4 weeks ago

Commercial Property Crawl Space Repair

Project date: January 2025

Location: Tualatin, Oregon

The Challenge

All of our clients who call us about crawl spaces issues in apartment complexes can expect detailed reports with dozens (potentially hundreds) of pictures and videos. These reports are great to send to out-of-state owners or on site maintenance managers who are not excited about going in these spaces.

This property manager had a known plumbing leak she wasn’t able to get fixed because the crawl space was flooded. After a thorough inspection and report to the owner, they decided to fix the neighboring unit because of their plans to sell the complex in the next five years.

The biggest challenge was completing the work as quickly as possible—not only to protect the owner’s investment but also to restore plumbing for the tenants and keep the management compliant with state regulations and lease agreements.

Our Solution

Clean out the crawl space
Install (2) sump pumps
Install drainage systems ending at the sump pumps (440’ of drainage installed)
Fix vent screens and rodent intrusion points
New vapor barrier down

This was the perfect solution for these clients. Now that the crawl spaces are clean, other trades can easily make repairs with minimal tenant complaints or disturbances. The sump pumps can easily be maintained by the on-site management with just a few minutes of work once a year.

Before and After Photos

It is probably obvious why they could not get anyone to go under their units to make needed repairs!

Insulation falling in apartment complex craw space

It was hard to tell if a frustrated contractor or a rodent did all this damage, but there was evidence it was both.

The water level in this unit had gotten high enough, at times, to start rotting the post.

After a clean out and pump out of the water the tradesman can make the repairs to turn plumbing and power back on for the tenants.

All debris removed.

Trench dug in apartment complex crawl space

These trenches are 9” x 9” and go around the entire building. Approx. 440’ was installed at this unit.

EZ-Flo installed in apartment complex crawl space

NDS EZ – Flo is installed in all trenches. EZ-Flo has a 100 year life span and 30% more flow capacity than traditional solutions. Better Basements is the only crawl space contractor in the Northwest that has made this obvious upgrade.

Sump pump installed in apartment complex crawl space

One basin is surrounded in gravel pictured here. This project had a total of four installed.

Vapor barrier replaced in apartment complex crawl space

Vapor barrier installed! Industry standard says a vapor barrier should last about 30 years if protected from water and outside damage. But we see properly installed vapor barriers in waterproofed crawl spaces lasting much longer.