Before & After Photos

The open vents allow moisture and outside air into the crawl space. This makes it extremely difficult to control the overall relative humidity underneath a home. The dry winter air entering the vents will cause the floors above to feel cold and drafts, as well as raising the energy costs to keep the house comfortable. And in the summer, the wet, hot air will carry moisture into the crawl space, raising the relative humidity and allowing mold and mildew to thrive.

The foundation walls of this crawl space have been sprayed over, using a closed-cell spray foam that provides not only insulation but blockage from outside air moisture, while the open vents were sealed with foam board and covered in the same closed-cell spray foam. When closed-cell spray is applied at 1.5” thickness, it acts as an air barrier and vapor retarder. Sealing off the outside air and moisture provides the homeowner with more control over the relative humidity in the crawl space.

The insulation in this crawl space beginning to pull apart and fall to the floor. Fiberglass insulation is not meant to hold moisture, and it loses its value when it becomes damp. Water droplets displace the air in the spaces between the glass fibers, reducing the material's thermal abilities. The wet insulation fibers pull apart and the added weight of moisture causes it to sag and even fall to the crawl space floor, rendering it useless.

Most crawl spaces in our area, like this Chester, VA home have fiberglass insulation between the floor joists. However, this is not an effective solution in our area due to high humidity and warm temperatures over half of the year resulting in high relative humidity, falling insulation, and microbial growth. So instead, the foundation walls were insulated using closed-cell spray foam which acts as an air barrier and vapor retarder, while the home was sealed from the earth’s moisture with CleanSpace, a heavy-duty vapor barrier. The foundation vents were sealed with Foamax foam board and covered over with closed-cell spray foam. Not only does all this protect the crawl space from moisture, with the addition of a dehumidifier it helps control the relative humidity, improves air quality, and reduces energy bills.

This Bruington, VA client contacted us about repairing moisture damage in their crawl space. Moisture had caused mold and mildew growth, was absorbed in the insulation which held it against the floor joists, the material began to delaminate and fall away from the floor. 

All debris and insulation was removed from the crawl space, microbial growth was treated, the vents, sill plate, & rim band were sealed, the foundation walls were insulated with closed cell spray foam insulation and a dehumidifier was installed to control the relative humidity. The homeowners no longer need to worry about moisture damage in their crawl space and have the added benefit of warmer floors in the winter and reduced drafts in the home. 

Utility lines in a vented crawl space are often affected by outside air carrying in moisture. Sealing vents, installing the CleanSpace Encapsulation System and insulating the crawl space walls with Spray Foam will help control the flow of air carrying moisture into the crawl space. 

As the insulation acts as a sponge, it holds moisture against the wood joists raising the moisture content of the joists. Mold requires organic material, warm temperatures, and relative humidity above 60% to grow. Often we see mold growing on the paper backing of the insulation and on wood joists in the crawl space. As the moisture content in the joists increases, the probability for wood rot becomes more likely. Once the joists reach 19% moisture wood rot begins. An antimicrobial called Shockwave is sprayed onto the joists to kill the mold. Once the encapsulation is complete and the dehumidifier is installed it will be set to turn on before the humidity in the crawl space reaches 60% (The ideal point for mold to grow). The Encapsulation system will help prevent ideal conditions for mold to grow from occurring and make the home healthier and more comfortable.