Edgewood Garden Apartments Crawl Space Encapsulation

The Challenge

Persistent standing water was deteriorating the floor joists under this apartment.

At Edgewood Gardens Apartments in Panama City, Florida, persistent standing water in the crawlspace led to significant deterioration of the wooden floor joists. Prolonged moisture exposure caused the joists to rot and weaken, resulting in noticeable floor settlement and ongoing structural concerns throughout the multi-family building. In addition to compromising the structural integrity of the property, the damp environment created conditions that could negatively impact the tenants. To prevent further water damage and address the recurring issues plaguing the complex, the property management team reached out to Groundworks for a crawl space encapsulation solution.

Key Facts

The Solution

Groundworks installed sump pumps, vapor barrier, and dehumidifier.

Groundworks performed a comprehensive assessment of the crawlspaces across multiple apartment buildings at Edgewood Gardens and developed a multi-phase solution to address both active water intrusion and long-term moisture control. The repair plan included the installation of a drainage system, vapor barrier, dehumidification, and a fabricated crawl space access door.

To begin, a sump pump system was installed in each crawlspace to actively remove standing water and manage future water intrusion. Once drainage was established, a durable vapor barrier was installed along the crawlspace floor to limit ground moisture from entering the space.

To maintain consistent environmental conditions, a high-performance dehumidifier was installed to regulate humidity levels within the crawlspace, keeping them within the EPA-recommended range of less than 60 percent. Finally, a custom-fabricated crawl space door was installed to fully enclose the area while still allowing for safe and convenient access for future maintenance.

The Impact

The crawlspaces were transformed into clean, healthy spaces.

Following completion of the project, the crawlspaces across multiple buildings at Edgewood Gardens were transformed into clean, controlled environments. The newly installed drainage and encapsulation systems eliminated standing water and significantly reduced moisture levels, helping to protect the structural integrity of the floor system.

By addressing both water intrusion and humidity, Groundworks provided a long-term solution that not only stabilized the buildings but also improved conditions for residents and reduced the likelihood of future maintenance issues for property management.