When a Depoe Bay, Oregon homeowner contacted Josh Lowe’s Dr. Energy Saver about persistent moisture issues in their crawl space, they were dealing with problems common to Oregon Coast homes: standing water, musty odors, and concerns about long-term structural damage. Here’s how we transformed their crawl space from a damp liability into a clean, dry, and protected space using the CleanSpace encapsulation system.
The Problem: Coastal Moisture
Living on the Oregon Coast comes with spectacular ocean views and fresh sea air, but it also means dealing with high humidity levels and moisture challenges that can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. This Depoe Bay homeowner discovered their crawl space was suffering from:
Moisture Issues:
- Standing water in multiple areas of the crawl space
- Damp, deteriorating vapor barrier (or no barrier at all)
- High humidity levels causing condensation
- Musty odors penetrating into living spaces
Structural Concerns:
- Wet insulation sagging from floor joists
- Early signs of wood rot on support beams
- Potential for mold growth in humid environment
- Risk of pest infestation attracted to moisture
Comfort & Energy Problems:
- Cold floors in living spaces above crawl space
- Increased heating costs due to poor insulation
- Drafts and air leaks allowing outside air infiltration
- Difficulty maintaining consistent indoor temperatures
Like many coastal Oregon homes, this property was built before modern crawl space moisture management became standard practice. The original construction included minimal moisture protection, leaving the crawl space vulnerable to the region’s wet climate.
What We Found: A Comprehensive Crawl Space Assessment
Our certified crawl space specialists conducted a thorough inspection to identify all issues affecting the space:
Moisture & Water Intrusion
- Standing water pooled in low spots throughout the crawl space
- Groundwater seepage through the dirt floor during rainy periods
- Inadequate drainage with no system to redirect water away from the foundation
- High relative humidity (above 60%) creating ideal conditions for mold
Insulation Failures
- Damaged fiberglass insulation hanging from floor joists, saturated with moisture
- R-value loss due to wet, compressed insulation providing minimal thermal protection
- Air leaks around rim joists and floor penetrations allowing energy loss
Structural & Air Quality Issues
- Deteriorating wood showing early signs of rot from prolonged moisture exposure
- Musty odors indicating potential mold or mildew growth
- Open vents allowing humid outside air to enter the crawl space
- No vapor barrier or damaged/inadequate existing barrier
The combination of coastal humidity, inadequate moisture protection, and poor insulation was creating a perfect storm for ongoing damage and energy waste.
Why Coastal Homes Need Crawl Space Encapsulation
Oregon Coast homes face unique challenges that make proper crawl space encapsulation essential:
High Humidity Levels
Coastal areas experience elevated humidity year-round, with average relative humidity often exceeding 70-80%. Without proper encapsulation, crawl spaces become moisture traps.
Frequent Precipitation
The Oregon Coast receives 60-80+ inches of rain annually. This constant moisture creates hydrostatic pressure against foundations and increases groundwater intrusion risk.
Temperature Fluctuations
The marine climate creates temperature differences between crawl spaces and living areas, leading to condensation on cold surfaces—a primary cause of moisture problems.
Salt Air Corrosion
Proximity to the ocean means salt-laden air can accelerate corrosion of metal components and deterioration of building materials.
The bottom line: Standard crawl space construction isn’t sufficient for coastal Oregon homes. Proper encapsulation is essential to protect your investment.
Our Solution: CleanSpace Encapsulation System
After completing our assessment, we designed a comprehensive crawl space encapsulation solution tailored to this Depoe Bay home’s specific needs and the challenges of coastal living.
Phase 1: Water Management & Drainage
Standing Water Removal: Before any encapsulation work could begin, we removed all standing water from the crawl space and identified the sources of water intrusion.
Drainage System Installation: We installed an interior perimeter drainage system to intercept groundwater before it could enter the crawl space:
- Perforated drainage pipe along foundation walls
- Drainage matting to facilitate water movement
- Sump pump system to actively remove collected water
- Discharge line directing water away from foundation
This drainage infrastructure ensures any future water intrusion is immediately captured and removed, preventing standing water accumulation.
Phase 2: Old Material Removal
Insulation Removal: All damaged, wet fiberglass insulation was carefully removed from floor joists. Saturated insulation is not only ineffective but can harbor mold and add weight to structural members.
Debris Cleanup: We removed construction debris, old vapor barrier remnants, and any contaminated materials, leaving a clean workspace for the encapsulation installation.
Structural Assessment: With the space cleared, we verified all support beams and floor joists were structurally sound. Any areas showing early rot were treated or reinforced as needed.
Phase 3: CleanSpace Vapor Barrier Installation
The centerpiece of our encapsulation system is the CleanSpace crawl space liner—a 20-mil thick reinforced polyethylene barrier designed specifically for crawl space environments.
CleanSpace Features:
- 20-mil thickness: 7-layer polyethylene construction with reinforced polyester cords for puncture and tear resistance
- Antimicrobial protection: Built-in additive prevents mold growth on the liner surface
- Bright white finish: Transforms dark crawl spaces into bright, usable areas and makes inspections easier
- Durable construction: Can support foot traffic for future access and maintenance
Installation Process:
Floor Coverage:
- CleanSpace liner installed across the entire crawl space floor
- Extended up foundation walls (typically 6-12 inches)
- All seams overlapped and sealed with specialized tape
- Fastened to foundation walls with mechanical fasteners
Pier & Column Wrapping:
- Support columns wrapped with CleanSpace material
- Creates complete moisture barrier around all structural elements
- Sealed at all connection points
Wall Coverage:
- Foundation walls covered with CleanSpace liner
- Creates continuous moisture barrier from floor to rim joist
- Sealed to existing foundation with specialized adhesive
The result is a complete, sealed environment that prevents ground moisture from entering the crawl space while creating a bright, clean appearance.
Phase 4: Insulation & Air Sealing
With moisture control established, we focused on thermal performance and energy efficiency:
Spray Foam Insulation: We applied closed-cell spray foam insulation to:
- Rim joists and band boards (creating air-tight seal)
- Foundation walls (transforming crawl space into conditioned space)
- Around all penetrations and gaps
Why spray foam for coastal crawl spaces:
- Doesn’t absorb moisture like fiberglass
- Creates complete air seal eliminating drafts
- Won’t sag or settle over time
- Adds structural rigidity
- R-value of approximately 6-7 per inch
Vent Sealing: All foundation vents were permanently sealed from the interior using rigid foam insulation. Modern building science has proven that vented crawl spaces in humid climates actually introduce more moisture problems than they solve.
Phase 5: Dehumidification
The final component is active humidity control:
Crawl Space Dehumidifier Installation: We installed a commercial-grade crawl space dehumidifier designed for below-grade environments:
- Automatically maintains humidity below 55%
- Self-draining to sump pump system
- Energy-efficient operation
- Filters and circulates crawl space air
This ensures the crawl space remains dry even during Oregon’s wettest months.
The CleanSpace Advantage: Why This System Works
The CleanSpace encapsulation system isn’t just a vapor barrier. It’s a complete moisture management solution designed specifically for crawl space environments. The CleanSpace system comes with a 25-year written warranty against rips, tears, and water vapor transmission, providing long-term peace of mind.
