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Evaluation of Crawlspace Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

Published by Advanced Building Systems | Department of Energy | Metadata Last Checked: January 27, 2026 | Last Modified: 2023-11-01T16:40:12Z
In 2011 and early 2012, Building Science Corporation (BSC) collaborated with Innova Services Corporation on a multifamily community un-vented crawlspace retrofit project at Oakwood Gardens in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. BSC provided design consulting services and pre- and post-retrofit evaluation, testing, and data monitoring.The existing condition was a vented crawlspace with an un-insulated floor between the crawlspace and the dwelling units above. The crawlspace was therefore a critically weak link in the building enclosure and was ripe for improvement. Saving energy was the primary interest and goal, but the greatest challenge in this un-vented crawlspace retrofit project was working through a crawlspace bulk water intrusion problem caused by inadequate site drainage, window well drainage, foundation wall drainage, and a rising water table during rainy periods.While the un-vented crawlspace retrofit was effective in reducing heat loss, and the majority of the bulk water drainage problems had been resolved, the important finding was that some of the wood joists embedded in masonry pockets behind the brick veneer were showing signs of moisture damage.

Resources

41 resources available

  • Evaluation of Crawlspace Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

    PDF
  • Oakwood_Gardens1.bpj

    BPJ
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2011-09-07.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2011-09-07.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2011-09-07.hproj

    HPROJ
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2011-09-07.pdf

    PDF
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2011-12-14.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2011-12-14.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2011-12-14.xlsx

    XLSX
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2012-01-20.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2012-01-20.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2012-03-19.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E north 2012-03-19.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2011-09-07.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2011-09-07.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2011-09-07.hproj

    HPROJ
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2011-09-07.pdf

    PDF
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2011-12-14.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2011-12-14.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2011-12-14.xlsx

    XLSX
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2012-01-20.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2012-01-20.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2012-03-19.csv

    CSV
  • Innova Oakwood crawl Bldg E south 2012-03-19.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova Oakwood crawl all through 2012-03-19.xlsx

    XLSX
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_B_north.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_B_south_left.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_east_2011-12-141.csv

    CSV
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_east_2011-12-141.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_east_2011-12-141.xlsx

    XLSX
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_east_2012-01-201.csv

    CSV
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_east_2012-01-201.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_east_2012-03-191.csv

    CSV
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_east_2012-03-191.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_west_2012-01-201.csv

    CSV
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_west_2012-01-201.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_west_2012-03-191.csv

    CSV
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_Bldg_B_5-8_west_2012-03-191.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_E_north.hobo

    HOBO
  • Innova_Oakwood_crawl_E_south.hobo

    HOBO
  • 2010-12-15 Mercy Douglass-Measures-Analysis.xls

    XLS

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