Open Vents
The open vents in this crawl space are allowing the outside air and moisture to freely enter the crawl space and affect not only the air quality but the relative humidity, as well. The cool, dry air during the winter can cause the floors above to feel cold, causing drafts and impacting the heating bills. During the warmer, wetter seasons, the high relative humidity and warm temperatures can lead to mold growth, as well as condensation and water damage within the crawl space.
Foundation Walls
Efflorescence is visible on these foundation walls, a clear indication of moisture infiltration into the crawl space. This occurs when water seeps through the porous cinderblock walls, bringing the inner salts and sediments to the surface and leaving behind a white powdery/chalky residue as the moisture evaporates into the crawl space. The moisture infiltrating through these foundation walls will elevate the relative humidity in the crawl space and can affect the air quality inside the home.
Vapor Barrier
The current 10-mil vapor barrier within this crawl space was not sealed properly. There are gaps where the liner meets the piers and foundation walls, which allows the earth's moisture to rise into the crawl space and raise the relative humidity. The small gaps also allow small critters and creatures to enter the space, making this damp and dark environment their home.
Installing CleanSpace Light
The old vapor barrier was pulled out of the crawl space and replaced with a 10-mil CleanSpace Light, a durable liner designed to withstand tearing. The CleanSpace is overlapped at all seams and sealed with vinyl tape and gets wrapped and sealed around all piers. It is mechanically fastened to the foundation walls six to eight inches above outside grade. This adds major protection from not only the outside influence but from the moisture rising out of the earth as well.
Insulating Foundation Walls and Vents
A 1½ inch Foamax foamboard has been mechanically fastened to the foundation walls of this crawl space and sealed at all seams. This acts as an air barrier and vapor retarder, giving the crawl space better protection against outside influence. The open vents lining the foundation walls have also been covered, sealed from the inside and sealed with foam. Any gaps, cracks, and openings between the Foamax and the foundation wall are sealed with beads of foam to ensure little air and moisture can seep through to affect the air quality and relative humidity.
