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dpati

Dampness in crawl space wall

2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

Hi,

We wanted to change the insulation in our crawl space. When the existing insulation was removed we noticed dampness on the walls that were in contact with outside soil. Attaching few pics here. What could be the reason and which specialist should we call for checking on it and fixing it.

thanks,

deb





Comments (11)

  • 2 years ago

    No damp or waterproofing on the exterior. Call a afoundation specialist. He will get an excavator and dig out your foundation on all sides and apply proper waterproofing. You can attempt the usual interior fixes of Drylock and others but once the water makes it into the concrete block you are really not stopping it.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Let's see the outside. Grading and guttering are responsible for about 98% of foundation issues.

  • 2 years ago

    Yes, what WoW said, I was remiss in not mentioning that first in my earlier reply. Not enough coffee had been taken in I guess.

  • 2 years ago

    Thank you both very much for your advices. I need to contact some foundation expert now and hopefuly they will rectify it.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Post pictures of the outside and we can tell you what's wrong with the house.

  • 2 years ago

    Here are some outside pics as per your request:





  • 2 years ago

    Eager to hear your thoughts after seeing these pics

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    1. Grade, tough to tell from the picture, appears to slope towards the house.

    2. Buried gutter line can be problematic. Unless you see the entire volume exiting wherever the pipe exits...they come apart in the ground all the time and create subsurface issues.

    3. Make sure the gutter is clear. The fact that it's in the corner makes me look hard where that pipe is buried and where it's going to.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    WoW, thank you very much for your observations and feedback. I have contacted a couple of foundation companies. Let’s see what they have to say and i will update here.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Foundation companies will sell you foundation work...as they should. I would first look into what that gutter and piping is doing. If you don't see where it empties...that is an issue and I would start there.


    Foundations don't just start leaking on their own...usually. And given the concentration in that corner, my guess would be that it is related to that gutter. Likely obstructed and during a rain that pipe is backing up and spilling in that corner. You can use a hose to test that theory quite simply.

  • 2 years ago

    Great advice. Ohio Basement Authority just now stopped by and using their water meter they said that the dampness is on the very low side. They said the structure is solid and nothing to worry about at the moment but give them a call if we see water pooling anytime in future. Like you‘ve mentioned they also said to make sure the gutter is clean and draining out well.


    Buckeye basement solutions is coming on Monday. Let’s see what they have got to say.

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