Wet blocks and pools of water around the edge of the crawlspace
The walls of the crawlspace are usually the first place an inspector will see water. Even if the water has drained, it will leave a stain in the concrete. You can also see just how little the thin 6 mil liner does for stopping water problems.
Hanging insulation and moisture in the crawlspace
How many times have you seen this? More hanging insulation in the crawlspace. Once it gets a little heavy from the high humidity, it gives almost no insulation value at all. All it really does is add to the nasty smells. Most homeowners ask us to remove it, which we are happy to do. Once its out, the wood can breathe and begin to dry out a little.
Wasted money
This is a whole roll of fiberglass insulation. It is completely ruined, just a big waste of money. Imagine a giant sponge that sits in a puddle of nasty water for years, would you want that in your house?
Damp rid bags
These bags are designed to take a little moisture out of the air, like in a closet. Some people use them to see just how bad the moisture problem is in the crawlspace or basement. They are not meant to be a dehumidifier.
Another attempt to draw moisture out of the air
These are common in smelly basements, not so much in a crawlspace. I have seen air fresheners and kitty litter in a crawlspace before, though. What this little bucket does is absorb moisture. You've seen the amount of water that was in this crawlspace, do you think this bucket will help? the substance is similar to the silica packets you find in new shoes. The nice thing is that once this crawlspace gets the DryZone treatment it will never need these little buckets again.
Attempt to block a foundation vent
The homeowner had the right idea to block the foundation vents. All they really do is let in the nasty summer air. All that humidity is like poison to a crawlspace. The problem is that plywood will soak up moisture and warp or rot. It also isn't a very tight fit, so air still gets in easily. DryZone uses several methods for blocking off these vents. Which method used depends on the situation, are we just trying to block air or would you like to prevent structural damage from floods? (See next picture)
SmartVent flood vent for the crawlspace
This is a SmartVent flood vent. It is designed to open ONLY in case of a flood. Basically, you will get the benefit of having a sealed vent with the added security of a flood vent. What a flood vent does is open up and relieve the pressure on the foundation walls during a flood. The amount of damage a flood can do to your foundation walls is immense. These special vents help to save your walls, so that once the flood is gone there should be far less damage. Most flood policies will require something like this to be installed. It is always a good idea for those looking to protect their homes from flood damage.
Nice and clean crawlspace
Now this is what we like to see, right? A clean and healthy area under the home. Since a great deal of the air we breathe while in our home comes from the crawlspace, cleaning it out is always the smart choice. A proper encapsulation system will reduce allergens, mold, and humidity. What that means for most people is that they can breathe easier and be more comfortable in their own home.
TripleSafe sump pump system with a battery back up
This home is now covered in case of a power outage. Our TripleSafe sump pump system contains 3 separate pumps. There is one for everyday use, one in case the first pump gets over worked or pops a breaker, and a third pump which runs on a battery. the battery back up pump only comes on when the first two pumps aren't working. The nice thing is that this will not only cover you in a power failure situation, but also if the electric breakers pop. You might still have power to most of the house, but the one sump pump breaker goes bad. Well, with the TripleSafe you are still able to pump out the water in the crawlspace.
Sturdy crawlspace door, IceGuards, and a SmartVent flood vent
This picture shows the brand new, custom fit crawlspace door. It is made from thick and heavy duty vinyl. It won't warp or rust like the typical sheet metal doors. The white pipes are IceGuards. They keep the pipes from freezing so the sump pumps are able to work throughout the entire year. Lastly, you can see the exterior of the SmartVent flood vent. It has a nice stainless steel look to it.