Crawl Space Repair Case Studies: Crawl Space with Severe Moisture Damage in Jacksonville, NC

Challenge

When looking for a crawl space repair specialist, this Jacksonville, NC homeowner scheduled a free estimate with our office. Our crawl space expert Jeff M was scheduled to assess the space and offer a solution for a permanent repair. After assessing the space, Jeff determined that the crawl space did not have a proper vapor barrier and was not insulated. The crawl space floor had puddles of water, the humidity levels were high, and the wood floor joists were rotting due to moisture intrusion. Moisture soaked into the subfloor above their crawl space, causing the floor to be unstable and uneven. Based on Jeff's thorough inspection, he made an expert recommendation. Upon seeing the damage moisture had caused, the customer was unsure of what to do. After speaking with Jeff about their options, they felt confident that Southeast Foundation and Crawl Space Repair would get the job done right.

Solution

This repair required the removal and replacement of the kitchen subfloor and water damaged floor joists as a first step. Moisture can quickly grow mold.We needed to make sure that the new subfloor was installed correctly to prevent further water damage. We also tested the area for mold growth and took steps to prevent it from occurring in the future.Having installed the new floor joists and subfloor, the crew moved downstairs to clear damp debris. As a first step in crawl space encapsulation, high-quality spray insulation foam and board was used to seal the open vents in the crawl space as well as any penetrations that would allow outside elements to seep into the crawl space. A crawl space vapor barrier is an excellent way to keep water and moisture out of your crawl space. However, it's also imperative to drain flooded water that collects underneath. To do this, we placed our Drainage Matting on the crawl space floor. CleanSpace Crawl Space Drainage Matting improves drainage when placed under the CleanSpace vapor barrier. The dimpled surface helps carry water to the perimeter drainage or sump pump located in the lowest area of the crawl space. CleanSpace drainage matting also softens the floor and increases encapsulation system durability.Once placed, foreman Austin H., and his crew installed the SmartPipe Perimeter Drainage System to capture water seepage from the crawl space walls and floor. Through the drainage pipe, water is directed to a sump pump specifically designed for crawl spaces, called a SmartSump Pump.

The crew then covered the crawl space floor and walls with a heavy-duty CleanSpace vapor barrier. CleanSpace is a 20-mil reinforced polymer liner backed by a 25-year warranty against rips and tears. When installed as part of a complete crawl space encapsulation system, CleanSpace provides a dry, healthy crawl space that can be safely used for storage. By adding a vapor barrier to the homeowner's crawl space, it prevents mold growth, wood rot, and pest infestations. Controlling the crawl space's humidity helps prevent mold growth, musty odors, wood rot, and pest infestations. The SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier was installed to dry the damp air in the crawl space and to automatically drain into the sump pump for removal. The Sedona was designed to maintain a healthy and ideal humidity level.

After the crawl space encapsulation system was installed, the crew fixed the customer's sagging floors. The existing floor joists were sistered and the floors were raised using our SmartJack Crawl Space Support System. This crawl space support system is made of strong, corrosion-resistant galvanized steel. This ensures it will not rust or be damaged. The SmartJack posts are mounted on sturdy bases that prevent the posts from settling further. Most importantly, they are easily adjustable should the homeowner ever need to change their height. SmartJacks are completely compatible with our crawl space encapsulation system.

The homeowner was very satisfied with the outcome and confident that their crawl space was safe and secure.