Crawl Space Repair in South East Michigan
Why should I worry about crawl space waterproofing?
Air in your home flows from the bottom to the top. Based on the principal that warm air rises, as the air in your home is heated, it moves up though your house. Once the air makes it way up to the roof, it will normally be vented out though the soffits or ridge vent.
So where does all this air come from? Surprisingly the majority is not from windows and doors but instead from your crawl space! In older, more "leaky homes", air can fully pass through your house at a rate of two changes per hour.
Building professionals say that up to 50% of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home is air that came directly from your crawl space. Therefore, whatever is in your crawl space air is in your house and you are breathing it.
Moisture in your crawl space can lead to:
- Higher humidity in your living spaces.
- Health issues related to mold and mildew spores throughout your home.
- Damp and musty odors in your home.
- Higher heating and cooling costs.
- Rodent and insect infestations.
- Increased allergic reactions.
- Condensation on foundation walls and air conditioning duct work.
- Warped hardwood floors.
- Cold tile and flooring above the crawl space.
Benefits to Having FSM Encapsulate and Seal Your Crawl Space.
With a Foundation Systems encapsulation system you will not only stop crawl space leaks, and control moisture but also gain back a little piece of mind.
Keeping your budget in mind, FSM offers three different types of encapsulation and vapor barrier systems. Depending on what crawl space waterproofing outcome/benefits you are looking to achieve, we will have the solution for you.
CRAWL SPACE VAPOR BARRIER SYSTEM ADVANTAGES
- Reduces allergens such as mold and dust mites throughout the home.
- Deters bugs, spiders, rodents and termites.
- Insulates crawlspace and reduces energy costs.
- Creates a clean, dry, sanitary, usable storage area.
- No more musty smells
- Eliminates excessive, destructive mold and moisture.
- Greatly improves indoor air quality throughout the entire home.
- Reduces the No. 1 source for entry of radon gas into the home.
The CleanSpace Vapor Barrier System VS. Other Systems*
| Complete CleanSpace System | Others | |
| Completely seals the crawl space? | Yes — Completely seals the walls and floors | No |
| Antimicrobal? | Yes — Includes "UltraFresh" antimicrobal additive | No |
| Insulates crawl space (a major source of heat loss)? | Yes — Insulates and reflects heat | No |
| Thick, durable liner? | Yes — 20-mil, poly-reinforced crawl space liner holds up to service worker access. Deters insects and rodents. | No |
| Compatible with a sump pump and drainage system? | Yes — The CleanSpace waterproofing system includes a sump pump, drainage matting and energy efficient dehumidifier. | No |
| Reliable, trustworthy product design? | Yes — Meets all residential and commercial building codes. Backed by the Basement Systems International Waterproofing Network. | No |
| 25 year manufacturer's warranty? | Yes — Includes a written, tranferable 25-year warranty for quality and durability. | No |
Vaporloc Elite Advantage VS. Other Systems*
| Vaporloc Elite System | Others | |
| Zero perm? | Yes — 0.000 perm rating — stops all moisture | No |
| Antimicrobal? | Yes — will not support growth of mold, mildew or fungus | No |
| Insulates crawl space (a major source of heat loss)? | Yes — Insulates and reflects heat | No |
| Drain Fabric beneath liner? | Yes — disperses soil gases, enhances drainage, cushions floor and protects liner. | No |
| Fire Retardant. Class A/ Class 1 rated with low smoke spread? | Yes — meets residential and commercial building codes. | No |
| 25 year manufacturer's warranty? | Yes — no fine print — 25-year warranty | No |
THE CRAWL SPACE PRODUCTS THAT MATTER
 Sump Pumps |
 Dehumidifiers |
 Insulation |
Problems with an Open, Unsealed Crawl Space
Traditionally crawl spaces had vents that were supposed to relieve excess moisture from the air keeping the crawl space dry. Experts now know that this does not work, but instead allows much more variation in humidity creating much more moisture. Check out the graph below or learn more about venting in our resource center showing how important it is to close the vents and completely seal the crawl space.
Preparing for Crawl Space Repair
Most crawl space issues are related to the ventilation system used in older construction methods. To learn more about the old technique, and why it should never be used please check out this video by Advanced Energy. And don't forget to have your crawl space insulated by Foundation Systems of Michigan.
Additionally:
- Take a walk around your home and look for areas that water collects.
- Check gutters for debris and make sure downspouts extend at least 8 feet from your home.
Our service area includes but it's not limited to Ann Arbor, Warren, Sterling Heights, Flint, Clinton, Dearborn, Troy, Farmington Hills, Canton, Southfield, Westland, Waterford, Detroit and the surrounding areas.
Free Crawl Space Inspection
If you're not sure where to start, or know you need professional help contact our crawl space experts for a free inspection. We are more than happy to come out, take a look, and provide you specific details on how you can protect your crawl space!
