Top 3 Ways To Keep Your Crawl Space Dry

 Spring is right around the corner and for Indiana that means lots of rain as well. Now is the best time to make sure your homes crawl space stays dry. Protecting your crawl space against standing water is one of the best investments a homeowner can do. Standing water in the crawl space leads to expensive wood rot, musty smells and mold growth. Most of the air in your home you breath in comes directly from your crawl space. If your crawl space has standing water issues like mold growth, this mold also makes its way up into the air you breath in. Keeping your crawl space dry and free of standing water not only protects your home but also the health of everyone in it. Here are Top 3 Ways To Keep Your Crawl Space Dry. 

1. Positive Grading. The first step to ensuring your crawl space stays dry is to inspect the soil grading around your homes foundation. There are two type of soil grading around your home. The first being Negative Grading. Negative grading is when the soil around your foundation is sloped toward your house. This type of grading is bad. It allows storm water to drain toward your homes foundation and into the crawl space or basement. The second type of soil grading is positive grading. Positive grading is good. This is when the soil is sloped away from the homes foundation, allowing water to drain away from your home. Homeowners should inspect the soil grading around the entire foundation of the home. If negative grading is noticed, then more soil may need to be added to create a positive grade. Typically, a 5% slope is great for proper storm water drainage around the home. An easy way to think about it is a 5% slope translate to about a 6" drop per 10'. 

2. Down Spout Extensions. The second step to making sure your crawl space stays dry is making sure all your down spouts are properly extended away from your homes foundation. The roof of your home produces a large amount of water during rain storms. In fact, on a 1200sq.ft. roof 1" of rain will produce around 720 gallons of water. That is an extremely large amount of water that flows through your down spouts and into your yard. If your down spouts are not properly extended away from your home, all that water coming off your roof is then dump right next to your homes foundation. This not only leads to standing water issues in your crawl space, but can also lead to major foundation settling issues. Down spouts should be extended away from your home at a minimum of 10'-15'. This can vary depending of the property lay out. Some down spouts may need to be extended further if the yard is pretty flat or if there are negative grading issues. Extend the down spouts far enough away so that the water doesn't make it's way back to your foundation. This can be accomplished many different ways and can be extended either above the ground or below the ground. 

3. Crawl Space Drainage System. The third step to making sure your crawl space stays dry forever is to install a complete crawl space drainage system around the inside perimeter of the crawl space. In Indiana we tend to deal with high water table issues and have soil that does not allow water to drain very fast. Because of that, Indiana crawl spaces can still have major standing water issues even if the down spouts are extended and the soil has positive grade. When this happens the most effective, permanent solution is to install a interior crawl space drainage system with a sump basin and sump pump. This system collects and directs the water to the sump basin and sump pump which then pumps the water away from your house. For most, this is not a DIY project like the first two ways mentioned above. Homeowners who are dealing with standing water issues after completing the first two recommendations above should seek out a qualified crawl space waterproofing contractor to install a complete crawl space drainage system. In Indiana, our company SwainCo. Crawl Space and Basement Repair is the qualified crawl space waterproofing contractor to call for a complete crawl space drainage system. Click Here to find out more about Indy's most trusted crawl space waterproofer. 

Crawl Space Encapsulation Systems In Indiana

The crawl space encapsulation system, is a vapor barrier system designed to seal the crawl space off from the outside environment. Excessive moisture in the crawl space can cause many problems, such as mold growth, wood rot, musty smells, and foundation issues. A crawl space will typically get excessive moisture or water from the following three main areas. 

1. Floor-The crawl space dirt floor, much like the soil around the house, contains moisture. This moisture is constantly trying to evaporate, and when it does, it makes its way up through the house with a process called stack effect or the natural airflow of the house, which is from bottom to top.

2. Foundation Walls-Moisture or water seepage from the exterior foundation walls of home and into the crawl space also increase the moisture levels in the crawl space. Many times stopping foundation wall seepage can prove to be very difficult. Trying the stop the seepage involves excavating around the entire perimeter of the home to the depth of the footer and re-waterproofing the foundation itself. Many times this is not possible due items that have been built around the home, such as slab porches, garages, sidewalks, additions, ect.

