Crawl Space Repair Before & After Photos

The ground cover in this crawl space was a 6-mil, a similar thickness to a trash bag, it is easily ripped and displaced. Because it is unsealed and has tears, the 6-mil ground cover allows moisture from the earth to affect the crawl space raising the relative humidity, damaging insulation, and causing microbial growth. 

After removing the 6-mil, we installed a 20-mil heavy-duty vapor barrier called CleanSpace, and is similar to the thickness of a pool liner. CleanSpace has a built-in Antimicrobial called UltraFresh. When we install the vapor barrier, we overlap and seal all seams, seal the liner to the walls 6-8 inches above outside grade, and wrap and seal all piers. By sealing the CleanSpace at all of these points, we are able to isolate the crawl space from the earth's moisture. 

Moisture has been wreaking havoc in this crawl space. Mold and mildew are growing on the floor joists and the insulation has fallen and is damaged from the moisture. Efflorescence and staining on the foundation walls tell us that moisture is not only entering through the open vents but also through the block walls.

The homeowner wants to seal and insulate the crawl space to prevent future moisture damage and microbial growth. We began by treating the mold and mildew growth with shockwave, and antimicrobial that kills the microbial growth. Then we set to cleaning the space out then sealing all vents, penetrations to outside through the foundation walls, and the sill plate. CleanSpace Vapor barrier is installed, wrapped and sealed around all piers, attached to the foundation walls, and sealed at all seams. Finally, the rim band is insulated and foam board insulation is installed on the foundation walls and sealed at all seams. A dehumidifier is installed to control the relative humidity and help prevent future microbial growth. 

This homeowner had concerns about water entering their crawl space. At our inspection one of the concerns, we found that the existing vapor barrier was not sealed, allowing moisture in. As part of the solution, we installed a 20mil Heavy-duty, Vapor Barrier with UltraFresh Antimicrobial built-in, called CleanSpace. We ran it up the walls sealing it and leaving a 2" viewing strip for a termite inspection and sealed and wrapped all the piers. 

Before: The foundation walls of this crawl space are created with porous cinderblocks, meaning they let water vapor seep through. Without proper encapsulation, the relative humidity is out of the homeowner’s control. During the wetter seasons, the ground outside the home is soaked with water each time it rains and eventually the moisture will find its way through these porous foundation walls, causing the relative humidity in the crawl space to rise with the temperature. 

After: The foundation walls of the crawl space in this picture have been covered and sealed with closed-cell spray foam. The moisture is no longer able to access the crawl space through the walls due to the foam sealing over the vapor barrier. The closed-cell foam becomes an air barrier and vapor retarder if sprayed to 1.5” or more. This solution will assist in keeping the relative humidity under control by blocking water vapor from the ground outside to enter, stopping mold or mildew from growing on any organic materials by cutting out the moisture they need to thrive. 

This Lancaster, VA homeowner has several improvements happening in their crawl space. Installing a new CleanSpace Vapor Barrier (aka moisture barrier or crawl space liner) is just one piece of that, but a very importiant one. 

This 7 ply, poly string-reinforced vapor barrier is combined with a 4-inch wide liner tape that seals the crawl space off from the earth's moisture. The product is durable enough to withstand servicepersons crawling around in your crawl space without worry of it becoming detached or torn.