Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Case Study in Summerville, SC

Project: Stephen H.

Location:Summerville, SC

Date:March 2011

Standing water in crawl space

Issue:

In early 2011, Stephen purchased a beautiful new home. The home inspector pointed out that the vapor barrier provided by the builder was not sufficient to permanently control crawl space moisture. Also, the steep grade next to the home was causing water intrusion in the crawlspace.

Stephen knew from selling his previous home that moisture issues can be expensive and it's more cost effective to prevent rather than fix crawl space issues. After all, whether its mold remediation, joist replacement, or high energy bills, the cost of doing nothing is usually higher than investing in a crawlspace encapsulation system.

Stephen contacted Crawlspaces Plus for an expert consultation.

Step1: CleanSpace™ with
drainage matting

Solution:

Crawlspaces Plus noted, during its free inspection, that even though the house was less than six months old, traces of mold were already forming due to high humidity. Further, standing water was observed in the crawl space. Crawlspaces Plus remedied the issue by installing a 5/16" CleanSpace™ drainage matting under the patented, 7-ply, CleanSpace™ encapsulation liner. A SmartSump™ sump pump was installed with sock tile for improved water management. All supported by a 25 year warranty against standing water on the liner. The masonry foundation piers and the perimeter walls were wrapped with CleanSpace™ 12 mil liner. To maintain optimal humidity and to filter the crawlspace air, a Sani-Dry™ CSB dehumidifier was included.

Step 2: SaniDry™ dehumidifier
and Smart Sump™ water management system

Results:

The home was isolated from the earth, and water intrusion and moisture issues were brought under control. The reduced relative humidity inside the crawl space eliminated the conditions that support mold growth. Energy savings alone will pay for the improvement, while Stephen can now enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Project Summary

Installing Contractor: Crawlspaces Plus, Summerville, SC

Certified Design Specialist: Brad Gustafson

Products Installed: CleanSpace® liner & drainage system,
SmartSump™, SaniDry™, & Everlast™ Door

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