Safe and Sound in Huntsville, AL

Water in a crawl space causes all kinds of problems for a home such as mold growth or bouncy floors. This was the concern of one homeowner in Huntsville who called on AFS to protect their crawl space from moisture.

Background

One of our Certified Field Inspectors, Dustin Loeb, went out to inspect the property. Based on his findings, the installation crew placed drainage inside the crawl space to control the flow of groundwater and installed a 3,000 square foot vapor barrier to block outdoor moisture.

The Problem

Dustin found groundwater collecting below the home and noticed general signs of moisture throughout the crawl space.

Challenges

Moisture in the Crawl Space

As you can see in the image, the crawl space had an ineffective vapor barrier loosely sitting on the floor. There was no protection from moisture along the walls. Since this vapor barrier wasn’t providing much attention, there was a high amount of moisture in the crawl space—creating a damp and uncomfortable area.

Crawl Space Drainage Problem

This image makes it clear that the crawl space had a lack of drainage. As a result, it was easy for groundwater to collect under the dirt floor of the crawl space (especially after a storm) and contribute to the damp environment below the home.

The Solution

• Crawl space drainage
• 120-mil vapor barrier
• Sump pump

Repair Process

Crawl Space Drainage

First and foremost, our installation crew lined the crawl space with effective drainage. In the image, you can see how the drainage travels along the perimeter of the crawl space. This is where groundwater most often gets into the crawl space, so adding drainage here will help control the flow of groundwater away from the crawl space.

Sump Pump

Alongside the drainage system, our team also installed a sump pump for even more protection against groundwater. Looking at the image, you can see it placed in the corner of the crawl space. This area was chosen because it’s the lowest part of this particular crawl space. Groundwater naturally flows toward the lowest point where it will be captured and removed by the pump.

Vapor Barrier

Once the drainage system and sump pump were in place, our team installed a 3,000 square foot vapor barrier. With 120-mil thickness, the vapor barrier protects the crawl space from humid air and outdoor moisture. You can also see how the vapor barrier makes the crawl space look brighter and more inviting than before.

The Results

• Healthier home
• Protection of floor structure
• 55% relative humidity in crawl space

Need Crawl Space Encapsulation for Your Home?

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