Before & After Photos

The exterior access to this crawl space was in good shape. However, it was uninsulated and it was not air tight. This means it allowed heat to radiate in and warm humid air to flow into the crawl space. We installed an interior friction fit door behind the access door. The interior door provides an R-10 of insulation and air seals behind the crawl space access. This seals a big hole that adversely impacts the crawl space otherwise. 

These homeowners in Chesapeake, Virginia needed help sealing and insulating their crawl space. These pictures show a before and after of installing CleanSpace, a heavy-duty vapor barrier that helps protect the crawl space from moisture rising from the earth. It is wrapped around all crawl space piers and is mechanically fastened 6-8 inches above outside grade. An antimicrobial called UltraFresh is made into the material of this 7-layer polyethylene liner to help protect it from mold and mildew growth. 

These homeowners in Virginia Beach wanted to replace their existing crawl space access well, which was full of dirt and rocks and was allowing outside air and moisture to leak into the crawl space where the well meets the crawl space door.

Our solution was to install The Turtl crawl space access system, designed for below-grade crawl space access. The Turtle provides a clean and convenient access to the crawl space while keeping debris like leaves and rocks out of the way. This durable and lockable access door is made from rigid plastic, which will not rot, rust, corrode, or require new paint and is weathertight.

The foundation walls of this crawl space are made with porous bricks, which are allowing the outside air and moisture to seep through, affecting the relative humidity. An increase in relative humidity can lead to mold growth, water puddles, and weakened structure due to moisture damage. Efflorescence is visible on the walls in multiple places, which occurs when moisture infiltrating through the walls pulls the salts and sediments from within the blocks to the surface, leaving behind a chalky, powdery substance.

Closed-cell spray foam was applied to the foundation walls, which at 1½ inches thick, acts as an air barrier and moisture retarder, protecting the crawl space from the outside influence coming through the walls. All cracks and corners are sealed, and any open vents lining the foundation walls are covered with precisely cut foam board pieces and sealed over with foam.

Open vents on the foundation walls are quite common in Virginian crawl spaces, but they are only good for letting air and moisture easily enter the crawl space. Any moisture that finds its way through these vents becomes trapped in the crawl space, increasing the relative humidity and potentially leading to mold and mildew growth, water damage, and weakened structures or materials.

Before we use spray foam or foam board to insulate the foundation walls, we cover the interior of the open vents. Precisely cut foamboard pieces are made and fitted into the inside of the vents. Then we seal any cracks or openings with can foam.