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Whenever a crawl space is allowing humidity and moisture to enter the space, it will eventually rise to the home above it. A dilemma such as this was happening in Mt. Carmel, IL. Humidity and moisture combined make up a recipe for trouble. Whenever temperatures are between 32 and 100 and the relative humidity is between 70% and 99%, mold can thrive. When mold grows, it reproduces more airborne seeds to grow more mold, which is why it is crucial to remove it before it affects a homeowner's health. All mold is scrubbed and sprayed away through mold remediation. A trench is made beside the sides of the crawl space to allow any water to not overflow the crawl space floor. Brown matting, called Dimple matting, is laid throughout the space to create a flow toward the sump pump that will be installed in the ground. A SmartSump pump will continuously pump out any excess water that enters the crawl space. A white, pool-like liner called CleanSpace is put over the Dimple matting, creating a clean and healthy space for the family!
These Wadesville, IN homeowners were struggling against a nasty, smelly, musty crawlspace with periodic flooding for years. They finally decided to have Healthy Spaces remediate and transform their crawlspace by installing a new door, CleanSpace vapor barrier, water removal system with SuperSump sump pump, and a full mold remediation.
The feature that truly makes the most visual difference is the new Everlast Crawlspace Entry door. As you can see in the above picture, the crawlspace entry was originally blocked with a painted piece of plywood. The problem with plywood, and any organic material, is that it degrades so quickly in the elements. The wood warps and swells, causing the paint to chip and bubble. The whole entry becomes an eyesore very quickly. On top of that, it becomes a petry dish for mold and fungus and is very inefficient energy-wise.
The new Everlast crawlspace door is a durable plastic that won't warp, bubble, bend, or fade through the seasons. It maintains its shape and keeps a consistent seal along the entryway, allowing the crawlspace itself to remain drier and temperature constant than previously. As you can see, it's a neutral shade that attractively blends with the home and it will remain that way for years to come.
Homeowner Larry D from Patoka, IN. struggled with the musty odors in his home. Every time he would walk in the front door, the smell would hit him out of nowhere. He decided to go straight to the source- his crawl space. He hadn't been down there for years, and he suddenly remembered why. There was water sitting at the bottom, and mold growth everywhere. He decided to turn the issue over to someone he knew could handle it, so he gave Healthy Spaces a call.
Design Specialist, Chris Russell, came out to inspect Larry's crawl space. After he was finished, they sat down together to discuss the plan of action. This crawl space majorly needed a mold remediation treatment. Any time there are damp, humid conditions in your basement or crawl space, there is potential for mold growth. Our remediation process includes removing all mold-damaged materials, drying out the basement or crawl space, and thoroughly cleaning all surfaces. We use safe, effective cleaning products, and all of our technicians are trained and certified in professional mold remediation techniques that won't spread the mold in your home.
Mildew was a recent concern for a client out in Lawrenceville, IL. The client was concerned with the high humidity lingering in the crawlspace, along with a damp floor that was slowly causing mildew to grow. The mildew appeared in closets on the main floor above. The crawlspace was open, which created humidity and moisture in the air of the crawl space. When it is open, bringing in continuous moisture, it affects the energy that is being lost.
Controlling air infiltration is the key to energy conservation in a building. The top priority is to close up the giant holes in a crawl space wall while also eliminating the reason, such as exposed damp earth, that those holes were put there in the first place. A crawl space vent was used to permanently cover the outside, and to stop unwanted outside air from entering the crawl space. Encapsulation also helps the crawl space by sealing the floor from air leaks, and since problems in a crawl space need to be permanently fixed, it was added. A closed crawlspace and encapsulation will conclusively end the cycle of mildew from the floor above.
Sharon B. of Princeton, IN, had a damp, wet, leaking crawl space that could not keep water and moisture out. Sharon needed a solution in order to keep her crawl space dry, mold-free, and would save her money on her electric bill.
Healthy Spaces installed a system that would keep her crawl space dry and mold free. We installed CleanSpace® vapor barrier, SilverGlo™ insulation wall panels, SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier, an EZ Flow Drain which will direct water to the SmartSump pump system. Outside Healthy Spaces installed IceGuard and a LawnScape outlet at the end of the discharge line.