Crawl Space Waterproofing and Encapsulation for a Long-Term Solution in Millington, TN

Donna P. of Millington, TN has lived in her home since 1993 and has long been frustrated by persistent earthy odors coming from her crawl space. As she prepares for retirement in the next few years, she wants to ensure her home is properly sealed and protected before moving to a fixed income. Her property features a half walk-in basement and half crawl space, separated by a CMU (concrete masonry unit) wall with a small 2x2 access door positioned at chest height. The dirt crawl space has over 24 inches of headroom, but there is an existing trench running along the entry wall where a sump pump is already installed. While a thin vapor barrier had previously been placed in the space, it was insufficient to prevent moisture buildup and musty odors from affecting the indoor air quality of her home.

To fully resolve these issues, we recommended a full crawl space encapsulation using SilverGlo™ insulation, which will provide long-term moisture control and improved energy efficiency. We will also remove the existing insulation from the crawl space while leaving the basement insulation intact, as requested. Additionally, Donna asked if we could remove a thin green plastic sheeting from the crawl space; we assured her that if space allowed, we would take it with us, otherwise, we would at least move it to the basement for easier disposal. The existing sump pump near the entry trench will be properly integrated into the new system, with the discharge line extending into a flower bed on the exterior of the foundation. With only a short section of pipe to bury (approximately four feet), the installation will be minimally invasive while ensuring proper drainage.

During our evaluation, we also discussed additional improvements, including adding a dehumidifier in the basement to further control humidity levels, which Donna is considering for a future upgrade. We also inspected her front raised porch and a 25x27 parking pad, where we identified some settlement issues in one section (6x8 feet), which had tilted two inches towards the house. We set clear expectations regarding the effectiveness of PolyLevel™ concrete injection to correct this issue, while also discussing our two-part crack repair and protection for the parking pad, though she decided to prioritize her crawl space for now. By completing this full crawl space encapsulation, Donna is taking proactive steps to protect her home from moisture damage, improve indoor air quality, and enhance energy efficiency, ensuring her property remains in excellent condition for years to come.

If you need help with your crawl space, call or click today for a free, no-obligation inspection.