All-Dry of the Carolinas Before & After Photos

There are many different ways for moisture and water to get into a crawlspace. Most often we see the majority of moisture coming through the ground and walls of the crawlspace. However, there are many other places that moisture can get into the crawlspace, through small cracks, where pipes exit the crawlspace and a number of other places. One place that many people may not realize a lot of moisture can get in is the entrance to the crawlspace, which is usually a wood door with some kind of latch.

Unfortunately, this homeowner didn't have a great door to seal up the entrance to their crawlspace. Something is always better than nothing, but just because a door is covering up an area does not mean that moisture can't get into the crawlspace. Fortunately, our System Design Specialist knew how serious of an issue that could be and suggested that during our installation, that we also include an EverLast door to replace the old one!

The new door was a welcome addition to the crawlspace of this home. The EverLast door ensures an airtight seal around the entrance to the crawlspace. This is important because it is just another way to better seal off the crawlspace and keep as much moisture out as possible. It is also made out of inorganic material which means that mold won't be able to grow on it and the homeowner won't have to worry about it rotting away. 

Crawlspaces shouldn’t have dirt floors. There, I said it. They shouldn’t have dirt floors, and yet thousands of them do. Millions of them have dirt floors and there’s nothing we can do to stop this phenomenon short of outlawing it. Until it is outlawed, we will continue to suggest putting down a durable, thick barrier to protect your home.

What are the dangers a dirt floor presents? Besides allowing water vapor to fill the air and gases to scoot through the house, it can raise your electric bill exponentially.  Honestly, what’s worse than an electric bill you were not prepared for?

What our CleanSpace liner does is become the last liner of defense from the earth. Our liner is expertly sealed and flawless. Unlike many other liners, it’s 20 mills thick and reinforced with polyester cords. This makes it durable and nearly impossible to rip accidentally. CleanSpace is the perfect solution for a bad situation. Take a look at this Brevard, North Carolina crawlspace. Notice what it was and what it has become.

See the difference?

Unique cases are often some of our favorites here at All-Dry of the Carolinas. This Brevard, North Carolina home had a crawlspace and basement combination. The crawlspace area (depicted here) had a liner pulled tight against the dirt floor. It had this liner, but it was not contributing to the overall protection of the home. It was thin, and not completely reliable. While it covered the majority of the dirt floor, it was not secured. There was no single sheet. The liner was a collection of sheets haphazardly banded together. It couldn’t really be trusted.

What’s the solution?

CleanSpace, our patented liner, and an Aprilaire dehumidifier are the tried and true solution. The CleanSpace provides the perfect barrier from the earth, while the dehumidifier removes all moisture from the air. There has never been a more perfect team.

Our Design Specialists and crew go to a lot of trouble to make sure all products function in the most effective way possible.  This means taking the time to measure, to plan, and to review the subject at hand. Before we install any product, we have to make sure that the product can “work” in that space. We do this with all things, including our sump pumps. To function as they were designed, the sump must be placed at the lowest point in the crawlspace or basement. This insures that all water will eventually flow towards that point.

Before installing our SuperSump pump in this Brevard, North Carolina basement, that is what we attempted to do. We often attempt to accommodate other factors as well, but this is one of the most pressing during installation. Sometimes, the SuperSump is accompanied by WaterGuard. This is a piping system that is installed below grade and covered with cement. The system, as depicted here, is invisible to the eye. It does its job without being seen, carting water from around the perimeter of the basement and into the SuperSump.

All-Dry of the Carolinas does our best to bring the most efficient, lasting products to customers. If there’s problem, we also try to solve it by using this ideal. Nothing satisfies us more than solving a problem a customer has had for a long time. Sometimes, of course, the solution isn’t always cut and dry or what we think it is.

This Brevard, North Carolina homeowner, for example, assumed they were only having a small water problem. They assumed that a simple sump pump would be all they needed. We all want that simple solution. We don’t always get it. That’s okay. We adapt. We move on and move forward. Judging by the state of the crawlspace, it’s easy to assume that the water issue isn’t nearly as small as one would hope. In addition to water leaking through the walls, the earth in the crawlspace was exposed. This meant that water vapor would surely rise from the dirt and into the open air. The water problem was never “small.”

However, we solved that issue soon enough. We covered the dirt floor with our patented CleanSpace liner. This liner is unlike most others in that it is 20 mils thick. The liner is reinforced with polyester cords and is nearly impossible to rip or tear. That attribute is ideal for rocky, dirt crawlspaces. Because the issue is corrected, the homeowners can rest easier.

Water vapor problem: resolved.