Crawl Space Encapsulation Photo Album: Dirty & Wet Crawl Space Gets an Upgrade in Toms River, NJ
Quite a Moisture Problem
Immediately, we knew this crawl space had a moisture problem. Dirt floor crawl spaces attract and absorb moisture and once the dirt dries, it causes humidity levels to rise and can lead to mold and mildew.
Rust
The homeowner mentioned that he was using the crawl space for storage and very rarely goes down there. Luckily, no mold had developed, but all the metal materials were rusted and couldn't be salvaged.
First the Drainage Matt
We cleared all the debris, leveled the grounds for proper draining, and installed a drainage matting. This dimpled plastic mat material allows the water to work its way over to the sump pump.
The Vapor Barrier
Next, we installed a vapor barrier which is a 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high and low-density polyethylene with a polyester-cord reinforcement.
Treated to Prevent Mold
The vapor barrier is also treated with an antimicrobial to prevent mold and is installed over the foundation walls and floor to create a continuous air and moisture barrier.
Connected to the Sump Pump
Lastly, we installed a Sani-Dry Sedona dehumidifier to control the humidity levels in the basement. The Sedona directs the extracted water pulled out of the air directly into the sump pump.