Blog

Flooding In Crawl Spaces
Many people find that rain water seeps into their home – particularly, the crawl space. DelmarvaLife’s Sean Streicher goes into a crawl space to see how much damage can occur if the issue is not taken care of. If water under a house is left unaddressed it can lead to mold and eventually structural damage. The longer the water sits there, the more the building materials will absorb the moisture and mold will occur.

Homeowner’s Guide To Installing A Crawl Space Vapor Barrier: Part 1
More than 27 million homes in the U.S. have crawlspaces. And even though they’re exceedingly useful for extra home storage, it’s absolutely essential to keep them protected and dry to avoid the possibility of water and mold damage. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), 100% of all types of mold have the potential to cause some health effects. This can be minor to severe and even result in death in some rare cases. That’s why many homeowners are investing in crawl space vapor barriers to keep water out. Here’s part one of our homeowner’s guide to installing a crawl space vapor barrier. Do You Need Extra Crawl Space Insulation For Your Home? Before investing in any type of crawl space dehumidifier or basement waterproofing system, you need to determine your home’s needs. In order to ascertain whether or not your home’s basement or crawl space has a problem with accumulating excess moisture, look at the pipes and concrete walls that surround the space. If they’re wet to the touch or even have gathered a small amount of moisture, it’s a sign that you’re experiencing a common problem that does require a solution such as a crawl space vapor barrier. […]

Homeowner’s Guide To Installing A Crawl Space Vapor Barrier: Part 2
In the last post, we discussed the basic preparation steps of installing a crawl space vapor barrier. However, understanding the specific steps of the installation process itself is the key to maximizing the barrier’s potential for crawl space moisture removal. Here’s part two of our homeowner’s guide to installing a crawl space vapor barrier. Lay Down Moisture Barrier When spreading and laying out your crawl space moisture removal barrier, make sure to overlap all seams and tape them for maximum protection. Experts say the plastic should be secured at a distance of about six inches up the wall. Then, use the landscape fabric stakes to keep it protected for potential future disturbances. “Chances are that someone will have to slide around in the crawlspace later to fix a pipe or run a new cable. A few holes won’t make any difference in performance, and they’ll drain puddles if a heavy rain or leaky pipe leaves water on the plastic,” says The Family Handyman. Protect Exposed Foundation Next, cover any areas of your home’s foundation that may be exposed with one to one and a half inches of moisture proof insulation. This helps to maximize the overall effectiveness of the basement waterproofing […]

Understanding The Benefits of Basement Waterproofing (Part 1)
More than 27 million homes in the U.S. have crawlspaces, and experts estimate that about 30% of American homes have basements as well. But whether you have a crawl space or basement in your home, it’s important to keep it dry, and to understand why it needs to stay dry. Wall-vented crawl spaces cannot maintain relative humidity below the 70% threshold; therefore, they routinely experience condensation and mold growth. If you have a crawl space or basement, keeping it dry is essential. Here’s part one of our homeowner’s guide to understanding the benefits of basement waterproofing. Remove Odors First, many basements that aren’t adequately waterproofed have a distinct stench of moldiness or mildew permeating from their walls. This musty smell can be very unpleasant and deter you from wanting to go into the area at all. Removing this odor alone can help to improve the basement or crawl space’s functionality, and a dry basement won’t have this mildew smell at all. Remove Pests If you’ve ever dealt with a wet basement, you may also be familiar with the many pests that always seem to find a way to enter and make your basement or crawl space their new home base. This is […]

Understanding The Benefits of A Dry Basement (Part 2)
In the last post, we discussed some of the main advantages of keeping your basement or crawl space as dry as possible. However, there are many lesser known advantages of basement waterproofing as well, and it’s important to have a thorough range of knowledge before deciding whether or not basement or crawl space moisture removal services are right for you. Here’s part two of our homeowner’s guide to understanding the advantages of a dry basement or crawl space. Remodel Preparations This is one major benefit of moisture and mold removal that many homeowners simply aren’t aware of or don’t fully understand. The fact is, the Environmental Protection Agency states that resolving any and all basement or crawl space water issues is an absolutely essential component of preparing for a remodeling job. If you skip this critical step, all of the effort and hard work you put into planning and executing your remodeling plans may be wasted. It’s much better to be proactive and get the waterproofing job done beforehand so you can enjoy your new basement once the remodeling job is complete. Infrastructure Protection Many homeowners also fail to realize the fact that a moisture-ridden crawl space or basement, when […]

Moisture Free is the Way to Be (Part 1): Crawl Space Conundrums and How to Conquer Them
Over 20 million houses in the United States still have crawl spaces. It’s a term you may hear fairly often, but might not fully understand. A crawl space can refer to a variety of unfinished areas of your home, but in this article we’re going to focus on one particular type of crawl space: that small, spiderweb-filled space between the ground and the raised first floor of your home. Usually, it’s no more than 3 feet in height, hence it can’t be entered standing and is aptly named a crawl space. Why are they a big deal? Well, basements and crawl spaces are notorious places for unwanted moisture to creep in and cause trouble. Crawl spaces are more worrisome because they’re obnoxiously small areas that tend to sink to the bottom (get it?) of the home maintenance list. Neglecting them can cause health and structural issues that’ll have you wondering how you could’ve avoided mold removal or foundation damage in the first place. There are two common ways to prevent moisture from collecting in ground floor crawlspaces, crawl space encapsulation and crawl space sealing. However, many homeowners are confused about the differences between these techniques. We’re here to clear up confusion […]