3. Crawl Space Vents-The idea behind having a vented crawl space was to allow air flow into the crawl space to reduce moisture. In reality what crawl space vents can actually do is dramatically increase moisture levels in a crawl space. This is especial true during the summer months. During hot humid summer days, the outside air flowing into the crawl space from vents contains a large amount of moisture in it. This moisture is brought into the crawl space through the vents. The hot, humid air will also come into contact with cooler air, pipes, and duct work and create condensation which also will increase moisture levels in the crawl space. This is even more so true for Indiana crawl spaces due to the type of summers that we have. 

Because of these reasons, a complete crawl space encapsulation system is installed along the dirt crawl space floor and up the foundation walls. Sealing off areas that cause excessive moisture in the crawl space. Part of a complete crawl space encapsulation system is to also seal off all crawl space vents. If the crawl space vents are not sealed off in a crawl space that has a complete encapsulation system, it will actually work again the encapsulation system by causing more moisture. Vents that remain open will allow hot, humid air that contains a great deal of moisture to enter into the crawl space. For this reason, it is never recommended to open the crawl space vents when a complete crawl spaceencapsulation system is installed.  

For more information on crawl space encapsulation systems or crawl space vapor barriers in the Indianapolis, Indiana or the surrounding areas click here. 

Top 5 Crawl Space Waterproofing Tips

Spring time in Indiana is known for bringing some big rains, which can also bring some big headaches for Indiana homeowners who live above a crawl space. Waterproofing your crawl space is one of the most important things a homeowners can do. A wet crawl space can have an extreme negative effect on a home. Water in your crawl space can lead to expensive structurally wood damage, foundation failure, musty smells, and mold growth. All of which can lead to an unhealthy environment in the upstairs living area. This is because much of the air in the upstairs living area comes from the crawl space itself. This air moves up from crawl space and into the living area, carrying with it moisture, musty smells, and mold spores. A dry, waterproofed crawl space will protect your home from costly repairs and create a much healthier living area. Below are some of the more important steps to maintaining a dry, healthy crawl space.

1. Gutters - Spring time is a great time to make sure your gutters are cleaned from all debris. Clogged gutters will prevent water from your roof to flow freely through them. When gutters are clogged the water from your roof has no where to go but over the gutters and down right next to your crawl space foundation. This allows excessive amounts of water to run down next to your homes foundation increasing the chances of foundation issues and/or water in your crawl space.

2. Down Spouts - After the gutters are check and working properly, it's very important to make sure the down spouts from these gutters are installed far enough away from your homes foundation that the water from your roof is not dumping right next to your homes foundation. On a 1200 sq.ft. roof every 1" of rain will produce about 750 gallons of water. That is an extreme amount of water to just let dump right next to your homes foundation. Extending down spouts away from your home can help prevent costly foundation issues and unnecessary amounts of water in the crawl space.

3. Grading - Negative yard grading or yard grading that slopes toward your house instead of away from house can also lead to a wet crawl space. Ensure that your homes yard is graded in a way that any water runoff will run away from your homes foundation.

4. Sump Pump/Drainage - In many cases a homeowner can do all 3 steps listed above and still have a problem with standing water in the crawl space. These can be caused by a high water table and the type of soil around the house. In Indiana this is an all too common problem. To help reduce the chance for standing water in the crawl space a sump basin and sump pump may need to be installed along with proper drainage in the crawl space. If your crawl space has a sump pump, it's a good idea to check it multiply times throughout the year to ensure its working properly. If your sump pump is very old but still working, it may not be a bad idea to have it replaced anyway.

5. Vapor Barrier - A properly installed vapor barrier is also key to reducing excessive moisture in your crawl space that can lead to costly problems. Even if the crawl space has no signs of standing water, a vapor barrier is still a must. Moisture is consistently escaping up out of the dirt floor of your crawl space. A properly installed vapor barrier on the dirt crawl space floor will greatly reduce the amount of moisture coming up out of the dirt floor and into the living area.

