The Best Dirt Crawl Space Solution- And The Worst

Maybe you don't have pools of water in your crawl space, or maybe you have a reliable sump pump to deplete the water from your crawl space.

 

However, you still have a dirt crawl space, and, therefore, have a water vapor issue.

 

You might know that water vapor (and the bugs) that come from the earth will do long-lasting damage to your home. But did you know that not all solutions for this problem are made equally? 

 

Criteria For A Great Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Solution 

When deciding how to isolate your crawl space (and your home) from the earth, there are a few important considerations to make. The solution must:

• Stop water vapor from flowing up from the soil
• Stop water vapor from flowing through or off the crawl space walls
• Allow water to drain from the walls to the sump location
• Allow water to drain from the floor to the sump location
• Not get ruined when someone crawls on it
• Be durable so it lasts as long as the house does 
• BONUS! Be treated with an antimicrobial ingredient so mold and bacteria will not grow on it.

So, let's look at some solutions to see whether we should consider them.

Concrete Floors—No Way!

Concrete floors for your crawl space—unless combined with ways to drain the walls and floor, and ways to stop the water vapor from the walls and floors—are NOT the answer. 

 

It's true that the concrete won't get ruined when someone crawls on it, and that it will last many years. But, truth be told, water vapor goes right through concrete, especially a thin layer of concrete—such as might be installed in a crawl space. 

 

Don't get us wrong: You can solve these problems. To stop water vapor from the floor, you'll have to lay down a vapor barrier at least 6 mil thick before pouring the concrete. And, you also need something to let water flow under it that. So, you'd need to put down a layer of clean stone or gravel before laying down the vapor barrier and pouring the concrete. Then, you'll need to drain the walls. Most crawl space walls are made of concrete block and easily leak. While you can put 6 mil plastic on the walls, most easily tear apart. You may be able to run the plastic from the floor up the walls nad attach a wire mesh to the wall over the plastic. Then, a stucco coat of concrete can be applied to the walls before the floor is poured.

 

That is, if you can spread concrete into your small crawl space safely, and without adding extra water into the concrete mix to make it flow easier, which weakens the concrete and makes it crack as it dries. 

 

While you can make concrete work as a crawl space solution, the cost and challenges of preparing for it and placing it, well, makes it hard to argue that it's the best option. 

Thin Plastic Liners—Popular, But Not Reliable

A popular solution is to lay down 6 mil thin plastic on crawl space floors, but it easily gets ruined when someone crawls on it, and it doesn't last as long as the home does. Furthermore, it's very difficult to attach to walls and can be easily pulled down. Contractors and homeowners report that 6 mil poly has to be repaired all the time, and it's just not enough to ensure that your home doesn't rot due to water vapor. In some ways, it's the worst solution because it's the most negligent. 

CleanSpace©—The Ultimate Crawl Space Encapsulation Solution

CleanSpace© is a heavy 20 mil thick plastic liner, similar to a pool liner, that can be fitted in your crawl space to completely and permanently seal off your home from the earth. It's created with multiple layers of plastics with different characteristic for flexibility, as well as puncture and tear resistance. It's incredibly durable, and will last as long the house, staying wherever you install it. Even better? CleanSpace is bright white, which dramatically transforms your crawl space from the nasty pit it was to one you wouldn't hesitate to slide into. 

 

Additionally, CleanSpace© has an antimicrobial additive manufactured into the material, preventing mold growth on the liner! 

 

It satisfies all our criteria, even features that we'd consider a bonus. That's why we offer it to our homeowners, and even provide a 25 year warranty against rips and tears. If you'd like a FREE estimate for your home, don't hesitate to reach out!