CRAWLSPACE SOLUTIONS BY COWLEYS

Moisture Ruins Houses

Moisture ruins houses by providing a hospitable environment for mold, fungi, and insects that destroy wood framing. Crawlspace moisture, and the mold and mildew that thrive in this environment, affect not only the floor system directly above the crawlspace, but also the entire house.

Previously the tactic was to add vents to a crawlspace to allow the moisture to dissipate. These vented crawlspaces, instead of becoming less damp, end up being more wet for several reasons. The stack effect, a house’s natural tendency to draw air in from the crawlspace upward into living spaces, means that instead of letting moist air out, a house sucks more moist air in! Another problem with venting a crawlspace is that it allows all kinds of bugs and critters direct access to a home.

The biggest issue with adding vents is that it does not address the main problem –moisture from the dirt beneath a home. Even if a crawlspace is not flooded or visibly wet, that additional humidity can spell trouble for your home – and your health. The fungus responsible for rot and mold not only eats away at the structure of a home, but spreads by producing millions and millionsof airborne spores.

Our 3 Step Solution

Instead of struggling against nature to remove moisture from a crawlspace, Basement Systems developed the CleanSpace® Crawlspace Encapsulation System, which seals a crawlspace off from that moisture coming up from
the dirt and from the damp air outside.

1. Encapsulate the Crawlspace

Sealing the crawlspace from the earth and outside air is the solution to moisture and dampness in the home, helping provide a mold-free, radon-free, and insect-free environment. Our crawlspace vapor barrier system involves installing a 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high and low-density polyethylene with polyester-cord reinforcement on the dirt or concrete floor, which is then fastened and epoxied to the walls. This extra-heavy reinforced lining is treated with an antimicrobial finish that protects against mold and mildew growth under the crawlspace liner.

2. Install a Dehumidifier

Keeping humidity down reduces the chance for mold to grow. Created especially for crawlspaces, our compact and powerful dehumidifier unit is the industry best.

3. Install a Sump Pump

Many crawlspace foundations leak and are subject to flooding, requiring a drainage system. Our award-winning, patented, sealed-environment sump pump systems, are uniquely engineered with air-tight sump pump covers, floor drains, check valves, patented CleanPump Stands, and built-in alarms to alert you to problems with the system.