Crawl spaces are like that forgotten junk drawer in your kitchen—out of sight, out of mind, and usually full of unpleasant surprises. But unlike that drawer, your crawl space can actually mess with your home’s structure, air quality, and energy bills. If yours is damp, musty, or smells it’s probably time to waterproof it.
Luckily, we know a thing or two about waterproofing a crawlspace. So, let’s talk about what methods are actually used to waterproof a crawlspace, and why they matter if you like things like breathing clean air and not paying thousands in foundation repairs.
1. Vapor Barrier: The Moisture Forcefield
If your crawl space doesn’t have a vapor barrier, you might as well lay out a welcome mat for humidity. A vapor barrier is a thick plastic sheet (usually 6 to 20 mils thick—yes, thickness matters) that gets laid over the dirt floor to block moisture from seeping up from the ground.
Think of it like a raincoat for your crawl space—but way more useful. At Better Basements, we install heavy-duty vapor barriers that actually stay in place and don’t crumble after a season like that cheap roll you found at the hardware store.
2. Crawl Space Encapsulation: The Full Spa Treatment
Encapsulation is the VIP treatment of crawl-space waterproofing. It’s not just a plastic sheet tossed on the floor—it’s the full package: walls, floor, support piers, the works. Once encapsulated, your crawl space is sealed tighter than traffic on I-5 during a Ducks game.
We’re talking complete moisture control, reduced humidity, better air quality, and even lower energy bills. Plus, your HVAC system will stop wheezing like it just ran a marathon in a rainforest.
3. Interior Drainage System: Because Water Always Finds a Way
If water keeps creeping in, you’ll need an interior drainage system. This usually includes a network of perforated pipes installed along the perimeter of your crawl space that channels water to—wait for it—a sump pump.
Without drainage, that water’s just going to sit there making things worse. With drainage, it gets out before it causes mold, wood rot, or structural problems you really don’t want to discover during your next home inspection.
4. Sump Pump: The Unsung Hero
The sump pump is the unsung hero of crawl space waterproofing. It doesn’t get the spotlight, but it does the dirty work—literally. It takes all that groundwater collected by your drainage system and directs it out of your crawlspace for good.
Pro tip: get a sump pump with a battery backup. Power outages and storms tend to happen at the same time, and the last thing you want during a monsoon is a non-functioning pump sitting there like, “Good luck!”
5. Dehumidifier: Moisture’s Worst Enemy
You’ve sealed it up. You’ve drained the water. Now let’s dry the air. A high-capacity dehumidifier can help keep the relative humidity under control and prevents mold from sticking in your crawlspace.
Crawlspace waterproofing isn’t optional if you value your home’s health (and your own). It’s not just about avoiding puddles—it’s about protecting your foundation, your indoor air quality, and your investment.
At Better Basements, we don’t cut corners—we seal them. So if you’re tired of the mystery smells and moisture-induced anxiety, give us a shout. We’ll turn your crawl space from horror movie set to clean, dry, and drama-free.
Get a free crawlspace inspection today because pretending the crawl space doesn’t exist won’t stop the mold.