Crawlspace waterproofing is a job that should be left to professional and experienced contractors. However, time and time again, homeowners are fooled into either hiring inexperienced and untrained contractors. The problem with this is that they are likely to engage in practices that will only make the situation worse.
The following are some of the most common crawlspace waterproofing practices that only make things worse.
- Installing fiberglass in a wet or humid crawlspace
Fiberglass consists of glass fibers that are woven together. It basically looks like wool. Many inexperienced people will have this installed in humid crawlspace before dealing with the water problems. Fiberglass absorbs moisture from the air in humid environments. The fiberglass will become heavy and is likely to fall out of its place eventually. You may also have a mold problem as a result of the absorption of water.
- Improper installation of the sump pump
A sump pump is a vital component in crawlspace waterproofing. It ensures that excess water is removed from the crawl space therefore preventing flooding. Installing a sump pump requires a lot of planning. Various factors must be considered including the layout of the crawlspace, the proper positioning of the valves and hoses as well as proper trenching to capture water. These are considerations that homeowners and inexperienced contractors fail to make. The sump pump system ends up being ineffective.
- Not installing a dehumidifier
Waterproofing crawl spaces often involves encapsulation of the crawl space. Many inexperienced people will leave it at that. However, moisture can still build up in the crawl space. Installing a dehumidifier will help to control the conditions in the crawl space and ensure that you avoid moisture problems.
- Not ventilating the crawl space
Building codes require that crawl spaces be ventilated. This may mean including a vent or mechanically ventilating the crawl space. This helps to deal with dangerous soil gases such as radon gas that may accumulate in the crawl space and contaminate the living space above.
Installing an active ventilation system will help to mitigate the accumulation of soil gases in the crawl space. It will also ensure that you meet the requirements of building codes.
- Using gravel in place of a vapor barrier
Many people assume that installing gravel on the crawl space floor is enough to prevent vapor from entering the crawl space. This isn’t true. A vapor barrier must be installed beneath the gravel. This will help to keep the crawl space dry.
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.