Crawl Space Waterproofing
If you’re considering crawl space waterproofing, you may be already researching on contractors and methods of waterproofing. This is a wise decision. It ensures that you make an informed choice. However, as you continue to talk to contractors and read about waterproofing, you may come across various terms that you don’t fully understand. The following guide will introduce you to some of the most common terms used in the industry:
- Waterproofing – This is the act of making a space impenetrable to water. When the contractor is done with the space, water shouldn’t be able to get into it.
- Negative space – this is the space on the inside of the waterproofing system. This term usually used to describe the inside of the home, crawl space or basement.
- Positive side – this is the part of the home that lies outside the waterproofing system. The term is used to describe the space that is on the outside of the home surrounding the foundation of the home.
- Vented or open crawl space – this is a crawl space that has vents or open spaces on the perimeter walls. These vents allow air from the exterior to the interior space. Many old crawl spaces that are not waterproofed are open crawl spaces.
- Closed crawl space – this is a crawl space whose perimeter walls are completely closed off to the exterior. Water and air cannot therefore enter the space.
- Encapsulation – this is the process of closing off the crawl space. It results in a closed crawl space.
- Conditioned crawl space – this is a closed/encapsulated crawl space that has been designed to be connected to the home’s conditioning system. Air in the crawl space is therefore circulated to the exterior through the HVAC system. This keeps the space warm or cold like the rest of the house therefore, energy is saved in heating and cooling the space above the crawl space.
- French drain – this is a trench that is dug along the perimeter of the crawl space. A perforated PVC pipe is laid within it and the trench is then backfilled with gravel. This allows for water from the surrounding soil to trickle into the PVC pipe and drain into a well or external drain.
Be sure to raise any points that you do not understand with your contractor. This will ensure that you fully understand the system you choose for crawl space waterproofing.
