Crawlspace Waterproofing | Flint, MI

Our Experience

  • Serving Michigan For Over 20 Years
  • Over 8,000 properties restored
The #1 Choice in Crawlspace Waterproofing

It’s easy to overlook the humble crawlspace. Most people see crawlspaces as no more than places for dust to collect or sunlight to fall. Unfortunately, ignoring the crawlspace in your Flint home is not just an aesthetic concern; it’s a safety one. Crawlspaces are just as vulnerable to water damage and mold troubles as more popular areas of the home, like a well-furnished basement.

Waterproofing the crawlspace can also help improve indoor air quality by preventing the growth of mold and other harmful microorganisms. In short, investing in crawlspace waterproofing is a proactive measure that can save homeowners in Flint, MI, from costly repairs and health hazards in the long run. Fortunately, Bluebird offers a thorough crawlspace waterproofing in Flint, MI to prevent issues from growing out of control.

crawlspace covered with water

What Causes Cracks in Crawlspace Walls?

When you notice small cracks in your crawlspace walls, you might shrug it off as simple wear and tear from those harsh Michigan winters. These cracks may signify a much larger problem, however. Some common causes of crawlspace cracks include:

  • Severe Weather – Heavy snow and pounding rain can take a toll on even the hardiest of foundations. Unlike thirsty soil and durable drains, your foundation is simply not designed to take on all this extra weight and water. As a result, cracks may form.
  • Plumbing Problems – Extreme weather isn’t the only culprit when it comes to foundational damage by water. If a sink above your crawlspace is leaking even slightly, water can seep into that space and start wreaking havoc. Minor cracks may be the first sign that anything is even wrong.
  • Settling Foundation – The earth on which your home sits is not some unmovable force. It will inevitably shift and change with time. Sometimes, you can see what is going on beneath your feet just by looking at the cracks on the walls of your crawlspace. In some cases, these cracks are minor and may not be a pressing concern. However, even minor cracks should be monitored to ensure that they don’t become more than a simple nuisance.

Why Should You Waterproof a Crawlspace?

Waterproofing a crawlspace is crucial for various reasons. The problem with cracks in your crawlspace foundation is that they don’t always stay small. As the seasons rage on year after year and the foundation settles and resettles again, cracks can widen and even grow in number.

As a result, your home becomes more susceptible to unwanted guests like mice, rats, and insects. What’s more, the excess moisture from an uncontrolled leak can invite another potential pest: mold. Mold not only looks gross, it also smells and can cause health problems in some people.

Even if you do manage to avoid furry, scaly, or odorous intruders, water can do unspeakable damage to valuable items, carpet, and floor joists. It’s not just water that manages to get through these cracks either; air can, too. When this happens, pipes can freeze more easily when the weather gets cold.

Finally, foundational issues tend to grow rapidly. The longer you wait to address a problem, the more costly it will likely be. Overall, waterproofing a crawlspace is an essential maintenance task that can prevent costly and harmful issues in the long run. Waterproofing can help improve indoor air quality, increase energy efficiency, and protect against pests and rodents. Therefore, it is crucial to check your crawl space for repair every once in a while.

Insulation vs. Encapsulation: What is the Difference?

Leaving your crawlspace exposed to the bitter cold and rain not only makes for a drafty home. You could be letting precious heat escape, which you surely cherish during cold Flint winters. You can combat these issues by investing in crawlspace insulation.

When we insulate your crawlspace, we use materials like spray foam to shield the warmth of your home from the chill outside. This process can also keep pipes from freezing on those particularly harsh winter days. The insulation serves as a buffer against the elements.

Encapsulation is essentially insulation amplified and is an ideal option if your crawlspace is prone to leaks and floods. When encapsulating your crawlspace, we will look for the places in your crawlspace where water is most likely to creep in. We then seal the crawlspace to prevent any moisture from seeping through.

Crawlspace Waterproofing in Flint, MI

You don’t have to tackle the waterproofing project on your own. At Bluebird CFW, we can easily transform dark, damp crawlspaces into clean, dry, and welcoming ones. We have been helping residents of Flint repair their homes and businesses for over 20 years. Let us help you keep the water and draft out of your cozy Flint home.

Call us today to learn more! Outside of crawlspace waterproofing and repairs, we also offer foundation repair and basement waterproofing throughout Flint.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Crawlspace encapsulation is the process of placing a vapor barrier on the floor and walls of the crawlspace. This prevents moisture and improves the air throughout the space. We will also wrap any support pillars.

Crawlspace encapsulation costs start from $4000 to $5000 and can go up depending on factors such as square footage, size of the wall, and the total number of pillars.

Benefits of crawl encapsulation include:

  • Improves air quality and increases healthy living conditions
  • Helps decrease smells from moisture such as the “old cabin smell” musty or mildew.
  • Gives you an easy surface to work on/easier to move around when doing any work in the crawlspace.
  • Prevents structural damage
  • Makes the crawlspace a suitable storage area if it is tall enough to accommodate storage.

If you encapsulate a crawlspace that has water issues, you will end up with a “water bed.” This is why we will not encapsulate a crawlspace with known water issues without waterproofing it first.

You can see and smell it. You may have issues with breathing/sickness if the problem is severe enough or you are more susceptible to sickness (young children/babies, elderly, those with allergies/asthma).

Mold can easily grow in crawlspaces due to excessive moisture, standing water, or damp soil. Since crawlspaces are right up against the ground, moisture is always present and ready to invade the area. This is an invitation for mold growth.

It’s your property and you do not have to seal your crawlspace. Sealing the crawlspace will help with any musty/mildew smells from moisture or damp soil. In addition, it will give you a storage area and make it easier to move around when doing any work in the crawlspace.

Anytime you want to make it easier to work in the crawlspace or if you want to seal off any bad smells.

A sealed crawlspace and an encapsulated crawlspace can be considered the same thing. Insulation will make it more sealed as cold air will not come into the crawlspace from the rim joist/bond board.

2023 Bluebird CFW Foundation Repair & Waterproofing | All Rights Reserved | Site Map