Investing in crawlspace waterproofing is a great way to ensure the health of your crawlspace and home in general. However, many homeowners are finding that the solutions offered by so-called ‘expert’ contractors are causing even more problems than they were meant to resolve.
One thing that many homeowners do not realize is that crawlspace waterproofing contractors aren’t created the same. It is important to do your due diligence and ensure that you’re hiring a contractor with experience and knowledge. They should be able to provide you with evidence of previous work and show that it was successful.
Common complaints
Many homeowners who’ve already spent thousands of dollars on crawlspace waterproofing end up calling other contractors to resolve issues in their crawlspaces. The following are some of the most common complaints amongst these homeowners.
- There’s standing water in my crawlspace
You’ve already spent thousands of dollars to have your crawlspace encapsulated to keep it dry. However, there is standing water in the crawlspace. Why is this so?
The most common reason for this is inadequate waterproofing. Standing water is an especially common problem in areas with high water tables. The moisture from the ground penetrates the seams of the plastic sheet used for encapsulation and accumulates in the space. Because the space is completely encapsulated, the only route of escape for moisture from your crawlspace is through the floor and into your home. You’re therefore also likely to face moisture problems in your home after a while.
- There’s a bad smell coming from my crawlspace
This is also another common complaint from homeowners. The smell is a result of the natural gases rising from the soil below your home. These gases become trapped in the crawlspace. They are therefore forced to escape into your home. You may notice a smell similar to cat urine.
- My home feels damp
There are some homeowners who have experienced increased humidity in their homes after encapsulation. This is the result of moisture rising through the soil into the crawlspace. The moisture then rises into the home through the floor and causes the home to feel damp.
The solution
If you want to ensure that your home and crawlspace remain clean, dry and problem-free, search for a reputable crawlspace waterproofing contractor. Ensure that their solution involves dealing with the source of the moisture in the first place and not just encapsulating the crawlspace.

Ohio State Waterproofing has provided quality service with over 80,000 successful waterproofing and foundation repair installations and satisfied customers since our inception in 1978.
Ohio State Waterproofing’s philosophy for success is to provide honest, courteous and guaranteed service to every customer. Our reputation reflects this. Our well-trained waterproofing technicians are dedicated to complete customer satisfaction. This is achieved through fast, efficient processes as well as teamwork throughout this organization. You will always find a friendly representative willing to meet your needs at Ohio State Waterproofing.
We are a full service company that handles problems ranging from patching cracks to rebuilding basements. In addition, we hold three patents related to waterproofing that make us unique in the industry. These patents and our experience allow us to be able to do what every other waterproofer can do, but no one else can do what we do.
We are actively involved in the industry and community, including the National Association of Waterproofing Contractors, BHA, NARI, NAHB, NHIA, the BIA, the FHA and a number of consumer advocacy groups, as well as playing leading roles in a number of charitable functions.
But, most importantly, our highest degree of praise comes from the thousands of referrals we get from satisfied customers. Together they’ve made us a leader in the basement waterproofing and foundation repair industry.