Sealed Crawl Space with Foundation Drainage in Gloucester, VA

Challenge

This homeowner reached out to us because they had concerns about water seeping into their crawl space. At our inspection, we found that there was a significant amount of water in the crawl space and that microbial growth had begun. The fiberglass batts in the floors were holding moisture against the floor joists, as they became heavier, the insulation delaminated and began to fall. The moisture is held against the floor joists, promoting microbial growth, and if gone untreated, could lead to wood rot. The 6mil ground cover was damaged, missing in some places, and did little to prevent moisture from the earth from entering the crawl space. 

Solution

The proposed solution to address the water infiltration, falling insulation, and microbial growth, consisted of removing any damaged or mildewed materials and treat the joists with an antimicrobial to kill the microbial growth. Then we would install the drainage system with SuperSump and CleanSpace vapor barrier. Then we would recommend insulating from the crawl space walls with either spray foam or foam board insulation and installing a dehumidifier to control the relative humidity. 

However, at the time, this homeowner opted to remove the old 6mil vapor barrier and debris, install interior foundation lines to the SuperSump, a 1/2 hp pump with a basin and liner. The pump will drain to a designated spot on the homeowner's property. We then sealed all vents and installed the CleanSpace Vapor Barrier, a 20mil liner, similar to a pool liner, and sealed it to the walls and around all the piers. In this case, the homeowner chose to keep the fiberglass insulation in the floor and not to treat the microbial growth, or to install a dehumidifier.

The homeowner's main concern was addressing the water issues under their home more so than treating and preventing microbial growth. By installing the drainage system with a sump pump, and a 20-mil vapor barrier sealed to the walls and piers, we are able to direct any groundwater or water that comes through the block wall, below the liner, and into the drainage system.