Colorado Crawl Space Before & After Photos

During a real estate transaction - an inspection turns up what needs to be fixed with a property. This crawlspace was affected by a flood caused by a drywall screw in the pumbing in the bathroom above. The existing Radon System was not properly inslalled - the fan was in the crawlsapce (potential for radon to leak from the fan), the liner was sealed over the drywall and studs (trapping moisture and creating conditions conducive to microbial growth/structural damage), and the exteriror Radon vent pipe was only terminated 2' above the ground next to a window (potential for back drafting Radon into the home). We removed the moldy drywall firewall & insulation, cleaned and dried the wooden structural elements, installed a proper Radon/moisture mitigation system - replacing the liner and sealing it to the concrete, moving the fan to the exteriror of the structure, and running the vent stack to terminate above the roof. We replaced the fire wall with 5/8" drywall, closed the vent and air sealed the perimeter rim assembly, and reinsulated the subfloor. We also installed a SmartDrain with a WaterWatch alarm to notify the future homowners of a plumbing leak. We were able to solve all these issues, which allowed the buyer and seller to close on the propery. 

This crawlspace had a sewer back up onto an existing liner. After a hot water extraction & application of a botanical disinfectant we were able to salvage the existing liner and only had to replace a section of liner around the lift station. 

We were originally called out to see if we could just clean up the rodent activity in this crawlspace. After a thorough evaluation we identified a few key factors in fixing this crawlspace up right. 1) The contaminated temporary 6 mil liner had been layered over the earth and not properly sealed around the perimeter walls. 2) the liner had enough maintenance traffic in the past causing small pin holes in the liner, which allows for ground moisture to evaporate into the crawlspace - condensation on the cold walls in the winter - resulting in mold. 3) Small air gaps around the perimeter was allowing for rodents, pests, and cold air into the home - resulting in rodent mess, insects activity, and a high energy bill. After cleaning up the rodent activity & mold, we properly encapsulated the crawlspace and air sealed the perimeter - to help prevent air/rodent intrusion & mold.   

This crawlspace needed all of the rodent contamination removed, horizontal surfaces HEPA vacuumed, & a botanical disinfectant applied. We filled the air gaps around the perimeter rim assembly with a closed cell spray foam with a bitterant agent to help prevent rodent intrusion. Lastly, we installed a moisture barrier sealed around the bottom of the foundation walls and central pier footings to keep moisture where it belongs.  

We identified the cause of microbial growth to the wooden structural elements of this crawlspace to be a plumbing leak that over time, created the perfect conditions conducive to microbial growth. After a thorough evaluation of the subfloor the fiberglass insulation was removed, bagged, and disposed of properly. After using the CO2 cleaning method, we applied an EPA Registered white fungicidal coating to all wooden structural elements to prevent future microbial growth. Once the fungicidal coating was dry, we did a light regrade of the Earth floor in preparation for the CleanSpace Encapsulation System. Next, we rolled out Drainage Matting that allows moisture and air to flow freely underneath the liner as a passive radon system. We then installed 2" foamboard and closed cell spray foam on the perimeter exterior walls and rim assembly to keep the crawlspace insulated. This allows the subfloor to be accessible for plumbing and electrical maintenance. Lastly, we installed the 20 mil, antimicrobial CleanSpace liner over the drainage matting and foundation walls to help prevent moisture, mold, & Radon from re-entering the crawlspace.