installed around the perimeter and graded to a TripleSafe Sump system at the low point of the crawlspace. TerraBlock was laid over the dirt floor and the vents were sealed up and posts isolated. A CleanSpace barrier was installed and all seams were sealed up, and run up the walls, fastening under the rim joist. A SaniDry dehumidifier was installed to ensure the humidity was controlled to prevent mold growth with the air filtered for a healthy home. Finally, Spray foam was applied to the rim joist to aid the TerraBlock in insulating the space.

This homeowner had a basement/crawlspace combo and both were wet and needed help.  John's Waterproofing was called to help. Our System Designer arrived and did a full examination of the crawlspace and found it wet with insulation failing and a vapor barrier that was dirty and failing to cover the floor of the crawlspace. After measuring the space and taking several pictures of the crawlspace damage he went on to examine the basement where he found water seeping in through what we refer to as the cold joint or where the footing meets the wall. After taking several photos and measuring the space, he sat down with the homeowner to explain to him what was going on and how John's Waterproofing could fix it and keep both spaces dry.

A few weeks later our Installation team arrived to do the work. Starting with the basement WaterGuard was laid around the perimeter. WaterGuard is an award-winning drain system that is laid in a bed of gravel that is in a trench that is jackhammered open on the footing of the basement and concreted over leaving it virtually invisible. The WaterGuard terminates at a TripleSafe Sump Pump and discharge was directed to an exterior rain drain. BrightWall was chosen to cover the walls making the basement light and bright and assuring that any water intrusion from the walls would be directed into the WaterGuard. Next was addressing the crawlspace. They cleaned the debris, old insulation, and barrier from the crawlspace. The floor of the crawlspace was higher than that of the basement so around the perimeter a 3" perforated pipe drain system was laid, terminating at the basement wall. A hole was drilled to let the water flow into a WellDuct that was tucked into the WaterGuard so it would properly drain to the TripleSafe sump and be removed.  A new 6mil vapor barrier was laid and overlapped properly and attached to the walls to assure any water intrusion from the walls was captured and led to the drain system.

Now this homeowner had a warranted system to keep his crawlspace and basement clean and dry.

This home's driveway had a sloped decline towards the basement entryway. While it had been installed with a drainage system, it couldn't keep up with the water that it was facing. Tired of having to squeegee the basement out after heavy rain, the homeowners were ready to find a solution to their water problem. For the experts in waterproofing, they called in John's Waterproofing. 

An install crew went out and began digging up the first drainage system in the driveway. We installed a bigger drainage system to be able to keep up with the water demands. To add more protection to the home we also dug a trench along the interior perimeter of the basement and installed a WaterGuard drainage system with a TripleSafe sump pump to divert all groundwater out and away from the foundation of the home. The home will now be ready for the rain, no more squeegeeing out this home!

After the bizarre weather that Oregon has had lately, the homeowner decided to check out the odd mold like smell drafting from the crawlspace. Once in the crawlspace, water was found seeping up through the dirt floor. The plastic tarps that had been down there from another company was not stopping the water buildup. Instead, water was pooling on the tarps and mold was growing on it. 

The homeowner called Johns to come and asses the damage, and luckily it was not to severe, all the insulation in the crawlspace was still dry and the water had remained on the ground level. To make sure that the water didn't turn to vapor and infiltrate the homes foundation, Johns got to work. The installation crew began by taking out all of the damaged and poorly installed tarps. Once the space was cleaned out it was ready to start the real work. Each support beam was isolated and properly sealed to keep any water from reaching the wood, we used TerraBlock and Cleanspace sheets to encapsulate the crawlspace so no water could get in. A TripleSafe Sump Pump was installed to ensure the water under the new Cleanspace would have a way to get out and away from this homes foundation. To cap of the project, the vents in the crawlspace were properly sealed off. 

Luckily the homeowner was on top of this issue before it could get worse. With a proper waterproofing system in place, and annual service to keep the system in tip top order, this home will be ready for whatever Oregon weather comes!