Crawl Space Repair Before & After Photos

In Frenchburg, KY, the homeowner of a 20-year-old house faced a challenge with a 2-foot clearance crawl space plagued by moisture issues, leading to potential structural risks and unpleasant odors. In the before photo, see the impact of excess moisture affecting the environment within. By installing our CleanSpace® encapsulation system as highlighted in the after photo, we created a barrier that effectively manages dampness, turning the area into a clean, secure foundation. Trust in The Basement Doctor of Central Kentucky ensures peace of mind and longstanding results.

This drenched crawl space looked like a rainforest before we came and encapsulated it. We first waterproofed the crawl space, then we installed a vapor barrier, then we sealed the crawl space vents, then we set up a dehumidification system. These four steps will ensure a dry crawl space for a long time. 

This before and after shows why the conventional vented crawl space theory is not practical. You see, a lot of home builders figure installing some vents in the walls, placing a thin plastic "barrier" over a gravel floor, and insulating with fiberglass in the floor joists are enough for a crawl space. After all, they are following a coded standard, and maybe that's where the problem lies. Either way, vented crawl spaces let moisture run rampant, and only really work in climates that are dry 24/7. By encapsulating the crawl space, as seen here, moisture is eliminated. This means healthy breathing air, and a healthy long-lasting crawl space. Also note the silver insulation panels we installed along the wall, which eliminates the need for nasty fiberglass in the ceiling.

This homeowner had a crawl space with a thin plastic barrier covering the floor. The homeowner quickly realized that they were going to need more than that to keep their crawl space healthy, so they give us a call to install a sump pump system, a dehumidification system, an encapsulation system, an insulation system, and a sealed access door. Having just a thin layer of plastic on a crawl space floor isn't enough to stop moisture from rising into your crawl space, and its important to take all the necessary steps to guarantee a healthy crawl space. 

One of the most frustrating issues we encounter is the continued use of outdated and ineffective crawl space construction methods—often a result of outdated building codes and insufficient regulation. The crawl space is a critical component of any home’s structure and overall health, yet despite decades of research and proven advancements, many homes are still being built with vented, dirt-floored, and fiberglass-insulated crawl spaces that simply do not stand the test of time.

Such was the case for a homeowner in East Bernstadt, whose relatively new home was already showing signs of serious crawl space deterioration. When they reached out to us, we explained the wealth of research supporting modern, closed crawl space systems and the long-term value they provide. After reviewing their options, the homeowner decided to move forward with a professional crawl space repair.

We began work the following week, and upon completion, their home was equipped with a properly treated crawl space designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce moisture issues, and significantly extend the life of the home.