Protect Your Home from Moisture Related Issues
Moisture Issues
We are typically unaware of many of the moisture concerns developing under our floors. It isn’t always the presence of visible water which is of greatest concern! There is ground water below the soil which releases into the air as evaporation. Per Clemson University, the goal is to keep the percentage of wood-moisture in the substructure below 20% throughout the year. (Bulletin 19 - Other Wood-Destroying Organisms). "On a Wood Infestation Report, 'excessive' moisture conditions begin at 20%. Active decay begins at 28%."
Our Services
Moisture Barriers
A moisture or vapor barrier can be a solution to moisture issues under your home. Building code in the Carolinas dictates the need for a minimum of a 6mil (.006” thick) polyethylene vapor barrier to cover the soil. Often times, a simple moisture barrier can provide years of assistance in keeping wood-moisture levels from rising to excessive levels. The goal is to keep the percentage of wood-moisture in the substructure below 20% throughout the year. Vapor barriers are a great, cost-effective first step in trying to reach this goal!
Crawl Space Encapsulation
When a vapor barrier isn’t sufficient in correcting already excessive wood-moisture and crawlspace humidity concerns, encapsulation with dehumidification is often necessary. This is an energy-efficient solution often described as “sealing the crawlspace.” Debris, such as fallen insulation, wood scraps and sharp objects are removed from the soil. A stronger 12mil reinforced liner is nailed to the foundation walls and support piers. The same liner is then used to fully cover the entire area of soil beneath the home. All overlapping seams are sealed with waterproof tape. The foundation vents are sealed airtight from the inside. The wood-moisture is controlled by a dehumidifier which can remove 60-85 pints of water per day. Condensation due to the mixing of hot and cold air over the course of several months each year, as well as evaporation from the soil, are the primary culprits dictating the need for encapsulation. When the wood-moisture content reaches 28%, wood decay develops and can lead to costly damage. Thankfully, there is no better solution for controlling post construction crawlspace humidity and condensation concerns! Our dehumidifiers are easy to maintain and come with a 5 year manufacturer’s warranty!
French Drains & Sump Pumps
A French drain is a trench dug by hand, usually along the interior foundation walls of the crawlspace, in order to remove standing water and minimize soil erosion. A four-inch perforated drain pipe is installed into the trenches. Drainage rock is poured over the pipe and filled to the soil level. This protects the pipe from clogging. The pipe leads unwanted water intrusion into a sump basin located at the lowest soil grade level(s) of the crawlspace.
A sump pump is used in basements and crawlspaces to help keep the area dry and prevent it from flooding. Sump pumps are installed in specially constructed areas called sump basins. Typical sump basins measure between 15 and 18 inches across and around 2 feet or greater in depth. A submersible sump pump is installed at the base of the sump basin. Water collected from the French drain fills the basin until the pump expels the water to the exterior and away from the foundation. Our pumps come with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty!
