Nasty puddles of muddy water in the crawlspace
The cheap 6-mil liner that is usually installed when the home is built will do nothing to stop ground water. It does very little to stop water vapor from raising the humidity. When the plastic starts to look like this, it is time to remove it all together and get a proper crawlspace vapor barrier.
Leaky crawlspace walls in Rehoboth Beach
One of the most often overlooked areas in a crawlspace are the walls. This is probably because most people are used to seeing only a ground cover when they buy a home. The issues people have with crawlspace walls is that the blocks are hollow and fill with water over time. That water will drain out into the dirt and cause stinky little puddles.
Signs of growth on the wood
There is no way for anyone at DryZone to test for mold officially. Therefore, we don't call it mold, but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might be a duck. The philosophy here is to treat it as if it is mold and fix the problems that cause it to grow. Lowering the humidity is one of the best things to do.
Disconnected dryer vent hose
Many houses have a hose connecting the dryer to the outside wall. This is to vent the wet air out of the crawlspace. When the hose gets disconnected the dryer is literally blowing wet air under the home. It's a pretty simple way to start lowering the humidity.
Hanging insulation in the crawlspace
When the old fiberglass insulation gets heavy with moisture it will sag and even fall onto the floor. At this point it is useless and provides no insulating value.
Undersized dehumidifier
This is a common sight in crawlspaces. These dehumidifiers are the only kind that many people know. They are easy to get at the local hardware store, but are they the right machine for the job? The answer is simple, NO. They are meant to be used in a much smaller space, like a bedroom. The fan is far too small to spread the air out over a wide open space like a crawlspace or basement. It simply will not do the job, and generally uses way too much power. In the end they cost the homeowner way too much.
Beautiful and clean crawlspace
CleanSpace is a great vapor barrier. It is super thick (20 mil) and is reinforced with 2 layers of nylon cords. Almost every time we are set up for a home show or event in the area we will get a few plumbers, HVAC installers, or pest control people stop by and rave about how much they love it. The whiteness reflects light all over which makes the space much easier to work in. The humidity will lower almost immediately and the entire crawlspace is just more pleasant.
Wrapping the foundation piers
Keeping a continuous liner is very important. There can be no leaks or gaps to let in musty air. This means that each of the foundation piers must be wrapped and sealed. On top of making the system complete, it also looks great.
Tight corners and sealed around pipes
DryZone has done well over 1 million square feet of CleanSpace installation. This means that we have perfected the process and cut out all the minor flaws and imperfections that develop over time. We know that leaving a small gap at the top of the liner will allow for a yearly termite inspection. Also, tightly wrapping around sewer and water pipes will prevent small air leaks.
Building a proper crawlspace door
The old sheet metal doors will rust and warp over time. They also rattle a lot in the wind. The worst thing about them is that they leak humid air into the crawlspace. DryZone replaces these old doors with a thick vinyl door.