Crawl Space Encapsulation Before & After Photos

This crawl space got a complete face lift with crawl space encapsulation, keeping the environment dry, pest and mold-free.

Soil is a porous medium that acts like a sponge. After rainfall, soil soaks up water, and once the soil is saturated, it will form surface puddles along with moisture and humidity. This was the case for this homeowner in Belmar, NJ who realized there was a problem and wanted our crawl space specialists to handle it.

First, we removed all of the debris, flattened the surface and laid down a drainage matting. The drainage matting allows moisture to work its way over to the new sump pump that we installed. Next, we lined the entire crawl space with a super-durable, 20-mil 7-ply vapor barrier, which is made up of high and low-density polyethylene with a polyester-cord reinforcement. This barrier will deter moisture from entering the crawl space, is puncture and tear-resistant, and is treated with an antimicrobial solution to prevent mold. 

Afterward, we lined the walls of the crawl space with foam insulation called SilverGlo™. SilverGlo™ not only has a higher R-value than standard EPS foam but also comes with a shiny integral radiant barrier that reflects heat for enhanced energy efficiency. The homeowner previously purchased a commercial-grade dehumidifier and planned on installing it after we were finished. Now, the homeowner has a dry, energy-efficient, and healthy crawl space. 

This crawl space had almost every issue a crawl space could have, standing water, mold, hanging insulation, poor drainage, and moisture. Our crawl space encapsulation system solved them all. Crawl space humidity isn't just uncomfortable and smelly, it can cause structural damage to the woodwork of your home as well! Also, the mold it allows to grow is damaging to your health!

First, we removed all the contaminated insulation and debris, leveled the ground for proper draining, and installed a drainage matting, which is a dimpled plastic mat material, over the dirt-floor crawl space. This allows all excess moisture to work its way over to the new sump pump we installed. Next, we installed a vapor barrier which is a 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high and low-density polyethylene that is treated with an antimicrobial finish that protects against mold and mildew growth. Next, we installed SilverGlo™ which is a waterproof foam insulation that seals the walls from outside moisture and humidity to the walls of the crawl space.

This homeowner in Rumson, NJ decided it was time to get rid of all the moisture in his crawl space and utilize it for storage, but he had no idea what to do. So he called Cowleys and we were sent out to insect and encapsulate.

After a thorough inspection, we noticed that the crawl space was in disarray and the insulation was dirty and soaked with moisture. Using our hygrometer, we noticed the humidity levels were extremely high. Fortunately, no mold had developed. Crawl spaces can spell trouble. As a subterranean space, they are often the primary point of entry for water and moisture, and they are the root cause of many home problems – including problems that affect your family’s health.

After speaking with the homeowner and discussing options, we went to work. First, we removed all the debris and contaminated insulation and then leveled the ground for proper draining. Afterward, we installed a drainage matting, which is a dimpled plastic mat that allows excess moisture to work its way over to the new sump pump we installed. We then filled the outside of the hole of the sump pump area with stones which will allow water to filter downward.

Next, we installed a vapor barrier which is a 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high and low-density polyethylene with a polyester-cord reinforcement. It cannot tear, is extremely durable, and is treated with an antimicrobial finish that protects against mold and mildew growth. Once the vapor barrier was down, we installed SilverGlo™ along the walls of the crawl space. SilverGlo™ is a durable and waterproof rigid foam insulation that seals the walls from outside moisture and humidity.

Lastly, we installed a Sani-Dry Sedona dehumidifier. This heavy-duty, commercial-grade dehumidifier directs the extracted water pulled out of the air directly into the sump pump. Now the crawl space will no longer have any issues with high humidity levels, mold or mildew growth, and will create a healthy environment for the family.

This homeowner in Rumson, NJ was tired of having an excessive amount of moisture in his crawl space, so he called our office to encapsulate it. Excessive moisture in your crawl space can have a major impact on your family’s health. In fact, 50% of the air in your home comes up through the crawl space — which means that moisture and mold can seep into your home, where you're breathing it in. After surveying the crawl space, we noticed that the homeowner had a dirt floor crawl space. Dirt floor crawl spaces attract and absorb moisture. When the dirt dries, the moisture from the dirt ground evaporates up into the crawl space, which causes humidity levels to rise in your home. After a thorough inspection, we determined that this was the cause of the moisture build-up in the crawl space.  

First, we leveled the ground for proper draining and installed drainage matting. This material is a dimpled plastic mat that allows all excess moisture to work its way over to the sump pump. Once we finished, we installed a vapor barrier which is a heavy-duty, 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high and low-density polyethylene with a polyester-cord reinforcement. It cannot tear and is extremely durable. The vapor barrier is also treated with an antimicrobial to prevent mold and is installed over the foundation walls and floor to create a continuous air and moisture barrier.

Next, we installed SilverGlo™ on the walls of the crawl space. SilverGlo™ is a waterproof foam insulation that seals the walls from outside moisture and humidity. Lastly, we installed a Sani-Dry Sedona commercial-grade dehumidifier to control the humidity levels. The Sedona directs the extracted water pulled out of the air directly into the sump pump.