Debunking 3 Common Myths Surrounding Basement Waterproofing
Of all homes with basements, over 98% will experience some type of water damage. That’s why more and more homeowners are investing in crawl space dehumidifiers and other basement waterproofing systems to keep the foundation of their homes as dry and protected as possible. But before you determine whether or not a crawl space drain system or waterproofing system is the right investment for your home, it’s important to understand the truth behind the countless myths that can make it hard to know what’s fact and what’s just fiction. Here are just a few of the most common myths you’ll hear regarding basement and crawl space waterproofing. Even the best waterproofing job won’t keep your basement or crawl space completely dry. First and foremost, this myth is dangerous and can lead to further water issues or even mold in your home. The fact is, a professional waterproofing job performed with professional-grade materials should keep the area completely dry. If anyone tries to tell you that it’s simply not possible to keep a basement or crawl space entirely dry, they’re quite misinformed. Don’t let moisture in your basement or crawl space go unattended — this can lead to mold buildup, and according to […]

Homeowner’s Guide: Common Basement Waterproofing Mistakes (Part 1)
Of all homes with basements, over 98% will experience some type of water damage. Many homeowners have invested in a crawl space drain system or another type of basement or crawl space waterproofing method in order to ensure stability with their home’s foundation. Of course, if you’re considering a DIY job, it’s imperative to be aware of and avoid some common mistakes that can lead to your project’s downfall. Here’s part one of our homeowner’s guide to avoiding some common basement waterproofing mistakes. Not Ensuring The Space Is Moisture-Free Before Starting It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many homeowners take on the challenge of waterproofing or installing a basement or crawl space insulation system only after their home has sustained some type of water damage. That being said, it’s absolutely essential to make sure the space is completely dry before starting your project to avoid trapping water in between layers of your waterproofing system. Furthermore, even small amounts of water and moisture can cause health issues when left unresolved: according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), 100% of all types of mold have the potential to cause some health effects. This can be minor to severe and even death in some […]

Homeowner’s Guide: Common Basement Waterproofing Mistakes (Part 2)
In the last post, we discussed some of the most common mistakes homeowners tend to make when installing basement and crawl space insulation and waterproofing systems in their homes. However, it’s essential to have a full understanding of how to avoid these common mistakes, especially as a homeowner who may not have much prior experience taking on a challenging DIY job involving their home’s foundation. Here’s part two of our homeowner’s guide to avoiding common crawl space and basement waterproofing mistakes. Believing In Any ‘Quick Fix’ or ‘Miracle Solution’ You may have seem those tacky infomercials advertising products that supposedly seal any crack or otherwise serve as an adhesive for a huge range of products and applications. Despite the creative and certainly persuasive marketing and visuals put into the infomercial, keep in mind that there’s no miracle solution when it comes to basement and crawl space insulation and waterproofing. The one and only way to keep water out is to invest in and properly install the entire system as well as properly maintain your home’s basement or crawl space. It’s unfortunately not quite as easy as dialing a 1-800 number, paying $20, and spraying something on the damaged areas. If […]

Homeowner’s Guide To Maintaining A Dry Basement (Part 1)
Of all homes with basements, over 98% will experience some type of water damage. That’s why many homeowners are very preoccupied with ensuring that their basement or crawl space stays dry. A wet basement can cause all sort of problems regarding home and health, including mold. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 100% of all types of mold have the potential to cause some health effects. This can be minor to severe and even death in some rare cases. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to help ensure that your basement remains as dry as possible year round. Here’s part one of our homeowner’s guide to maintaining a dry basement. Use Dehumidifiers Dehumidifiers are just one effective moisture removal strategy. While they aren’t ideal for initial basement waterproofing, they’re typically implemented once your basement or crawl space is mostly dry to help keep control of the humidity level. Depending on the size of your basement, you may need to invest in multiple dehumidifiers, but this technique works — as long as you make sure to keep the dehumidifiers emptied and running. Consider Water Resistant Paint Water resistant paint is a great way to prevent what’s […]

Homeowner’s Guide To Maintaining A Dry Basement (Part 2)
In the last post, we discussed some basic ways to maintain a dry basement. However, there are many more moisture removal techniques that can be used together to maximize your basement’s level of moisture protection and reduce the risk for mold. After all, according to the Mayo Clinic 93% of Chronic Sinus Infections have been attributed to mold. Here’s part two of our homeowner’s guide to maintaining a dry basement. Minimize Dryer Usage If your washer and dryer are located in your basement, you should consider how their use could affect the room’s humidity levels. The first step is to ensure that your dryer vents to the outdoors, as the exhaust from a clothes dryer is heavy and filled with moisture. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to try to minimize your dryer use when possible. On bright and sunny summer days, for example, it’s easy to hang your clothes on an outdoor clothesline and let them dry naturally. You may be surprised just how much this small step can contribute to basement dryness. Install Exhaust Fan If you have a bathroom in your basement, it’s essential for it to have a properly functioning exhaust fan. This is because basement bathrooms […]