Basement Waterproofing Case Studies: Easley, SC Crawlspace in Desperate Need of a Solution

Sunday, August 18th, 2019 by Shawn Anderson

Challenge

Many crawlspaces will endure what this Easley, South Carolina crawlspace has endured. Moisture can destroy the best and worst crawlspaces around. Just judging by these photos here, we can tell that this crawlspace has been put through the ringer.

Mold dots the wooden beams supporting the crawlspace ceiling. Insulation is falling down by the bucket full, filled to the brim with water. A thick paste of efflorescence smothers much of the walls in white. The liner itself is lifted and torn in so many places that it’s—quite obviously—not doing its job. The humidity level in the crawlspace is through the roof, leading to problems deeper into the home. Altogether, it’s a tricky situation and a hard place to be. The good thing is that this situation is far from hopeless. It looks terrible, and the problems are severe, but there’s definitely a way to come back from this.

Solution

The solution began with a few products recommended by Design Specialist Jonathan Geddie. Before the official install began, however, we needed to tear down all of that useless insulation and remove the scattered debris. To take care of the mold problem, our crew applied our Mold-X Cleaner to the infected surfaces. They covered all vents in the crawlspace and replaced the faulty crawlspace door with an EverLast Door designed to keep out moisture.

Product installation came next. Once the space had been cleared of all things, our guys set to work installing Drainage Matting. Over that they spread out the CleanSpace liner and tailored it exactly to the crawlspace. This included pulling it up at least three inches along the wall and wrapping all piers in the material. The CleanSpace is then sealed using several methods designed to keep it in place. While they’re doing this, they’ve already started on the SmartSump installation. A hole is dug at least 22 inches for the sump pump. It’s placed inside and the lead is placed so that it’s closed around the CleanSpace. Lastly, an Aprilaire 1820 dehumidifier is installed. It takes in the moisture from the air, and returns it dry.

These products each provide an essential element in the encapsulation. And the encapsulation—if installed correctly—is a guarantee for a moisture free crawlspace.

Project Summary

Dehumidifier: Aprilaire 1850

Design Specialist: Jonathan Geddie

Sump pump: SmartSump

Plastic liner: CleanSpace

Foreman: Ray Petry

This close-up reveals the deteriorated state of the insulation. Not only is it hanging limply like cobwebs, but it is dotted with droplets of water. Among a few other things, water is fiberglass insulation's kryptonite.

The walls in this image are washed in efflorescence. It's clear by this photo alone that water easily creeps into the crawlspace walls.

The liner is trying its best, but its best just isn't good enough. The black liner is almost creme with dust, dirt, and water residue. The way that it is laying so haphazardly, wrinkles in abundance, makes it obvious that it is not a real barrier. It's been compromised.

This is one of the more frightening pictures in the bunch. What we have here are a few unprotected cords. What's scary is that they are readily exposed to potential hazards. They can be nicked by a rock or tripped over. Either way, they are in a bad place.

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Basement Waterproofing Case Studies: Easley, SC Crawlspace in Desperate Need of a Solution

Challenge

Solution

Project Summary

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