THE PROBLEM:

We were retained to investigate and remediate documented moisture and biological growth issues at a high-profile summer residence. The property is located on a lakefront lot with highly permeable sandy soil and a groundwater table situated approximately 3 meters below the footing.

 

Our investigation identified that the primary failure mechanism was a massive vapor pressure differential. The groundwater table created a boundary condition of 100% relative humidity within the sandy soil column. Driven by the laws of thermodynamics, this moisture generated a powerful vapor drive toward the drier, conditioned environment of the structure above, compromising the assembly.

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THE SOLUTION:

Multi-Layer Control & Depressurization Our strategy employed a "belt and suspenders" approach, combining passive control layers with active mechanical management.

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1. Vapor Control Strategy: We installed a primary vapor control layer at the subgrade/crawlspace interface to check rising soil moisture. A second vapor control layer was installed at the underside of the ground-level floor assembly to provide redundancy.

2. Assembly Isolation: To ensure total environmental separation, the underside of the floor assembly was further retrofitted with dedicated air control and thermal control layers, effectively decoupling the living space from the sub-grade environment.

3. Active Depressurization: We installed a mechanical exhaust-only ventilation system within the crawl space. By maintaining a consistent negative pressure relative to the living space, we ensure that any residual air movement flows downward, preventing soil gases from migrating into the home.

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REPAIR VALIDATION - ONGOING REVIEW AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT:

To ensure the long-term success of this remediation, we established a continuous review protocol supported by a live IoT sensor network. We monitor Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH) in real-time at strategically selected locations:

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• Loc 1 (Bedroom addition w bathroom).

• Loc 2 (Central crawlspace): The primary control volume.

• Loc 3 (Near crawlspace entrance): Perimeter boundary conditions.

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The live data stream allows us to validate the repair methodology under real-world conditions. More importantly, this provides an active feedback loop; should the data indicate any deviation from our design parameters, we can immediately refine the mechanical strategy or adjust the approach to ensure the assembly performs optimally regardless of seasonal fluctuations