Crawl Space Moisture Remediation

Until recently, there really was only one way to seal a dirt crawl space, and that was by pouring a concrete floor. This method was expensive because of the difficulty of pouring concrete under a home that was already built. It also wasn't a very good solution to the problems caused by dirt crawl spaces because pouring a concrete floor doesn't address moisture problems caused by the walls, which often leak and seep water. In addition, poured concrete can crack due to the expansion and contraction that occurs during seasonal changes.

Another ineffective approach to the problem of damp crawl spaces is the addition of vents. The idea behind adding crawl space vents is that the vents will allow the moisture to dissipate. The problem is, adding vents don't work because of the "stack effect." In fact, vents only make the problem worse! Hard to believe? Let us explain.

A house is something like a chimney. It's natural tendency is to draw air up from the bottom and throughout the house. In a house with a dirt crawl space, most of the moisture (along with mold, fungi, and other allergens) is sucked up from the dirt itself; and the stack effect causes this moisture — along with odors, allergens, and millions of spores — to be drawn up into the living space of the home.

The end result? Installing crawl space vents can actually make a home more damp and dangerous than it was before the vents were installed.

The CleanSpace™ Solution

Luckily, modern building science has resulted in a new, better, more economical solution to the problems caused by dirty, damp, leaky crawl spaces: The CleanSpace™ system.

The CleanSpace™ system stops moisture before it gets into your home by sealing the crawl space using a patented, 20-mil thick liner made of seven layers of polyethylene and reinforced polyester. This tough, moisture-proof material stops moisture from seeping up from the ground and in through the walls of your crawl space, drastically reducing or eliminating mold, fungus, and other moisture-related problems.

In addition, the shiny white liner material brightens up your crawl space and is strong enough to allow you to use it for storage without worrying about tearing holes in it.

Sealing Water Out of your Crawl Space

The CleanSpace™ solution begins with a careful assessment of your crawl space by a certified provider to determine the best approach to correcting your particular crawl space problems. Depending on your situation, the total solution may include:

Removal of Organic Debris

Every CleanSpace™ installation begins with the meticulous removal of wood scraps and other organic debris from the floor of the crawl space.

Organic debris contributes to a wide variety of potentially unhealthful conditions (such as mold, mildew, fungus, and pest problems) and must be removed prior to installing the system.

Correction of Standing Water and Drainage Problems

In some homes, problems with standing water must be corrected before encapsulation can be performed. The total solution to your crawl space problem may include a variety of drainage improvement techniques including our patented SuperSump™ air-tight sump pump, and/or our patented SmartDrain™ system. Please note that not every home will need extensive drainage correction. Every situation is evaluated independently, and we will never try to sell you work that you don't need.

Installation of the CleanSpace™ Vapor Barrier

The CleanSpace™ Vapor Barrier is an advanced plastic liner (like a pool liner) that consists of a 20-mil thick, seven-layer sandwich of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene. reinforced with polyester cord for strength and durability. This advanced liner is permanently installed over the floor and walls of your crawl space, and carefully caulked and sealed around beams, pipes, wires, or other protrusions or obstructions

Sealing and Vent Covering

Once upon a time, builders believed that installing vents in crawl spaces would channel moisture out of crawl spaces. We now know that was wrong. Modern building science has shown us that crawl space vents waste energy and can actually increase relative humidity by causing condensation around pipes and HVAC ducts. So every CleanSpace™ installation includes thoroughly sealing your crawl space, including sealing old-fashioned vents.

Installing a Dehumidifier

Some crawl spaces need a little extra help to stay dry, and we've got the perfect solution: The SaniDry series of crawl space dehumidifiers. SaniDry dehumidifiers are the most advanced, most reliable dehumidifiers available today, with state-of-the-art features like automatic draining and ductable installation. For more information about the Sani-Dry line, please click here. (Note: Not all crawl spaces need a dehumidifier. Often, the CleanSpace system alone will provide sufficient drying.)

The Result:

Once your CleanSpace™ system is installed, you can expect a dry, clean crawl space that will help save energy dollars, and help prevent mold, mildew, and fungi from harming your health or damaging you home or stored possessions.

Propping Up a Sagging Floor

Another service we perform while we're in your crawl is to prop up sagging floors and beams, if needed. Over time, excessive moisture can weaken structural wood and cause your floor to sag, squeak, and droop. Footings can also settle and become weakened as moisture erodes the soil from under and around them, causing beams to sag.

We use the exclusive SmartJack to prop up sagging beams. Each SmartJack can support up to 36,000 pounds, and can be easily adjusted if future settling occurs. Please click here for more information.

Thanks for visiting our site and for learning about the CleanSpace™ Crawl Space Encapsulation System.

If you want to learn even more about how the CleanSpace™ system can help protect your health and your investment, please click here to check out our videos, or contact us to arrange for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your crawl space. We service all five boroughs of NYC as well as Nassau County and Western Suffolk County on Long island, and Union, Middlesex, and Hudson Counties in NJ.