Before & After Photos

Challenge: When it comes to repairing crawl spaces, people usually reach out to us for one or a combination of the following reasons: 

• Musty, funky smells

• Excessive dampness or humidity in the home 

• High heating and cooling costs

• Structural problems (such as sloping floors)

• Cold floors

These homeowners in Port Lambton did not want to face another winter walking on icy cold floors in their home. The previous owners attempted to create a more efficient and comfortable home by installing rigid wall insulation to the exterior foundation walls and stuffing fibreglass insulation into the floor joists above… but these efforts are completely ineffective in an unsealed crawl space. 

Solution: Our team encapsulated the crawl space, completely sealing it off from the outside environment. We then applied spray foam insulation to the exterior walls. The Canadian product we use is Polarfoam7300, it seals air leaks, preventing intrusion and providing insulation. It adheres permanently to all materials, is waterproof and won’t degrade, compress, or lose its R-value as other insulation types can.

Problem: These Wallaceburg homeowners were experiencing problems in their home, such as high humidity, damp smells and even mould growth as a result of their excessively wet dirt crawl space. 

The wet and unhealthy air is drawn upwards into the home from the dirt crawl space through tiny cracks - and although air molecules are microscopic, it caused huge problems in the home above. 

Solution: We’re so pleased these homeowners contacted us to help them. During the inspection process, we noted the crawl space area lies low and is naturally prone to water entering. To remedy this, we installed drainage pipe, a powerful sump pump, specifically designed for crawl spaces to remove this water and a powerful, yet energy-efficient, near-maintenance-free dehumidifier to help further control the moisture in the space. We then completely sealed the crawl space with our CleanSpace liner and added spray foam insulation. 

All of these products work together to ensure the water is kept away and the humidity level acceptable in the crawl space. 

Now the homeowners can better enjoy their home! 

Problem:  Even with a nice layer of clean gravel, this crawl space still has the effects of a typical unsealed crawl space.

Humid air and water vapour enter a home through the porous foundation, crawl space vents and up from the dirt floor of the crawl space; resulting in a damp crawl space, musty odors and an unhealthy environment throughout the entire home.

Solution: Wow – what a difference!

Our team installed the CleanSpace® Crawl Space Vapor Barrier: a super durable 20-mil poly-reinforced liner. Now this clean and dry crawl space is a usable storage area and a healthier environment!

Inspector: Joel

Foreman: Joel

Before

The crawl space access was a screened door to allow venting into the crawl space area. Previous construction techniques used this technology as it was considered proper to allow fresh air to move in and out throughout the year.

After

New building science has proven a crawl space that is enclosed from the outside will provide a healthy living space in the entire home. Remember to use a sealed access point with a proper door when updating your crawl space.

Give Advanced Basement Systems a call before updating your home.

Before

The home had an old, worn out poly vapour barrier on the floor to separate the moist cold dirt from the living space. The older barrier was not functioning properly and allowed water and humidity to come through. Attempts were made to dry the area such as using house fans to move the air flow.

The insulation in the area was fiberglass batts in between the floor joists that contained high moisture content and would not stay in place. Fiberglass batts in the floor joists above is the wrong way to insulate a crawl space. Insulation needs to be where outside air will meet inside air.

After

Advanced Basement Systems installed the Clean Space encapsulation system which included ground encapsulation material up the sides of the exterior walls, spray foam insulation on the walls and finally a powerful dehumidification unit to keep the space dry.

If your crawl space is not treated properly it will affect your entire home. Give Advanced Basement Systems a call to remedy a bad dirt crawl space!