AI-Powered Case Study: Crawl Space Waterproofing, Encapsulation, and Repair in Bellingham, WA
Longtime homeowners in Bellingham, WA, knew their crawl space always had problems, but issues such as leaking water and sagging floors recently became concerning. They were motivated to take action after a friend recommended contacting Groundworks for a solution.
A Groundworks inspector found multiple issues that needed immediate attention, including standing water and heavily water-damaged and crumbling wooden supports. They recommended installing waterproofing, encapsulation, dehumidification, and support jack systems.
After removing the water to dry out the crawl space, crews waterproofed and stabilized it. The homeowners were pleased with the work, and these solutions helped them gain peace of mind and a safer and healthier home.
The Challenge
- Open crawl space vents
- Crawl space water intrusion
- Moldy crawl space insulation
- Damaged crawl space supports
- Sagging floors
The Solution
- Crawl space drains and sump pump
- 120-mil vapor barrier
- Dehumidifier
- Support jacks
- Vent sealing
The Impact
- Sealed crawl space
- Improved indoor air quality
- Humidity control
- Floor structure support and protection
- Safer and healthier home
Before Crawl Space Repair:
Moisture Problems
Moisture is a home’s No. 1 enemy, and this crawl space had it in spades. Open crawl space vents and aging door materials allowed water to flow into the area under the house. Trapped moisture and damp air resulted in standing water on the dirt crawl space floor, elevated humidity levels, and wet insulation that began to develop mold and fall from between the floor joists.
Sagging, Uneven Floor
The excessive moisture also began to attack the home’s support system. Standing water damaged wooden support posts, leaving them to rot, splinter, and crumble. This lack of support affected the above floors, creating sagging and uneven sections that were noticeable in the main living areas.
After Crawl Space Encapsulation and Repair:
Crawl Space Drainage
First, crews pumped the flooding water out of the crawl space and then installed proper drainage solutions, including a perimeter crawl space drain and sump pump. Should any water leak into the crawl space or percolate through the soil, the drainage system captures it and directs it to a sump pump system. The sump pump then removes the water from the crawl space, draining it far away from the home.
Floor Stabilization with Support Jacks
The crew then shored up the home’s support system with durable crawl space jacks, which you can see pictured here. These heavy-duty jacks permanently reinforce sagging floors and floor joists, and are rated to support up to 24,860 pounds each. They are cut to fit the crawl space height and can be adjusted for potential floor improvement.
Encapsulation and Dehumidification
With stabilization and drainage systems in place, crews wrapped up the project by encapsulating the crawl space with a vapor barrier. This 120-mil-thick sheet fully seals the crawl space, isolating it from the earth and preventing moisture intrusion. An energy-efficient dehumidifier is the icing on the cake, as it further controls humidity, prevents mold growth, and improves indoor air quality. The vents were also sealed, and the doors were upgraded to airtight and watertight units.
Seeing the Positive Effects
The homeowners no longer have to worry about unstable floors or a wet crawl space. The crawl space repair and encapsulation systems that were installed represent a comprehensive approach that creates a safer and healthier home that the owners will be able to enjoy for many years.
Other Reviews for Our Crawl Space Repair Near You
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Just had a service visit after the one year install of our basement system. The nicest, most thorough service person (John B) came to…
Just had a service visit after the one year install of our basement system. The nicest, most thorough service person (John B) came to checked on unit function, clean up and did everything possible to solve any issues that arose over the last year. Would highly recommend and trust this person to do great work.
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The team at Groundworks did an excellent job, from start to finish, sealing my basement and installing drainage and sump pumps….
The team at Groundworks did an excellent job, from start to finish, sealing my basement and installing drainage and sump pumps. Knowledgeable staff, easy quote process, reliable, efficient and affordable. Wyatt, Tyler, Erik, Quevin, and Amari, thank you for a job well done! I highly recommend Groundworks. All around great experience. Lorraine Smith ~ Snohomish.
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Very timely and of the highest quality. Mkoma, Robert and Valdo did excellent work. We are extremely pleased with the work. Jerry was…
Very timely and of the highest quality. Mkoma, Robert and Valdo did excellent work. We are extremely pleased with the work. Jerry was responsive and ensured we would be satisfied customers. I highly recommend Groundworks to anyone needing their service.
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Our crawl space could get very wet. It would dry up at certain times of the year, but parts of it would sometimes still be damp. We…
Our crawl space could get very wet. It would dry up at certain times of the year, but parts of it would sometimes still be damp. We regularly replaced our sump pump, to insure it would always work, but the condition of our crawlspace was always a concern. We looked for a company that could "fix" our crawlspace issues…dry out the crawlspace and replace some of the wood that had water damage over the years. The only company that looked like they could do the work necessary, was Groundworks. We were impressed with them from the very beginning. We scheduled a date for the work to begin, about three weeks, and waited for the team to arrive. The company provided great communication regarding when the crew would start. The team would call every morning to let us know when they would arrive. The first order of daily business was the crew leader telling us what work was to be done. At the end of each day, we were told what had been accomplished, what was in order for the next day, and when to expect them the next morning. Always asking if we had any questions or concerns they could address. The next morning we would receive a call telling us when to expect them. Upon their arrival, the crew leader would begin by letting us know what their plan was for the day, and asking if there were questions or concerns. Then he would join the others with the day's work. This was the process every day until the job was done. The crew was the best. They were always professional, always friendly, & always busy. Most importantly, they were very careful to keep our home clean. Everything was protected from getting dirty. The crew members were Eric, Tyler & Wyatt. Tyler was the crew leader, who was there to make sure our questions were answered and that everything was done to our complete satisfaction. I cannot say enough good about them. They worked nonstop, they were always in good spirits and they did excellent work. The cost to complete the envelopment of our crawl space along with the repair and replacement of some of the framing and posts due to water damage seemed expensive. To me it wasn't difficult to justify knowing if the crawlspace issues were not taken care they would certainly worsen to the point of failure and then the repairs would be even more costly. Also, if the crawl space was left as it was, the value of the home would be less if we were to sell. Not so now, the crawl space is immaculate. It is clean and bright. All the posts and framing look great. Where the crawl space was once a negative, it is now a positive. Showing that we as owners take pride in maintaining our property. All said, it has been a great experience. We are very satisfied with the work they have done. (house is located in Whatcom County, WA)
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We had a very thorough and educational experience with Zachariah M. He took his time and answered all of my questions completely. I…
We had a very thorough and educational experience with Zachariah M. He took his time and answered all of my questions completely. I appreciated that he gave several options as well as listed things in order of importance based on my top priority, which is my family’s health.
Need Crawl Space Repair for Your Home?
Have you felt bouncy floors in your home, or wonder if you have a damp crawl space? Don’t ignore them. These problems worsen with time and affect your home and family’s well-being.
You can take back your home and create a healthier living environment. Groundworks provides lasting crawl space solutions trusted by millions of homeowners nationwide, including areas in Northwest Washington like Bellingham, WA.
Contact us today to take the first step in improving your home’s health by scheduling a free inspection and estimate.
Related Resources
Crawl Space Repair FAQs
Inspect your crawl space after any major rainstorm and at least twice a year as part of regular home maintenance.
In many climates, closing crawl space vents and opting for encapsulation are recommended to prevent outside moisture from entering and causing mold or mildew issues.
Ideally, humidity should be kept below 60% to prevent mold and mildew. Using a dehumidifier can help maintain this level if the crawl space is prone to moisture issues.