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Consultant warns of crawlspace moisture and possible mold conditions under Spencer County Courthouse; recommends drainage and vapor-barrier fixes
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Summary
An Air Source Technology limited site survey for the county clerk's office identified a wet basement slab, uncovered sump crock, efflorescence on foundation walls and no crawlspace vapor barrier or insulation; the consultant recommended perimeter drainage, a vapor barrier, dehumidification and either conditioning or depressurizing the crawlspace.
Air Source Technology, Inc. (ASTI) presented a limited indoor-air-quality site survey for the Spencer County Courthouse county clerk office at the May 4 Fiscal Court meeting. The survey, conducted April 24, 2020 by ASTI personnel, found evidence of chronic groundwater intrusion in the basement and crawlspace below the clerk's office and several conditions that "are conducive to fungal growth," ASTI wrote.
Key findings in the ASTI report included:
- Wet areas on the basement slab and an uncovered sump crock holding water. - Efflorescence on block foundation walls, wet soil in the crawlspace and no vapor barrier or insulation on crawlspace surfaces. - Visible penetrations for plumbing and electrical between the crawlspace and occupied spaces above. - Elevated indoor relative humidity readings (office ~62% RH at time of visit) and a detectable musty odor reported by clerk staff.
ASTI recommended the county address moisture sources first: correct grading and perimeter drainage, ensure downspouts discharge 6'8 feet from the foundation or tie into drainage, cover the sump crock, and install a continuous vapor barrier in the crawlspace, extending it above exterior grade. The report offered two long-term options for the crawlspace: (1) an active depressurization/exhaust strategy to isolate the crawlspace or (2) converting the crawlspace into conditioned space with sealed insulation and application of a specified fungicidal coating where necessary. The firm also recommended dehumidification to maintain relative humidity at or below 55% (40% preferred) and noted that any remediation should follow established standards such as IICRC S520 and applicable Kentucky guidance.
ASTI's written conclusion: "Within the limits of the survey ... conditions in the Spencer County Courthouse ... require attention." The firm did not provide a remediation specification in the limited survey; ASTI advised the county to consult licensed contractors and engineers for construction-level corrections and to follow professional remediation standards if active mold remediation is performed.
Why it matters: The county clerk's office is an occupied government office; moisture intrusion and chronic damp conditions below an occupied space can cause persistent indoor-air-quality problems that affect employees and the public. Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock told the court staff had reported health-related concerns and a strong odor in a set of drawers adjacent to the deed room, which prompted the request for the survey.
Next steps suggested: Correct surface and groundwater drainage, seal and ventilate/condition the crawlspace per the selected strategy, cover sump crocks, install vapor barriers and deploy dehumidification. If remediation contractors are engaged, ASTI recommended an independent post-remediation verification to document satisfactory correction.