Crawl Space Waterproofing

Waterproof Your Crawl Space

Do you suspect you have a moisture problem in your crawl space? Excessive moisture can lead to wood rot, structural damage, mold growth, bad indoor air quality, musty smells, and negative impacts on your health. In addition, most homes on Delmarva have vented crawl spaces which are not ideal for this area and prone to high humidity. Without proper moisture controls, these problems won’t self-correct but only get worse. One of the things to keep in mind is that a large portion of the air that enters your home passes through the crawl space via the “stack effect.” Therefore, if the air quality in your crawl space is bad it’s entering your living space as well.

Crawl space waterproofing involves keeping the area under your home dry from water intrusion and humidity. This process is a key component for maintaining a healthy home and helps prevent mold and expensive home repairs in the future.

Common Ways to Spot Crawl Space Moisture Problems

• Mold or moisture damage in the crawl space or living area
• Musty odors or high humidity in the living area
• Fiberglass insulation falling down from the subfloor
• Condensation on HVAC ductwork or equipment
• Buckled hardwood floors
• Insect infestations
• Wood rot in framing members

How Does Water Enter Your Crawl Space?

• Vented Crawl Spaces – Open or vented crawl spaces are failed technology and have proven to be a bad solution for homes on Delmarva. Having excess humidity entering the crawl space year-round will cause mold and other related moisture problems in your home.
• Surface water penetration – Surface-water penetration is a common way for water to enter the home. Large amounts of water running down the roof or poor yard grading causes water to pool around the foundation. Water finds its way into your home through any weak points in the foundation when it begins to pool around your property.
• Groundwater penetration – Groundwater penetration occurs when moisture levels in the soil around your property begin to rise, leaving surplus water nowhere to go. This type of water can saturate the soil and, in the worst-case scenario, create standing water in the crawl space.
• Plumbing leaks – Cracks in pipes or water lines can quickly flood the crawl space and cause moisture-related problems throughout the home.
• Dirt Crawl Space – Exposed dirt floors in the crawl space will most definitely invite moisture problems into your home.  Without a vapor barrier, moisture will rise from the ground and cause moisture-related problems under and in your home.

How Do I Dry Out My Crawl Space?

If you want to permanently resolve moisture issues in your crawl space, you must address the source of the water. Most of the locations we serve on Delmarva are very flat. There is little that can be done to prevent water from gathering in the crawl space when a house is built on a flat or negatively graded property. Ground saturation is the source of this water. When the ground becomes extremely moist, water migrates under the footing and into the crawl space’s interior. This is where crawl space waterproofing is essential to correct the problem.

How Is a Crawl Space Waterproofed?

1. A drainage trench is dug on the interior of the crawl space, usually around the perimeter foundation wall.
2. A specialized drainage pipe is installed in the trench along with a sump basin and sump pump to quickly remove any water entering the crawl space.
3. A vapor barrier is installed to prevent ground moisture into the crawl space.
4. All foundation vents are sealed to prevent outside air from entering the crawl space.
5. A dehumidifier is installed to maintain humidity levels at or below 60%. This will keep the crawl space dry and prevent future mold growth.

Benefits of Waterproofing Your Crawl Space

• Stops moisture from entering your home
• Prevents structural damage and sagging floors
• Stops crawl space flooding
• Prevents microbial growth
• No more musty smells in your home

With Guardian, you can achieve the dry crawl space your home needs. Contact our waterproofing team to schedule a FREE inspection!