Crawl Space FAQ

Though we don’t think you should lose sleep over the condition of your crawl space, there are some potential issues to be aware of. Firstly, crawl spaces are rarely waterproofed while also being largely susceptible to leaks and flooding. Any sort of water buildup in your crawl space can rapidly lead to excessive humidity and mold growth beneath your home or business. Unsealed crawl spaces can also cause heating, structural, and health problems if not addressed adequately. If you begin noticing the following in your home or business, it may be a crawl space problem:

• Drywall cracks in the interior
• Uneven floors
• Unexplainable odors in your house
• Heightened allergies or asthma symptoms

At Reliable Basement Services, we go above and beyond to provide the best waterproofing services in the Chicagoland area. Though crawl spaces are typically something property owners overlook, this type of work is our specialty, as we understand the importance of properly safeguarding this area of your building. Some of the crawl space waterproofing techniques and services we proudly offer to our neighbors across the region include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Crawl Space Encapsulation
• Crawl Space Ventilation
• Crawl Space Perimeter Systems
• Crawl Space Drainage Mats
• Crawl Space “Finger” Drains
• Exterior Crawl Space Excavation
• Interior Crawl Space Drain Tile System
• Installation of Multiple Crawl Space Drains
• HealthyCrawl Installation
• And More!

Crawl space encapsulation is the modern way to waterproof a crawl space. For our crawl space encapsulation system, we install a 16-millimeter commercial-grade reinforced vapor barrier made of polyethylene with polyester cord reinforcement on the dirt or concrete floor. This vapor barrier is then fastened to the walls and sealed into place for long-lasting and effective waterproofing.

Once you’ve encapsulated your crawl space with a vapor barrier, you’ll gain a valuable storage area beneath your home. Our HealthyCrawl Crawl Space Vapor Barrier is tough enough for our service providers to crawl on and safe enough for your storage. Additionally, because our vapor barriers are bright white, it will work to brighten your crawl space so you can have a better home-storage experience.

Yes! Crawl space encapsulation is actually a great way to some money when it comes to safeguarding your crawl space. In some of our past encapsulation jobs, we have introduced a heat source to make the crawl space part of the air-conditioned space. We do this because we have come to find that if you keep your crawl space at 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, the first floor of your property will stay much more comfortable. Not only does this significantly reduce crawl space humidity, but it also means you’ll save big on your energy bills. This is a simple, yet effective way to get money back on your encapsulation investment year after year.

If you have water infiltration issues in your building’s crawl space, a dehumidifier could help significantly. Though leaks or flooding in your crawl space may not seem to be an urgent issue, it’s your best bet to ensure the issue is addressed as soon as possible. Up to 40% of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home or business comes from the crawl space! If yours is full of mold growth and stagnant water, you’re likely dealing with contaminated air inside your building. Cue our Santa Fe Dehumidifier System. This state-of-the-art system is fully automatic and dries and cleans up to 2,500 square feet of crawl space! Better yet, there are no buckets to empty and you’ll be set up with a two-stage air purification system that’s energy star rated. You will want to ask our professionals about investing in a crawl space dehumidifier if you begin noticing any of the following issues at your commercial or residential property:

• A strong musty odor
• Moisture on the inside of your windows
• A “sticky,” humid feeling, even when the A/C is on
• Creaking, sagging, or sloping floors
• Cracks in drywall
• Gaps between floor and baseboard

If you know that humidity is an issue in your crawl space, it may be best to invest in crawl space vent covers if you aren’t ready to invest in a full-blown vapor barrier. While most crawl spaces contain vents to allow air circulation, they can oftentimes do more harm than good. Warm, humid air can make its way in and create high humidity in the crawl space environment, increasing the relative humidity. Once the warm, moist air has cooled inside the crawl space, condensation can begin, eventually leading to mold growth and structural concerns. Vents may be your best and most cost-effective option to avoid issues and more expensive solutions in the future.

If you are experiencing moisture issues in your crawl space, the Reliable Basement Services team urges you to invest in a well-insulated, air-sealed door. Having an efficient crawl space door significantly improves the encapsulation process. Our team can help you pick out an appropriate door and will even install it for you as part of the encapsulation process.

There’s a whole line-up of ways you can prevent moisture from overtaking your crawl space. Some of the suggestions and practices we have for home and business owners include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Keep all untreated wood materials away from the ground.
• Damp-proof the below-grade portion of the foundation wall to prevent it from absorbing ground moisture.
• Install drainage plane material or gravel against the foundation wall to channel water away from the foundation and towards the drain.
• Provide a foundation drainage system at the footing when the interior grade foundation floor is below the exterior grade.
• Surround the crawl space with perforated basement drain tiles and pitch to a sealed sump pump system.
• Install a 16-millimeter commercial-grade reinforced vapor barrier across the crawl space floor to prevent soil moisture from migrating into the crawl space.
• Overlap and tape all seams by several inches.
• Seal up the crawl space walls completely.
• Invest in a crawlspace door to further support encapsulation.