From DIY Fixes to Lasting Protection for a Kalkaska Lake Home

A Lake Home Worth Protecting

We've all been there. Trying a DIY fix to solve a problem, watching YouTube videos for answers, and hoping the next solution finally does the trick.

Charlie had put plenty of effort into keeping the crawl space beneath his Kalkaska, Michigan lake home dry. Between fans and a homemade drainage setup, he'd tried tackling the moisture problem himself. For a while, his efforts seemed to be doing the trick, but when spring arrived, so did the standing water.

For Charlie, this wasn't just another maintenance project. His family had owned their lake home for 28 years, building memories in a place they hoped to someday pass down to their children. He wanted a solution he could count on, not another temporary fix.

Why Was Water Returning to Charlie's Crawl Space?

A few years earlier, Charlie had installed his own sump pump and a small DIY drainage system to help manage water beneath the home. While his setup initially helped, it didn't extend around the entire crawl space perimeter. When spring arrived, standing water began appearing in areas beyond the reach of his original system.

It was frustrating to see water returning after the work he'd already put in. Moisture readings revealed just how damp the crawl space had become, with 79% relative humidity and 21.1% moisture content in the wood. Both readings highlighted the need for better moisture control beneath the home.

Is High Humidity in a Crawl Space a Problem?

Yes. Excess humidity can create conditions that encourage mold growth, musty odors, and deterioration of wooden floor joists and other structural materials. For Michigan lake homes, moisture control can be especially important. Depending on the property, groundwater conditions, seasonal rain, and humidity can all contribute to damp crawl spaces. And while fans may help circulate air or dry a wet area temporarily, they don't address groundwater entering beneath a home. Charlie knew it was time for a more complete solution.

What Is the Best Way to Waterproof a Crawl Space?

When System Design Specialist Rick visited Charlie's home, he took the time to review the available solutions and explain how each would help address the moisture problems. Charlie was involved throughout the process, selecting the options that made the most sense for his home and his priorities. Together, they developed a plan that addressed both standing water and excess humidity.

The project included:

• Crawl Space Drainage: A drainage system designed to collect water around the perimeter and direct it toward the sump pump.
• Sump Pump: To remove collected water from beneath the home.
• Crawl Space Encapsulation: A durable vapor barrier installed across the crawl space floor and walls to help control ground moisture.
• SaniDry™ Sedona Dehumidifier: To manage excess humidity and help maintain a drier environment.

Confident in the plan and the team's approach, Charlie decided to move forward that same day.

How Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Protect a Home?

Foreman Marcus and his crew got to work transforming the damp crawl space into a cleaner, more controlled environment. The team installed the drainage system to help manage groundwater, followed by the encapsulation system to separate the crawl space from moisture in the exposed soil and along the foundation walls.

Unlike a temporary drying setup, crawl space encapsulation works alongside drainage, sump pumps, and dehumidification to address different sources of moisture. For Charlie, the details mattered. He was comfortable getting into the crawl space himself and wanted to know the installation was completed with care, right down to the seams and seals of the vapor barrier.

The finished result was a dramatic change from the collection of fans and exposed ground that had been there before.

Protecting the Next 28 Years of Memories

For Charlie and his family, this project was about more than getting rid of standing water. After nearly three decades at their lake home, they wanted to feel confident about its condition and know they were taking steps to protect it for the next generation.

With a professionally installed drainage system, sump pump, encapsulation, and humidity control in place, Charlie can spend less time worrying about moisture beneath the home and more time enjoying the lake house he loves. It's an investment in protecting a home filled with memories for the next generation.

Ready to Protect Your Crawl Space?

Whether you're dealing with standing water, musty odors, or high humidity, Ayers Basement Systems can help you find a solution that fits your home.

Explore our crawl space repair and waterproofing services and get a free estimate to take the first step toward a drier, more comfortable home.