Mold in Crawl Space Needs a Permanent Solution in Point Pleasant, NJ

Challenge

We were dispatched to a home in Point Pleasant, NJ to make improvements to a crawl space with chronic water and moisture issues. New Jersey homeowners, especially those who reside in coastal communities along the Jersey Shore, often find themselves dealing with groundwater intrusions and moisture from high indoor humidity in their crawl spaces. These problems often lead to structural or foundation damage, insect and wildlife infestations, dangerous mold growth, and unhealthy indoor air. This homeowner lives in an area where there is a high water table and where flooding is relatively common. His crawl space water and moisture problems had triggered extensive mold growth. We were there to take care of the mold problem and improve his crawl space to prevent future mold growth. 

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this particular job was the crawl space clearance. This crawl space was only 20 inches high! We often work inside crawl spaces where there is enough room to crouch or move around on your hands and knees. With this crawl space, the only way to move around was on your back using a mechanic’s creeper — similar to what auto mechanics use to roll under a vehicle to do their work. This was a particularly challenging job that we’ll remember. 

Solution

We equipped our Personal Protective Gear and treated every square inch of the area with our EPA-registered antimicrobial solution called Mold Abatement Polymer Solution 1, or MAPS 1. This product attacks mold on a cellular level and kills it instantly. We then used our mold stain remover, scrubbed away all the excess mold staining, and then applied our patented sealant MAPS 2. This application encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it harmless and non-allergenic. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and will reactivate whenever it gets wet to prevent future mold growth.

After treating the mold, we made some significant crawl space improvements so that it would stay clean and dry. To prevent mold growth, it is critical to keep out water and lower the indoor humidity level. To help keep this crawl space dry, we installed a heavy-duty 20-mil vapor barrier. This barrier is a specially engineered film made of layers of high density and low-density polyethylene. About three-quarters of the crawl space flooring was open soil, and the rest was a concrete slab. We covered the soil portion of the crawl space with this vapor barrier. Sand or soil crawl space floors are notorious for developing develop large amounts of water and moisture, which contaminates the entire crawl space. 

Next, we covered the vents to block outside air from entering. We prepped four frame openings with treated 2x4s along with four Everlast doors, installing them with handles and weather strips. These Everlast vent cover doors, while completely sealing the vents from the outdoor elements, are easy to open. All you need to do is twist a few knobs, and you’re in!  They can be installed against wood framing or masonry, and close off outside air and moisture from entering the crawl space through the exterior vents. Made with a hard durable plastic, they stand up to the worst weather conditions, and, unlike wood vents, they re completely maintenance-free. They never rot, warp, or crack and never need to be painted. We then foam blocked the remaining two remaining vents in order to permanently seal them. 

Finally, we installed a sump pump and dehumidifier. The sump pumps used in our crawl space waterproofing system, built with top-quality motors and components, are designed to handle high water volume and long run times. These pumps also have a battery backup system so they will work when they need to be working — even if you lose power! The pumps are housed in a durable plastic sump pump liner with an airtight cover so you don’t have to deal with an ugly open hole that can attract insects and rodents. We also installed a SaniDry dehumidifier that is specifically designed for crawl spaces. They work in temperatures as low as 40 degrees F, and are much more powerful than traditional dehumidifiers. This unit has the capacity to extract close to 14 gallons of water per day at 80 degrees F, if necessary. These dehumidifiers do not require human intervention. They operate automatically, turning on and off according to a built-in hygrometer that measures indoor relative humidity, and there is no water tray. These dehumidifiers connect directly into the drainage system so they never need to be emptied.