CleanSpace Protects Corea, ME Crawlspace From Moisture Problems

Challenge

A couple in Corea, ME had been having trouble with their crawlspace. Without a vapor barrier in place, moisture had been freely able to enter the space through the surrounding soil. This could easily lead to problems such as mold growth or water damage. To prevent this, they called TC Hafford Basement Systems to get their crawlspace waterproofed the right way.

Solution

To begin the waterproofing of this crawlspace, we needed to give the water an exit. We installed a TripleSafe sump pump to do just this. The TripleSafe contains three pumps, each activating at different times to keep the space free of water. The first pump handles the bulk of the water. The second pump will only activate if and when the primary fails for any reason, taking over the water removal until the primary is fixed. The third pump is a battery-operated backup pump which will keep the crawlspace water-free even during intense rain storms. The water from the sump is forced up and out of the home through a PVC discharge line.

Next, we needed to prevent the moisture from further affecting the interior of the space by installing a vapor barrier. We began this by laying down a Drainage Matting. The Drainage Matting covers the floor, but is shaped in a way that it still allows water to flow beneath it. This will prevent the moisture from reaching the atmosphere while still allowing it to reach the sump for removal. To finish the vapor barrier, we encapsulated the space with a CleanSpace liner. The CleanSpace covers all of the walls, as well as the floor. This completely stops any moisture trying to reach the inside of the crawlspace, holding it back to either drain into the soil or down into the sump.

With the moisture now locked out, we installed a SaniDry CX dehumidifier to handle the moisture already in the air of the crawlspace. The SaniDry takes in the air around it, pulling out the moisture, passing the water on to the sump for removal. The dry air is then pushed back out into the space where is forces more moist air back towards the dehumidifier. This cycle continues until the air in the space is dry and healthy. Outside the home, we attached an IceGuard pipe piece to the discharge line coming from the TripleSafe. This prevents an overflow in the sump because the IceGuard has holes built into it. These holes will allow any trapped water to escape, in the event that ice or other debris blocks the line. Finally, the line was ended with a LawnScape discharge point. The water exits here onto the ground, a safe distance from the home.

This couple should never need to worry about moisture problems in their crawlspace again. With a vapor barrier in place and an exit point for the moisture, no water should be sticking around in this space for too long.

Project Summary

Products: CleanSpace, Drainage Matting, TripleSafe, SaniDry CX, IceGuard, LawnScape

Sales Rep.: Peter Folsom

Foreman: Mike Penna