Crawl Space Repair Solutions in Chicago
Our team at Perma-Seal offers expert crawl space repair services for wet crawl spaces across the Chicagoland area.
Most crawl space areas were built with vents that allow the outdoor elements to come into the area. In recent years, experts have learned that by sealing or encapsulating a crawl space, you can eliminate moisture, odors, gases, and an opening that allows animals to nest in this space. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is among the top five health risks for individuals breathing the air that permeates from the crawl space into their living area. Knowing that up to 50% of the air in your home can come from below grade, it is important to ensure this area is dry and safe.
A Perma-Seal crawl space encapsulation system not only transforms your crawl space into a safe, clean and bright environment, but it also can help to reduce your energy bills, control humidity and moisture content, and it will add resale value to your home.
Common Crawl Space Repair Problems
Most people with crawl spaces experience very similar problems. If you know what problems to be looking for, you can make informed decisions about what needs to be done to repair them. Please look at the following list of potential crawl space problems that you could have and you can view more information about the issue or you can contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our experts.
Damp, Musty Odors
If your crawl space has a damp, musty smell, that is a common sign that there is too much moisture in that area. This problem needs to be addressed because, not only do those odors, soil gases and excess moisture travel directly to your living areas, but also can lead to major problems. The soil gases and odors cause health issues and the moisture can cause your wooden floor joists to rot out and affect the support of your entire home.
Why Are Crawl Spaces Damp?
Homes are vented through the roof to allow warm air to escape. The warm air inside of your home rises and slowly escapes through the roof. At the same time, air is sucked into your home from the crawl space below. This process, known as the stack effect, brings moisture from the earth into your home. Damp crawl spaces can produce condensation, mildew, fungi, musty odors, and most of all, an unhealthy environment. Crawl space humidity allows mold to grow and release spores. A crawl space with humidity will have your home constantly filled with tiny invisible mold spores floating through the air.
If there’s moisture, there’s a good chance that spiders, snakes, silverfish, rats, mice, or even termites will make a home in the shady, damp crawl space under your home. The rot and decay from moisture can cause structural damage to your home. If there is mold, you’re likely to have dust mites as well.
How do crawl spaces get so damp? Roof water may be falling too close to your home. A typical roof can produce 1,250 gallons of water during a one-inch rainstorm. If this water is not properly drained away from the home, it can saturate the ground around your home. In the summer, excessive watering of the landscape and flowerbeds can create too much moisture around the foundation. If your home is on a slope, the rainwater will flow down the slope and pool next to your foundation. Even if there is not standing water, this moist soil will evaporate in to your crawl space, as the capillary action in described above.
In order to properly control dampness and odors in the crawl space, the best method is to install an encapsulation system as well as an air quality control system to control the humidity and prevent it from getting too high.
Leaking or Standing Water
Water can enter a crawl space when ground water rises during a hard rain, or even through capillary action, where surface tension will pull water through the soil, directly into your crawl space. You may also have a problem if your crawl space happens to fall beneath the water table line. Whatever the reason, it is important to find the source and correct the problem. Standing water in the crawl space is unhealthy for your home environment because it invites excess moisture, mold growth, and sometimes bugs and critters. This unhealthy air will make its way directly to your living space and could affect your family.
Perma-Seal can provide you with a drainage solution for your crawl space that will help control the level of water and keep it from flooding. We can simultaneously install an encapsulation system to make your crawl space a brighter, cleaner and healthier place for storage.
Nasty Plastic or Dirt Crawl Space
Dirt crawl spaces allow odors, gases and critters to have a free pas into your home. If you are living with a dirt crawl space, or even a cheap plastic sheeting over the dirt, soil gases and odors can find their way directly into your living areas, which can affect your family’s health. You also will not feel comfortable storing anything of value in that area without any protection against water, moisture or critters.
By installing a complete encapsulation system we can prevent any outside dirt and critters from entering the crawl space.
