Sealing Foundation Walls in North Chesterfield, VA

Before: The foundation walls of this crawl space are covered in efflorescence, which indicates that water infiltration has been present for this home. Efflorescence occurs when water from the outside seeps through these porous cinderblock walls, bringing all the inner salt and sediment of the blocks to the surface and leaving these stains and marks upon the walls. The water that finds its way into the crawl space can elevate the relative humidity, leading to wood rot, mold and mildew growth, and material damage.

After: The crawl space walls have now been insulated and sealed with Foamax foam board pieces. These 1½ inch boards act as air barriers and vapor retarders, protecting the crawl space from outside influence. They are mechanically fastened to the walls, while the cracks are sealed with can foam. A 2-inch viewing strip is left on the top for termite inspectors, and the bottom is attached to the 20-mil CleanSpace vapor barrier. The crawl space is much more protected from outside air and moisture.