Sagging Crawlspace Becomes Encapsulated for Home in Smithshire, IL
Challenge
James began to notice a troubling trend in his home: his floors were visibly sagging. Recognizing that structural issues only worsen with time, he contacted MidAmerica Basement Systems for a professional evaluation.
Upon inspection, our team identified a common but serious culprit—an untreated crawlspace. The open dirt floor was allowing raw moisture to evaporate into the structure. This persistent humidity was infiltrating the wooden floor joists, causing the wood to soften and lose its load-bearing capacity, ultimately leading to the "dipping" James felt underfoot.
Solution
To stop the decay and stabilize the home, we proposed a total crawlspace encapsulation. This system doesn't just mask the problem; it completely isolates the home from the earth.
Key Installation Steps:
- Moisture Management: We laid down specialized Drainage Matting over the dirt floor to collect incoming water and channel it toward the drainage point.
- Active Water Discharge: A SmartSump™ pump system was installed to automatically eject collected water away from the foundation.
- Permanent Vapor Barrier: The team wrapped the foundation walls and floor in CleanSpace® Liner. This heavy-duty, antimicrobial vapor barrier creates a permanent seal against ground moisture.
By transforming the crawlspace into a dry, conditioned environment, we eliminated the source of the wood rot. James no longer has to worry about the structural integrity of his floor joists being compromised by humidity. With a sealed system in place, his home is now protected from decay, ensuring it remains stable and "level-headed" for decades to come.