Excess Humidity or Moisture
If you have excess or standing water in your crawl space, it needs to be addressed immediately. High amounts of water and moisture can lead to structural damage in your home by causing your wooden floor joists to rot out and even possibly break. Water and high moisture create a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful gases, which can lead to health problems for your family, since half of the air that you breathe comes from your basement or crawl space.
To properly control the humidity in the crawl space, it must be closed off from the outside air with an encapsulation system. Only then can we begin the process of reducing the humidity levels.
Soil Gases In Crawl Space
You may be concerned about the possibility of soil gases in the crawl space, or you may have even had an inspection which determined that there are soil gases present in the crawl space. Soil gases can be harmful and even fatal, and that’s why it is important to take steps to reduce the risk of soil gases being emitted into the crawl space area. Anything that affects the crawl space environment will also affect the living environment of your home.
Although Perma-Seal does not install radon mitigation systems, the Perma-Seal encapsulation system can help seal the crawl space from the outside world and help keep other soil gases out of your home.
Concrete Flooring
We regularly have customers asking us about pouring a floor into the crawl space. We do not add concrete floors to crawl spaces and we will generally give people the following three reasons that we would not pour a concrete floor there:
- Pouring new concrete will add hundreds of gallons of moisture to the already damp crawl space air (concrete mix is 30-40% water).
- Typically the concrete is pumped into the crawl space at approximately a 2” depth. This type of concrete will crack and will be porous, allowing moisture to permeate through it and migrate into the upstairs area.
- The finish on the pumped concrete is not steel troweled (like your basement floor) and will be rough and always be a dusty unclean surface.
Our Crawl Space Repair Services
Follow the links below to see the two main types of crawl space solutions we provide or scroll down further to find the different crawl space issues we can repair that happen to homes in our area.
Contact Us For Crawl Space Repair in Chicago
If you have any of the problems listed above, don’t hesitate to contact us and set up a meeting with one of our experts.
Crawl Space Waterproofing
crawl space
Crawlspace encapsulation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is crawl space encapsulation, and why is it important?
Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing the crawl space beneath your home to prevent moisture intrusion, pest infestations, and air quality issues. This process typically includes installing a vapor barrier on the floor and walls, sealing vents, and adding insulation. Encapsulation is crucial because it:
Reduces Moisture Levels: Prevents mold growth and wood rot.
Improves Air Quality: Stops allergens and pollutants from entering living spaces.
Enhances Energy Efficiency: Reduces heating and cooling costs by maintaining consistent temperatures.
Can I encapsulate my crawl space myself, or should I hire a professional?
While some homeowners may consider a DIY approach, crawl space encapsulation requires specialized knowledge and equipment to ensure it’s done correctly. Mistakes can lead to ongoing moisture problems, mold growth, and structural damage. Hiring a professional ensures that the encapsulation is performed effectively, providing long-term benefits.
Why is air quality in the crawl space important for my home?
The air in your crawl space can directly affect the indoor air quality of your home. Moist, unconditioned air in the crawl space can lead to mold growth, unpleasant odors, and increased allergens, which can seep into living areas. Maintaining good air quality in the crawl space helps ensure a healthier environment throughout your home.
Do I need a dehumidifier in my crawl space?
Installing a dehumidifier in your crawl space is often recommended to control humidity levels, especially in areas with high moisture. Even with encapsulation, a dehumidifier helps maintain optimal humidity, preventing mold growth and structural issues. It’s essential to choose a dehumidifier suitable for crawl spaces and have it properly installed for maximum effectiveness.
Do I need a sump pump in my crawl space?
Yes—if your crawl space is prone to water intrusion or sits in a low-lying area, a sump pump is often essential. It helps remove collected water from beneath your home, preventing moisture buildup, mold growth, and long-term foundation damage. Sump pumps are typically installed as part of a complete drainage system to keep the crawl space dry year-round.
What type of drainage system works best in a crawl space?
A perimeter interior drainage system works best for crawl spaces. This system includes a trench with perforated piping installed along the crawl space perimeter, which channels water to a sump pit. From there, the sump pump removes the water safely away from the home. This approach is especially effective when combined with encapsulation and dehumidification for full moisture control.
