Crawl Space & Waterproofing FAQ

Wetlock is based in Rock Hill, SC and serves the Charlotte region (including Charlotte, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Indian Land, Lake Wylie, Matthews, Huntersville, Cornelius and Lake Norman, Concord, Gastonia, Lincolnton, Hickory and Union County) and the Columbia region (including Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Blythewood, West Columbia, Cayce, Camden and Winnsboro). Don’t see your town? Call or text 803.364.2060. We travel throughout the Carolinas.

Yes. We inspect your crawl space or basement, take photos of what we find, explain the cause of the problem and give you a written proposal. There is no charge and no obligation.

Crawl space encapsulation seals the floor, walls and vents of a crawl space so ground moisture and humid air stay out. Wetlock offers full encapsulation with foam board, a sealed crawl space with wall liner, and a starter system.

Common signs include a musty smell indoors, fungus growth on floor joists, sagging or wet insulation, standing water after rain, soft or cupping floors, condensation on ducts, and higher humidity indoors during summer.

Hot, humid summers push moist air into vented crawl spaces where it condenses on cooler wood and ductwork. Red clay soil common across the Charlotte region holds water after storms, adding even more moisture under the house.

Most crawl space encapsulations and drainage projects take one to three days. Larger basements or combined drainage and encapsulation projects can take longer. Your proposal lists the expected timeline.

Yes. Every proposal is written and itemized so you know exactly what is included and what it costs before any work begins.

Yes. We regularly fix crawl space and basement moisture items flagged on home inspection reports for buyers, sellers and real estate agents, and we schedule around closing dates.

Yes. We treat accessible fungal-like growth as part of our waterproofing work and address contributing moisture conditions with encapsulation, drainage or dehumidification to help reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Call or text 803.364.2060 or request a free inspection online. We will confirm a time that works for you.

It depends on the size and height of the space, access, its current condition and which solution it needs. We give you a free inspection and a written, itemized proposal before any work starts, so you know the cost up front.

Some upkeep, like keeping downspout extensions and discharge outlets clear, is easy to do yourself. Larger fixes are harder to get right: thin plastic tears and leaves soil exposed, sealing vents without humidity control can trap moisture, and drains and sump pumps have to be designed for your lot. A free inspection shows what your home actually needs.

Humidity is usually worst in summer, when warm, humid air enters vented crawl spaces and condenses on cooler joists and ductwork. Water intrusion tends to follow heavy rain, when clay soil stays saturated for days.

Crawl space waterproofing is the overall goal: keeping water and moisture out. Encapsulation is one way to do it, by sealing the floor, walls and vents. Many homes also need a drain and sump pump for liquid water, or a dehumidifier for humidity.

It depends on whether you have standing water, high humidity or both, plus the size and condition of the space. We inspect, take photos and moisture readings, and give you written options, from our starter system to full encapsulation.

Yes. We treat accessible fungal-like growth and address contributing moisture conditions to help reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

It depends on your crawl space’s existing conditions, moisture levels and your home’s needs. The three systems are different solutions for different conditions, not good, better and best. At your free inspection we evaluate the space and recommend the system that fits.

Sealing the crawl space and actively managing humidity work together. The liner and sealed vents help keep ground moisture and humid outside air out, and the AprilAire dehumidifier controls the humidity that remains, especially during long Carolina summers. That is why every Wetlock system includes one.

Most homes are done in one to three days, depending on the size of the crawl space and whether drainage or a sump pump is part of the plan.

It depends on square footage, height and access, the condition of the space, and which system is right for your home. We give you a free inspection and a written, itemized proposal before any work starts.

A mil is one thousandth of an inch and measures liner thickness. Many homes come with thin builder-grade plastic. Our 12 mil and 20 mil reinforced liners are much stronger and hold up to people crawling across them for service work.

Both are premium reinforced liners. 20 mil is thicker and more durable for crawl spaces that get a lot of foot traffic or have rough ground. We recommend the right one for your space during the inspection.

No. A vapor barrier covers the floor. Encapsulation goes further by sealing the walls and vents too. A vapor barrier can be a good first step, and we can upgrade to full encapsulation later.

It depends on whether the space is vented or sealed and how much moisture is present. Batt insulation is a cost-effective choice between floor joists, mineral wool resists moisture and fire, and radiant GPS foam board insulates foundation walls in sealed crawl spaces and basements. We recommend the right one at your free inspection.

GPS (graphite polystyrene) foam board is rigid insulation with a metalized radiant face. The board we install is R-10, fire-rated so it can be left exposed in a crawl space or basement without a separate ignition barrier, and treated to resist termites. We fasten it to block or concrete foundation walls with rust-proof plastic fasteners, and it holds up in damp areas where batts would soak up moisture.

Yes. Insulation that gets wet loses its value and can develop fungus growth. We fix the moisture first with a vapor barrier, encapsulation, drainage or a dehumidifier, then install new insulation so it is better protected from moisture.

Yes. We pull out wet, fallen or contaminated insulation and haul it away before installing new insulation.

Sealing keeps new moisture out, but humidity can still build up, especially in the humid Carolina summers. A dehumidifier helps hold humidity at levels that discourage fungal growth.

AprilAire makes dehumidifiers designed for crawl spaces and basements. We size the unit to your space during the inspection.

Yes. We install AprilAire dehumidifiers in basements as well as crawl spaces.

Clay soil around Carolina homes soaks up rainwater and presses it against foundation walls. That pressure pushes water through cracks and the joint where the wall meets the floor. An interior drain system relieves it.

Carbon fiber straps are bonded to cracked or bowing block walls to reinforce them. During the inspection we tell you plainly if a wall needs more than straps.

Yes, and it is the right order. Waterproofing first protects drywall, flooring and furniture.

We install 3/4 HP sump pumps in crawl spaces, basements and exterior drain systems.

If your power goes out during a storm, your main pump stops when you need it most. A battery backup keeps water moving until power comes back.

It depends on how often it runs and the conditions it works in. We check the pump, float and discharge line during every inspection.

A waterproof coating applied to the outside of foundation walls to keep water out of the masonry. We seal coat existing foundations and new construction.

Yes. We provide new construction seal coating and strip drains so foundations are protected before backfill.

A channel drain is a narrow trench drain with a grate on top, set into concrete or pavers. It catches water running across driveways, patios and walkways and carries it away.

A curtain drain is a French drain placed uphill of your home to intercept water before it reaches the house. A standard French drain collects water closer to the problem area.

An open French drain is left with gravel exposed on top so surface water drains straight in. It works well along foundations and in low spots.

When water gets into the crawl space. The interior drain collects it along the foundation and sends it to a sump pump.

Yes. Wetlock offers workmanship and product warranties. Coverage varies by service, so ask about the coverage for your project at your free inspection.

A little. Check your dehumidifier and sump pump periodically, keep discharge outlets and downspout extensions clear, and call us if you notice water, new odors or a pump that runs constantly.

We treat accessible fungal-like growth as part of our waterproofing work and fix the moisture conditions behind it. We do not provide certified mold remediation.