Crawl Space Moisture: How To Keep It Out

www.jeswork.com/ | JES Answers Your Crawl Space Moisture - Visit www.jeswork.com/crawlspace-rep... or www.jeswork.com/blog/ for more answers to your Crawl Space Questions!

[@metablue4454]

Thanks for mentioning the conditions outside the house. I've watched a number of crawl space companies presentations and you're the first to mention the outside!!!!

[@timdestasio3367]

Great video I am an HVAC licensed contractor and technician and building performance envelope analyst in North Carolina and this is a great explanation that I could pass on to my customers that is simple but accurate.

[@alan19844]

Thank you very much for this very informative posting! Much appreciated!

[@gsogso3444]

Thank you. Very informative

[@Tinyteacher1111]

I had mold toxicity a few years ago, and it was terrible! Now my grown son has all the neurological and psychological aspects of this from living in a moldy environment. It’s been a nightmare, and the doctors don’t buy into this being an issue because they were never taught it in med school; however things will need to change quickly, or regular doctors will be out of jobs. I find this fascinating, and necessary! Thanks

[@troostye]

Pretty helpful, thanks

[@annettekunin6426]

Thank you for the knowledge.

[@neilswiger8066]

...thanks for the helpful info...

[@paradigmshift3775]

Thank you Brother

[@brentclement9097]

Deeply appreciated your video. After my wife complained of a musky smell in her office in our home, I inspected the crawl space and discovered standing water, about an inch deep in places, most but not all under the vapor barrier. We had a previous problem with water coming in from the outside foundation vents in some places whenever it rained or snowed. I installed window well guards on that side of our home (now about 12 years old). I bought two news high velocity fans and dried out everything as best I could. Problem solved? No. Two years later, we have water again and it is difficult to identify the source. Last night, however, it rained very heavily and a friend came over and inspected the outside area of the impacted area. He noticed that a good portion of the water coming off of the roof (we have around 2,700 sf) and became suspected that this was the culprit.. We placed a 5-gallon bucketed under the chain coming down from the rain gutter and collected 5 gallons of water within 2 minutes. That down spout (chain) is right in one of the areas of the crawl space with standing water. There does not appear to be any kind of a storm drain in the area where the water is coming down. The home is well built, but it appears that either there is storm drain where needed. I will down and see, but shouldn't the foundation be water-proofed? Maybe I am counting too much on this being the source of my problem. Your thoughts? Brent Clement Meridian, Idaho [e-mail]

[@JESFoundationRepair]

Hi Randall! Sounds like you want to be certain before sealing things up. That is smart! The first step in creating a dry, healthy crawl space environment is to address any ground water related issues. To do so, a drainage system and pump may be required to capture and discharge the water outside the crawl space. JES provides FREE inspections and can provide a proposal for the suggested repairs. Let us come out and take a look for you.

[@tonycaruso1702]

Liked your informative video. One question was the point you made about air flow vents being open or closed. I thought they needed to be open at all times to allow air to flow thru, but obviously, that is incorrect. I just unclogged several to allow air flow. We live in SC where the humidity is reasonably high, but have had so much rain these last 6 months and never any previous problem in a 17-year-old home, that I suspect this is a temporary situation. Maybe a small dehumidifier would be a first step???

[@mikebender411]

Good Info

[@nickalf5756]

Appreciate it thanks

[@julianfrancis7011]

it was really good

[@lboiv001]

I live in Florida (HIGH humidity - rains all summer). When stucco was applied to my wood frame house by the previous owners, they did not add enough vents (3 small ones on a 900 square foot house). Thus, rainwater had collected under the house for a long time in the summer, and termites and wood rot became a problem. Short of spending huge money on an encapsulation or sump pump installation, should I not just be fine with adding more crawlspace vents and/or a crawlspace exhaust vent fan?

[@creolelady182]

Just what I needed. I plan to get a Trane Unit and I have a crawlspace. I do not wnat mice and other rodents getting into the unit. The crawl space is vented. My question is what kind of material do I use to cover vents and still maintain ventilation in the crawl space>

[@lookylooky100]

What can you do about condensation coming from the air conditioning unit under the house ?

