Crawl Space Repair Photo Album: From Gross to Great in a Belleville Crawlspace

Many homes have a dirt crawlspace beneath at least part of the home. This crawlspace is usually ignored by the homeowner, but ignoring a dirt crawlspace can be harmful to the health of the home.    This crawlspace in Belleville, IL. was a dirty mess that acted as a haven for mold, pests and water - all of which is harmful to the home. The dirt floor offers easy access for things like insects and rodents, who use the wood and insulation to make their homes. Dirt floors also offer no resistance to water and water vapor that might rise from beneath the floor and damage the underside of the home. This water can also feed mold growth, allowing dangerous fungi to grow quickly across the crawlspace.   Fortunately, Woods Basement Systems has the cure to dirt crawlspace problems. The solution is to turn the crawlspace into a CleanSpace™. CleanSpace™ is a total incapsulation system that will seal out mold, pests and water and protect the crawlspace from their damaging effects.    After all the clutter from the crawlspace was removed, foreman Jesse C. began by installing a pad across the floor of the crawlspace. This pad would support people or objects moving across the crawlspace without blocking the flow of water beneath the top of the pads. The floor was also slopped toward a sump pit, causing all the water that might flow beneath the pads to be directed to a single point so it could be pumped out of the home. Once the pads were installed, Jesse C. installed the CleanSpace™ vapor barrier. CleanSpace™ is a tear-proof liner that totally blocks water and water vapor from entering the home. The lining is also mold-resistant so it will block mold spores and prevent mold growth along its surface.    Now that the crawlspace was incapsulated, a new sump pump was installed to remove any water that might build up beneath the CleanSpace™ surface. A Sedona dehumidifier was also installed to remove water vapor from the air. The Sedona will drain the moisture it collects from the air directly into the sump pump, so there's no emptying buckets and no shutting off because of full collection buckets.   The sump pump system and Sedona dehumidifier will keep the crawlspace dry and protected with the help of the CleanSpace™ liner. To take full advantage of the newly protected crawlspace, spray foam insulation was installed in the gaps between the floor joists along the outer wall. This would prevent hot summer air or cold winter air from entering the crawlspace and heating or cooling the floors of the home above. By insulating the crawlspace, the home will become more energy efficient as well as it won't have to deal with the uninsulated crawlspace.   This messy crawlspace from Belleville, IL. went from a liability to a home improvement thanks to the CleanSpace™ system. The floors of the home are protected from mold and pests and the entire crawlspace is drier and more energy efficient as well.