Before & After Photos

Moisture infiltration in this Midlothian, VA crawl space has resulted in damaged and fallen insulation and microbial growth. In the living space, the homeowner is experiencing cold floors and drafts in the winter and humidity in the warmer months. 

All of the debris and old, damaged material is cleaned out of the space. The vents, and any penetrations through the foundation wall to the outside are sealed. Then a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed. The vapor barrier is overlapped and sealed at all seams, attached to the foundation wall, and wrapped and sealed around all piers. Next, our spray foam technicians will apply closed-cell spray foam insulation to the foundation walls, insulate the rim band, and install a dehumidifier to control the relative humidity. 

We replaced the 6-mil vapor barrier in this crawl space with a 20-mil CleanSpace vapor barrier. CleanSpace is overlapped and sealed at all seams, wrapped and sealed around all piers, and attached to the foundation walls about 6 inches above outside grade. 

Sealing the crawl space off from the earth's moisture helps to prevent water vapor from the earth from rising into the space and increasing the relative humidity. 

We met this homeowner at a home show, where they asked us to come to inspect their crawl space because they were interested in encapsulating it due to moisture and mildew-mold concerns. This section of the crawl space is under an addition. The vapor barrier is unsealed, allowing moisture to rise from the ground and contribute to high relative humidity. Microbial growth is beginning on the floor joists and the fiberglass insulation is beginning to sag and fall.

The old materials have been removed, vents sealed, and the sill plate and rim band have been sealed as well. The CleanSpace vapor barrier has been installed with all seams overlapped and sealed. The moisture barrier is also run up the walls 6-8 inches above outside grade. The walls are prepped for spray foam insulation to be applied. 

Moisture causes a lot of damage in crawl spaces. It floods in through open vents, rises from the earth, and seeps in through foundation walls raising the relative humidity in the space. This results in damaged insulation, mold and mildew growth, high energy bills, drafts inside the home, cold floors, and homeowners may notice high humidity and musty odors in the home as well. 

We removed the old vapor barrier and debris then sealed the vents, penetrations through the foundation walls to the outside, and the sill plate. Next, a CleanSpace vapor barrier is installed, sealing the crawlspace from the earth. Our technicians then apply closed-cell spray foam to the foundation walls and rim band. Finally, a new crawl space door is installed. 

This Henrico, VA client contacted us because they wanted to address the insulation in their crawl space. Moisture had caused damage to the fiberglass insulation and it was sagging and falling to the ground. The unsealed, vented crawl space was allowing moisture to flood in and cause damage to the insulation as well as mold and mildew growth. 

The homeowner wanted to not only reinsulate the crawl space, but they also didn't want to do it again in a few years. After reviewing their options, they opted to encapsulate the space. The crawl space was cleaned out and treated with an antimicrobial. Then, a new vapor barrier is installed sealing the crawl space off from the earth's moisture. Our team then air seals the space by blocking and sealing all vents and sealing any penetrations through the foundation wall to the outside. 

Next closed-cell spray foam is applied to the foundation walls and rim band. A SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier is installed to control the relative humidity and help prevent future microbial growth. Finally, an interior friction-fit door is installed to air seal and insulate behind the exterior door, and an Everlast exterior crawl space door is installed on the outside.