Colorado Crawl Space Before & After Photos

We cleaned out the construction debris & excavated earth as necessary to install drainage matting and our sealed CleanSpace Crawlspace Encapsulation System. The next step is to have the lowest living space of the home tested for Radon - If it tests high we can install a fan and stack to expel the Radon past the roofline into the atmosphere. We recommend testing for Radon at least every 2 years.  

We were called in to help after this home experienced a large water loss. We had to remove the wet insulation from the subfloor & perimeter exterior walls, which also had rodent contamination. With the wooden structural elements exposed we could remediate the visible mold & set up drying equipment to dry the wood to less than 15% moisture content (MC). Then we installed a sealed 20 mil CleanSpace encapsulation system over the earth and walls. Next, we air sealed the perimeter rim assembly to help keep out cold air & pests. Lastly, we reinsulated the subfloor and perimeter foundation walls to help save energy and provide comfort to the floors above. 

Most times when a home is built on the side of a mountain with elevation change - the foundation wall has a "Step Down" where there is no footing. Over time this allows an entry point for water intrusion causing erosion of the surrounding earth into the crawl space. This particular crawl space had both moisture intrusion and soil erosion which caused some structural damage to the stud wall in contact with the damp earth - which was replaced. We excavated a 30' trench from the step down and downhill 30' away from the structure to divert groundwater with a gravity-fed drain instead of installing a sump pump. After encapsulation this crawl space is in good shape! 

This dirty crawlspace needed a complete makeover. This is the main reason for doing the crawlspace right the first time! A cheap solution to crawlspace problems is not cost effective when we have to tear everything out a few years later in order to remediate mold and rodent infestation. To effectively control the ground water we installed a drainage system to a new airtight SmartSump Pump System to discharge water 10' past the foundation on the exterior. Secondly, we installed drainage matting under our 20 mil cord reinforced CleanSpace Crawlspace Encapsulation System & properly fastened and sealed it around the perimeter and central footings. Lastly, we stuffed copper wire mesh and air sealed the perimeter rim assembly and subfloor penetrations and reinsulated the subfloor for protection against rodent intrusion and heat loss prevention. This would have been a lot easier if it was done right during construction, but now the homeowners rest assured their home is protected from the ground up! 

This crawlspace had the typical negative effects of groundwater seepage: Mold, Odor, Settling, Pest Contamination, Cold Floors. We performed thorough remediation, Installed a SmartSump to discharge groundwater, installed a smartjack to level the floors above, Did a full CleanSpace crawlspace encapsulation System, & replaced insulation. Now this crawlspace is clean, dry, warm, & even smells good!