Crawl Space Ninja Show

Tired of misleading information about crawl space encapsulation costs? In this frank, no-nonsense episode, I cut through the confusion to reveal what you'll actually pay for quality crawl space work and why those $1,500-$4,000 estimates you see online are dangerously inaccurate.

Drawing from years of industry experience, I break down the real factors that determine crawl space encapsulation pricing. We explore the cru...

That fuzzy growth on your crawl space soil isn't just "dirt being dirt" – it's a potential health hazard silently affecting your home and family. Most homeowners don't realize that the perfect mold habitat exists right beneath their feet, with all five essential growth factors readily available.

Clay soil in your crawl space acts like a nutrient-rich refrigerator for mold, storing organic matter an...

Think “book lice” sounds like a punchline? The reality is stranger—and way more useful. We pull back the curtain on these nearly invisible insects to reveal what they really eat (mold), why they show up in pantries, basements, and even electronics, and how their presence is less a bug problem and more a building problem. Along the way, we explain what makes a species “cosmopolitan,” how book lice can clone themselves through parthe...

Ever wondered why your floors are cold despite having insulation in your crawl space? The secret lies in understanding exactly where and how to insulate properly. Most builders miss critical spots, leaving your home vulnerable to energy loss, moisture problems, and pest infiltration.

Crawl space insulation isn't just about stuffing fiberglass between floor joists. As Michael explains in this eye-opening episode, there...

Struggling with persistent mold despite treatment? You're not alone. Today's episode tackles a common frustration homeowners face when mold remediation efforts fall short of expectations.

We dive into a question from Rod in Maryland, who discovered mold still present in his crawl space after professional Concrobium treatment. The answer lies in understanding two critical distinctions in the world of mold control:...

Tired of worrying about humidity levels in your crawl space while you're away from home? The technology landscape for home moisture control is evolving rapidly, and we're excited to share a game-changing solution with you.

Meet AJ, our DIY specialist who's been helping Crawl Space Ninja customers tackle their moisture control projects for three years. In this conversation, AJ breaks down everything you need ...

Ever wonder why some yards bounce back from heavy rain while others stay muddy for days? The secret lies in drainage technology, and as our conversation with Joe Zellerman of Hydraway reveals, not all drainage systems are created equal.

Did you know the iconic Field of Dreams baseball field—site of MLB's most-watched game ever—relies on Hydraway drainage? When a deluge of three to four inches of rain fell the night be...

What sounds like fiction torn from a horror screenplay unfolded as disturbing reality in Clackamas County, Oregon. Deputies responded to a neighbor's late-night call and discovered something truly unsettling – a man had transformed the crawlspace beneath a quiet condo into a fully-functioning miniature apartment, complete with string lights, a flat-screen TV, and even gaming equipment.

The culprit, 40-year-old Benjami...

Ever wondered why some homeowners struggle with basement flooding despite having sump pumps installed? The secret often lies not in the equipment itself, but in the installation techniques.

In this eye-opening discussion, Michael Church, the Crawl Space Ninja and Basement Waterproofing Ninja, reveals two game-changing installation methods that separate professional waterproofing from amateur attempts. Michael identifies th...

Moisture problems lurking beneath your home? Crawl Space Ninja Michael Church cuts through the confusion with this eye-opening compilation on crawl space humidity myths that could be damaging your home's foundation.

Have you been told that simply laying down a vapor barrier will solve your humidity problems? Michael reveals why this common "solution" falls short. What many contractors call a vapor barrier is...

What your mold remediation contractor isn't telling you could be costing you thousands in unnecessary repairs. Drawing from years of experience in crawl space restoration, Michael Church exposes four dangerous myths about mold treatment that continue to circulate among homeowners and even professional remediation companies.

The first misconception involves contractors claiming they can treat mold while leaving insulat...

The hidden world beneath your home could be quietly undermining your family's health and your house's structural integrity. Crawl space humidity isn't just an "out of sight, out of mind" problem—it's directly connected to issues like mold growth, wood rot, and even childhood asthma triggered by dust mites thriving in moist environments.

Michael Church from Crawl Space Ninja takes us through th...

Lurking beneath your home, crawl space mold poses a silent threat to your property's structural integrity and your family's health. But with so much conflicting advice online, how do you tackle this problem effectively?

In Week 9 of our Crawl Space Repair Challenge, we dive deep into the world of mold removal and disinfection, separating fact from fiction. Personal protective equipment isn't just a precautio...

Timing is everything when it comes to successful crawl space encapsulation, especially when tackling old vapor barriers and hidden debris. This deep dive into Week Eight of our Crawl Space Repair Challenge reveals why patience pays off and rushing could sabotage your entire project.

Most DIYers and even some contractors make the critical mistake of ripping out old vapor barriers on day one. I'm showing you why this st...

The humble rim joist—that critical transition zone where your home's foundation meets its framing—might be the most overlooked vulnerability in your entire building envelope. Michael Church dives deep into this crucial component in week seven of the Crawl Space Repair Challenge, revealing why building science experts consider proper rim joist insulation a non-negotiable aspect of home performance.

Moisture management ...

Breathing clean air shouldn't be a luxury, yet most of us unknowingly fill our lungs with harmful particles, pathogens, and chemicals every day inside our own homes. In this eye-opening conversation, Michael Church welcomes Robia Turner, an indoor air quality expert from Vollara, to uncover the invisible dangers lurking in our living spaces.

While we carefully scrutinize our food and water, we rarely consider the qual...

Your crawl space might be the most overlooked yet critically important area of your home. In this sixth installment of the Crawl Space Repair Challenge, Michael Church tackles the crucial topic of air sealing—a process that dramatically improves energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and structural integrity.

The Department of Energy confirms what Michael has seen firsthand: unsealed crawl spaces contribute significantly t...

Water infiltration in your crawl space isn't just annoying – it's a serious threat to your home's foundation, air quality, and structural integrity. In this comprehensive guide to crawl space sump pumps and basins, Michael Church of Crawl Space Ninja delivers game-changing insights for homeowners battling moisture issues.

Most homeowners make critical mistakes when selecting and installing sump pump systems....

Crawl space water issues often seem like an unsolvable mystery, but the solution starts with understanding a crucial distinction: water management versus waterproofing. These approaches tackle the same problem from fundamentally different angles, each with their own strengths and limitations that every homeowner should understand.

Throughout this episode of our Crawl Space Repair Challenge, Michael Church breaks down the e...