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.

 

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.