Crawl Space Repair Photo Album: Sealing a Crawlspace and Supporting a Foundation Wall
This home in Albers, IL. had a section of the home that sat over a basement and a section of the home that sat over a crawlspace. Both of these areas can present unique challenges for waterproofing a home.
The crawlspace had a dirt floor that allowed water vapor to rise up into the underside of the home where it could weaken the wooden floor joists and feed mold throughout the home. The basement walls had cracks that allowed water to leak in through the wall where it could collect on the floor and cause damage or evaporate into the air and make the basement feel damp and uncomfortable.
To fix this, foreman Dave G. started by incapsulating the crawlspace with CleanSpace™ liner. CleanSpace™ is a super durable and mold resistant waterproofing liner that covers the floor and most of the walls of the crawlspace to prevent any water or water vapor from entering the area. With CleanSpace™ installed, the crawlspace would be kept dry and protected from potential water leaks that come from below ground.
To fix the leaky walls in the basement, Dave G. and his crew installed wall anchors. Wall anchors support the wall by tightening a plate on the inside of the wall onto a steel rod that reaches out to an anchor plate buried outside in the compact soil. The wall anchor system will permanently support the wall by pulling against the pressures from the outside soil. By supporting the wall, the cracks could be properly sealed and a perimeter drainage system could be installed to collect water both from leaks in the wall and from beneath the floor.
These waterproofing systems were then tied in to the sump pump system which would force the water out of the home. This sump pump system featured a main pump to do most of the work and a second, battery powered pump to help the first one or work on its own when the power goes out.
With these waterproofing systems in place, the crawlspace and the basement will both be kept dry and protected and the basement walls will be permanently supported and strengthened.
Leaking Crawlspace Area
This crawlspace had dirt floors that would allow water to build up and eventually evaporate into the home, causing damage to wood and insulation above it.
Incapsulated and Insulated
Once the crawlspace is incapsulated with CleanSpace™ it can also be insulated. Water vapor would usually ruin insulation, but CleanSpace™ will keep it dry.
Dirt Floor Crawlspace
This dirt floor had tarps thrown over to cover it and help prevent water vapor from rising into the home. Tarps are not effective though, as they have gaps and can often bunch up, leaving large patches of dirt exposed.
Dirt Floor No Longer
CleanSpace™ can be permanently fixed in place, so there are no gaps left open and no seams for water vapor to enter the basement.
Wall Anchors
These metal plates are the interior portion of the wall anchor system. By tightening them on the steel rod, the wall can be supported and even straightened back to its original position.
Sump Pump
This sump pump will collect water from the drainage system and remove it from the home. It also features a battery powered backup pump to keep it operating when the power goes out.