For more information on maintaining a dry, healthy crawl space click here or visit www.swaincollc.com

Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Waterproofing Indianapolis

A wet crawl space can be a very big problem for Indiana homeowners. Water problems in your crawl space not only effect your crawl space, but also effect the living area above the crawl space. Water or even excessive moisture in your crawl space will eventually lead to mold growth, wood rot, and musty odors coming for the crawl space. Many times a standard 6mill plastic or vapor barrier is used to help keep moisture from escaping out of the ground and into the crawl space. These types of barriers only address a small area of concern when dealing with water or moisture in your crawl space, not to mention they are easily torn or moved by crawling on them. Excessive moisture in your crawl space not only comes from the dirt floor, but also comes from block seepage and from the foundation vents. Vents allow outside air into your crawl space. During the warmer months, this outside air can carry a high amount of moisture in it. Allowing that type of air into your crawl space will only add to the moisture that is already there. The most effective way to eliminate excessive moisture in your crawl space is to have the crawl space sealed off completely from the outside environment. This is done by completely encapsulating the crawl space. A proper crawl space encapsulation system needs to be thicker than a 6mill plastic. At SwainCo. Crawl Space and Basement Repair we install crawl space encapsulation systems using a tough 20mill waterproofing membrane. So tough we back it with a lifetime warranty on rips and tears. This crawl space encapsulation system is installed along the dirt crawl space floor and up the foundation walls, being permanently attached to the foundation itself. All foundation vents are then sealed from the inside as well to prevent excessive moisture coming into the crawl space from the outside air. If your crawl space has problems with standing water, than a lifetime warranty crawl space drainage system may need to be installed as well. To find out more information about how to transform your problem crawl space into a dry, healthy crawl space click here or call SwainCo. Crawl Space and Basement Repair-Indy's Original Experts at 317-407-1868

Crawl Space Services In Indianapolis, IN

Indiana spring weather can and usually does bring heavy amounts of rain. For those homeowners who live above a crawl space, spring tends to be a very problematic time of the year. The melting of snow combined with the intense rain leads to many water problems for Indiana crawl spaces. The outside soil becomes very saturated with water, allowing moisture and water to seep through foundation blocks and rise through the ground and into the crawl space. Without a proper crawl space drainage system, this water in the crawl space than begins to add additional problems for the house. Standing water in your crawl space causes musty smells in the living area, possible mold growth on the structure components, and expensive crawl space wood damage. 40% of the air in the upstairs living area actually comes from the crawl space. This is caused by stack effect, or the natural air flow of the home being from bottom to top. The air flow carries with it the moisture, mold spores, and smells from the crawl space into the living area. Which is why the health of your crawl space is such an important issue not only for your crawl space, but for the rest of the living area in your home. Ensuring your crawl space stays healthy starts by keeping your crawl space dry from standing water. This can be done by a number of methods, including crawl space drainage systems, sump pumps, downspout extensions, and even going further by installing a crawl space encapsulation system. Benefits of a crawl space encapsulation system range from removing musty smells to lowering energy cost. To find out more information on how to keep your crawl space healthy click here or visit www.swaincollc.com  

Crawl Space Drainage Systems in Indianapolis

Wet Crawl Space in Indianapolis

Due to the large amount of water that the Indianapolis area has seen in the last few weeks, many crawlspaces in Indianapolis are experiencing water problems. A flooded crawl space can cause major issues for an Indianapolis homeowner. Water in your crawl space is the number one cause for crawl space mold, crawl space wood damage, and possible crawl space foundation failure. During heavy periods of rain, a crawl space will typically get water seeping in the foundation walls or coming up through the ground as the water table raises. A sump basin and sump pump alone will help keep standing water in your crawl space down but will not eliminate it completely. To ensure your crawl space stays dry permanently, a full perimeter drainage system needs to be installed. A full perimeter crawl space drainage system will greatly reduce the chance of crawl space problems such as crawl space mold and crawl space wood damage. If your crawl space gets standing water or your unsure if your crawl space gets wet, call SwainCo. at 317-294-5278 for a free inspection and estimate on how to keep your crawl space problem free permanently. Or visit www.swaincollc.com for more information on Indianapolis crawl space repairs.