Vapor Barrier Protects Medway, ME Crawlspace From Mold Problem

Challenge

A homeowner in Medway, ME was beginning to notice a smell coming from their crawlspace. After investigating, the space was extremely damp. This not only presented the problem of a smell, but could lead to mold growth spreading, or even water damage to the home. They also had little to no insulation in the space, which was a matter that would also need to be addressed. To have the problems solved right away, they called TC Hafford Basement Systems.

Solution

Once our crew arrived, they began work on the crawlspace right away. The space had no vapor barrier in place, so it was very easy for moisture to enter through the dirt walls and floor. To fix this, we began by laying down a Drainage Matting on the floor. This created the first layer of the vapor barrier. The Drainage Matting holds water beneath it, allowing it to flow to where it can drain away back into the soil without negatively affecting the crawlspace. We then used Spray Foam to fill the joists and other empty spaces around the crawlspace to form an insulating barrier. This new insulation will greatly assist this home in retaining the desired temperature of the homeowner.

To finish the vapor barrier, we encapsulated the space with a CleanSpace liner. This liner is made of a thin plastic and covers every wall, as well as the floor. The CleanSpace locks out moisture, preventing it from getting any further into the space than the walls themselves. Now that the moisture trying to enter the space has been dealt with, it was time to manage the air quality of the space. To do this, we installed a SaniDry XP dehumidifier. The SaniDry will take in the moist air from the space, remove the water, and release the now dry air back into the crawlspace. This creates a circulation, where dry air causes more moist air to flow to the SaniDry. This cycle continues until the atmosphere is completely dry and healthy.

Without any moisture to live on, no mold will be able to survive in this crawlspace. Now this homeowner can be sure they won’t have any mold related issues on their hands.

Project Summary

Products: CleanSpace, Drainage Matting, SaniDry XP, Spray Foam

Sales Rep.: Peter Folsom

Foreman: Colby Owen