[@lookylooky100]

What kind of dehumidifier would you suggest that I don't have to go under the house every few weeks to empty it out ? Can I get a cheap fan and put it in the crawlspace close to the vents ? We just laid down some plastic under the house just a few hours ago end we found mold . What is the best way to get rid of that mole ? Can I go under the house with a bleach solution ? Thanks for your time

[@donaldlee9992]

This is a great video, basically just common sense but until you hear is said, it probably never entered your mind. I have one question, if you add a french drain to drain out water that enters your crawlspace during the heaviest of rains, then after the rain event is over the very bottom of the french drain trench will remain damp since a french drain won't move the last 1/8 or 1/16 inch of remaining water in the trench. Do you just leave the bottom of the french drain damp and cover the trench with plastic encapsulation, or is it preferable to not cover the trench under encapsulation to allow the damp dirt to air dry into the crawlspace, which would raise the humidity for a few days as the damp dirt dry's out?

[@vaneymarcoslara]

Sooo.....how do we go about the solutions????

[@rogerbastian5176]

What would you recommend for a trailer?

[@rjhartmann2010]

My crawl space was flooded. Got the water out and removed vapor barrier so the dirt could dry out. Closed up the vents and put a dehumidifier in but after several days the dirt is still damp. Can I seal the floor and walls without getting the dirt dry first because it doesn't look like it is getting any drier?

[@daddybear7062]

My crawlspace has a slop coat concrete slab, The house is a long ranch in New Jersey. My dryer vent came loose in the crawlspace for how long I’m not sure. My main joist has crowned over an inch around the five concrete pillars it rests on. Several floor Joists have completely disintegrated . The pink panther fiberglass insulation was completely soaked, I removed and threw it away. Am I pretty much screwed on this or should I involve the homeowners insurance company

[@michaelkiser7405]

wonder if you would share with us what you use to glue the plastic up on the brick or concrete foundations? i tried a type of caulk that it just seperated from later... could not really find what would be best online.. so many different suggestions...

[@jponyboyace]

Can I leave my crawl space grates open in the summer?...all y ac pipes r wet.....sounds like I should keep area closed up in summer months?

[@rudesoto]

How do you control humidity levels

[@quiyao]

how can I replace the crawl space vent ?

[@marwin4038]

In a crawl space (note: space is about 5' tall) if water is coming up from ground source should should foundation drain pipes first be installed and then a conditioner? Or are there conditioners designed to handle the job?

[@timbell9901]

What should the humidity level be in you’re crawl space?using dehumidifier what is the proper setting to use thanks

[@NordicaTundra]

Well how do i prevent humidity build up in crawlspace?

[@andrescosta2992]

Another way... for moisture is the A/C meets the warm air in the bsmt...in the summer....insulation hanging ...wood roating &...we keep breathing all bacteria from bsmt. They sold the house knowing it isnt ready yet...& made their $$$. Contractor...the RE... I am sick of it. I never had allergies in my life....but since I bought this house.... Allergies almost everyday. 1st house with this issue. We supposed to control the humidity..... have a Sum Pump......just like having a blue swimming pool......U need a guy each week..... And if U live near the water......maybe summer time its nice....but in winter that bsmt it's a nightmare. Loaded w/water.... a Racoon lives down there scratching looking for food. And if is a Crwalspace ....& U in your 60s....or sick spending $$..... I say...dont fall in love with a house...with a bsmt issue. Many times...the house location it's bad. Now U know...if buying a house.... w/a finished bsmt....all cleaned up. U move in.....& in 6 months the mold starts to take over. Ohh I forgot......ck if U have a " Subfloor "......'cause ...dust & allergies.....are 24/7. Big suggestion.......hired a inspection ingeneer......$500.- it's worth it.

[@mataalds]

My house roof was burn and it has been raining a lot. I tried covering the roof but wind keeps uncovering the roof. Now I have my basement wet. How do I dry and treat my basement support wood frame ? Wood is wet and starting to have mold . Any solution or help would be greatly appreciated.

[@jimmywebster1823]

Should I open or close my crawl space vents? I have no water entering the crawl. My crawl space door is well sealed. I live in North Carolina!

[@COSMACELF1802]

At 2:20, you're pointing to a GAS pipe. If that's leaking, you have a more serious problem than just moisture in your crawl space. If you smell gas, do not light a match to see where it's coming from.... Thanks for your video, I have a bunch of questions. Should I close the crawlspace vents and install a dehumidifier or is it just better to keep the vents open and let the crawl space breath? I mean, what's the purpose of vents if not to be open?

