Crawl Space Repair Before & After Photos

The old vapor barrier in this crawl space was not effective. It was loose and unfastened to the walls or wrapped around piers and did not protect the crawl space from the earth's moisture. The vapor barrier was replaced with the CleanSpace Encapsulation System. CleanSpace is a 20mil vapor barrier with UltraFresh antimicrobial built-in. It is durable for service persons to crawl on without worry of tearing. CleanSpace is wrapped around and sealed to all piers and sealed to the crawl space walls 6-8 inches above outside grade. 

This home had water seeping into its crawl space. The high humidity and warm temperatures in our area result in microbial growth on joists, falling insulation, cold floors, and poor indoor air quality in many crawl spaces and homes. To repair this crawl space, we cleaned it out, treated the joists with an antimicrobial, installed a drainage system and sump pump, laid down and sealed a 20mil vapor barrier to the walls, piers, and floor, and insulated the walls with spray foam. 

Efflorescence on the walls and moisture stains on the block indicates that moisture has been working its way into this crawl space through the cinderblock foundation. 

As part of the encapsulation, Foamax foam board insulation has been installed on the walls of this crawl space creating a continuous R-10 of insulation on the foundation walls. A 2-inch viewing strip has been left at the top of the foundation wall per VA building code for termite inspections. The foam board is mechanically fastened to the wall and sealed at seams with foam. 

The existing 6-mil vapor barrier in the crawl space does not fully cover the ground and is allowing moisture from the earth to rise into the crawl space. This is a concern because it raises the relative humidity (RH). When the RH is above 60% and there are warm temperatures, mold and mildew can begin to grow on the organic materials under the home including the wood floor joists. 

As part of an encapsulation system, we installed a 20-mil vapor barrier called CleanSpace. The heavy-duty vapor barrier is attached to the crawl space walls 6-8 inches above outside grade, wrapped around all piers, and sealed at all seams, sealing the crawl space off from the earth's moisture. CleanSpace is more durable than the previously installed 6-mil, which is about as thick as a trash bag, withstanding service persons crawling and working in the space. 

Open vents allow the outside into your crawl space. In the winter cold air is pouring into the crawl space, and in the summer hot and humid air floods in. The disheveled and damaged 6-mil vapor barrier has been allowing moisture from the earth to rise into the crawl space. Staining and efflorescence on the foundation walls indicate that moisture has been traveling through the porous cinderblock. The excess moisture in the crawl space has allowed mold to begin to grow on the floor joists. 

As part of the encapsulation system, we installed CleanSpace Vapor Barrier sealing the crawl space off from the earth's moisture. We sealed all vents and insulated the crawl space walls with a continuous R-10 of rigid foam insulation. Preventing outside moisture from entering the crawl space is a big step in controlling the environment. We also installed a dehumidifier to help control the relative humidity in the space and prevent future mold and mildew growth.