Complete Crawl Space Restoration in Longboat Key, Florida

Friday, September 29th, 2023 by Vincent DiBona

Challenge

Scott, a Longboat Key, Florida, resident, reached out to LRE Foundation Repair to have his home's foundation evaluated after observing numerous sloping and unstable areas. With his residence being located right on a canal, Scott was aware that moisture damage to his foundation could be a significant concern. The home has a crawlspace but originally lacked an appropriate entryway to allow for easy access, complicating things further for the homeowner. Recognizing the recurrent threat of hurricane surges for Florida residents, Scott understood the importance of taking action to stabilize his home's foundation.

A Design Specialist from LRE gained access to the crawl space by removing a section of the floorboard above, uncovering numerous issues that needed attention. The crawl space's floor joists had suffered extensive damage from mold and mildew, leading to many of them rotting and deteriorating. In addition, soil washout had caused many of the block piers supporting the joists to sink further into the ground. Furthermore, soil washout had resulted in the sinking of several block piers supporting the joists. These combined issues were clearly responsible for contributing to the sloping and instability of the home's floors.

Solution

To permanently stabilize the crawl space and prevent moisture infiltration, extensive measures had to be implemented. LRE designed a plan to first implement the CleanSpace™ Crawl Space Encapsulation System in order to prevent moisture penetration. This system includes covering the entire crawl space with a waterproofing liner to safeguard the area from moisture, preventing the formation of mold. Additionally, a sump pump and dehumidifier are implemented to manage excess water accumulation and keep the space clean and dry.

Next, the LRE team implemented the SmartJack® system to stabilize the repaired floor joists and lift the sloping floors. Comprised of corrosion-resistant heavy-duty steel posts, SmartJacks are adjusted to fit any crawl space and can support loads of more than 60,000 lbs. The SmartJacks are also resistant to settlement, as they are installed on an excavated section filled with compressed, crushed stone that remains stable and doesn't wash away.

Finally, the LRE team installed an EverLast™ Crawl Space Door to address the absence of a proper entryway into the crawl space. EverLast™ doors create an airtight, waterproof seal between the crawl space and the humid Florida air outside, providing an additional layer of defense against moisture infiltration.

With these solutions in place, Scott can now continue to enjoy his waterfront home with the assurance that his foundation is permanently stabilized and protected against moisture damage from Florida's torrential storms.

Project Summary

Products Installed: SmartJacks system, CleanSpace Ecapsulation System, EverLast Crawl Space Door

Mold has caused many of the floor joists to rot and deteriorate.

Many of the block piers supporting the floor joists had sunken into the ground due to soil washout.

In the absence of proper moisture regulation, this crawl space has become a very damp environment, inviting the accumulation of mold and contributing to the deterioration of the structural integrity.

The SmartJack system has been installed to provide robust and permanent support to the floor joists above.

The CleanSpace waterproof liner covers every square inch of the crawl space, serving as a protective barrier against moisture infiltration and potential harm to the structural integrity.

The CleanSpace sump pump, specifically designed for crawl spaces, is designed to regulate moisture by efficiently draining water from the area and preventing potential flooding.