[@Angelfaceky]

My house is unlivable due to Black mole everywhere, of a wall removed for a wine celler??Help!! I bought back in 2017

[@markbroad119]

Ahaha I love the part where you point to a gas pipe and say moisture from leaky pipes, Ahaha

[@brentclement9097]

I have a challenge with outside moisture seeping into the crawl space of my home. Part of the problem is a changing landscape around our foundation. The home was built 12 years ago in the Meridiian, ID area. After the ground settled, the slope, rather than away from the house, was ever so slightly tilted downward toward the foundation. Every time it rains heavily, we see water seeping into the the crawl space. I have been able to reverse the slope on one of the worst problem sides of the house, but on the opposite side (our home is approximately 2,720 SQ FT) the downward slope cannot be corrected through bringing in more soil as there is soil and rock right up to the beginning of the wall siding. I will compromise the siding if I pack in more dirt to get the slope right. I have dried out everything else and installed French style drains out of the downspouts. As I look at the home foundation from inside the crawlspace, however, there are plenty of stains showing water has seeped in, either though the window wells, or through the cement -- in multiple areas of the home.. Any suggestions of what I can do? If I can prevent water from coming inside the crawl space from outside, I believe I can resolve the problem.

[@miked5106]

Why is their ROCK (do u mean crushed rocker or river stone?) And soil? If you have any type of stone near the foundation (Other than for drainage) remove it, as it allows water to collect, and push against foundation. Then back fill with soil and grade away from home.

[@deanjones7220]

Good morning Brent, Reach out to Crawlspace Ninja. They have a DIY Department that can walk you through and support you in your repair process. I have been very pleased this far. Hope this helps!

[@elizabethquinn6561]

Didn't really learn how to control the humidity inside the crawl space.

[@stephenplantone9720]

If you think the insulation has any mold growth would you replace it before encapsulation?

[@miked5106]

If you remove the moisture the mold will die.

[@TheDerek47]

What can you do about the water from the rising water table pooling in your crawl space?

[@stephaniescott294]

+Jesse Waltz, PE are you all in the Chicago area

[@kcmaldonado3948]

Do you have sump system?

[@cleatusspengler2940]

French drain and pump systems

[@erikk6604]

OK, but what about rainwater that runs down the outside of the house? Yes, I could add gutters to help with the rain that hits my roof. But what about rain that blows onto the siding of the house? My manufactured/mobile home has pavement that comes to within roughly one inch of the skirting. Can I add some trim along the bottom of the home that diverts rainwater onto the pavement, so the water doesn't just drip down onto the soil around my crawlspace's perimeter? Such trim might need to be suspended slightly above the pavement, to allow other moisture to evaporate from that soil. Also, I could add a very long line of caulk along the edge of the pavement, to stop water from falling over the edge and onto the soil. Is there any good way to handle that source of moisture? Thank you Jesse for your informative video.

[@patrickcarpenter9414]

So pointing to a gas line going to a water heater as a possible source of water in a crawl space would make me question everything you just said.

[@Eddybarrett84]

DUCTLESS HEATING IN AIR WITH INVERTER COMPRESSOR... NO DUCTWORK UNDER HOUSE.... EASIER TO WORK AND GET AROUND WITHOUT THE DOOR WORK WAY MORE Energy-efficient.... Home hvac will will slowly change to European model ductless

[@agnesgodfrey5148]

Should vents be open or close to prevent moisture under a crawl space

[@JESFoundationRepair]

Hi Agnes! Open crawl space vents let in moisture. Here's a link for more information: www.jeswork.com/services/crawl-space-repair/

[@2000ViperGTSsubscribe]

100% do your gutters and downspouts FIRST!

[@elmermt]

You did not show how to fix the problem, you only advertice your company. Good Video

[@mainelyelectric]

If you watch your video you will notice that you were pointing to a gas pipe on the pipe leaking bubble by the water heater telling people that moisture's going to come from I think you should edit your video that's misleading!!! Just saying!

[@Brandon-no3vc]

why build a crawlspace?

[@emmanuelgutierrez8616]

Replace the how to keep it out, with who to call. Baited. 1,2,3 steps at the end shouldve been shown to be a how to video.

[@LookAtMediaFL]

Okay, so you identified the problems but not any of the solutions. I get it that you want new customers but in this case, your title is very misleading. Being purposely misleading would make me think hard about hiring you.

[@jonibarnett2915]

This did not tell HOW to keep it out.

[@joalessia9125]

Yeah ,you didn't say how to stop it,I have water coming under my moble home from rain ,and I don't know how to stop it ,sand bags???

[@antoniobribiesca5819]

Looks like this gay never answer no questions.

[@LookAtMediaFL]

Okay, so you identified the problems but not any of the solutions. I get it that you want new customers but in this case, your title is very misleading. Being purposely misleading would make me think hard about hiring you.