While at first thought, crawl space may seem neglectful, there is more to it than meets the eye. Encapsulation of Crawl space is located between the first floor and the ground. It is usually designed to accommodate only enough room for one to ‘crawl’ rather than stand.
It is typically unfinished with a dirt floor and generally used as an access point for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical within the home. The space’s ventilation allows air to circulate throughout the house.
Crawl space encapsulation is done to avoid infestation of pests and mold inside homes. It reduces window sweat and the subsequent musty mildew smell reducing the HVAC and home maintenance costs.
Introduction: What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
In case your home has a crawl space, over 50% of the air you breathe circulates through it, making encapsulation pivotal in reducing the chances of mold and pest infestation. The encapsulation keeps your crawl space clean and dry.
A vented crawl space can hold moisture and put your home at risk of water damage from mold, rotting, pest infestation, and reduced energy efficiency. Moisture in your space can lead to a variety of unwanted issues, which is why it’s crucial to have a moisture-wicking tool such as a dehumidifier installed in your crawl space along with encapsulation.
Crawl space encapsulation offers a wide range of advantages for homeowners that include:
- Enhanced air quality in your crawl space and home;
- Reduced chances of pest infestation;
- Improves comfortable living conditions;
- Helps avoid fungi and mold issues responsible for structural damage;
- Makes your home energy efficient.
Crawl space encapsulation -The process
While the material and process cost may vary from one contractor to another, the encapsulation process involves four primary steps that are as follows:
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Crawl Space Preparation
The encapsulation step entails cleaning debris and sharp objects from the crawl space. Anything sharp-edged that may damage the insulating plastic needs to be removed. Once the rubble is removed, contractors grade the ground to level the surface.
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Sealing Open Spaces
Secondly, sealing any external openings such as vents and pipes including the space through which wiring and pipelines run is pivotal. It reduces unwanted air creeping in and keeps the crawl space waterproof.
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Installing Plastic Vapor Barrier
The third step in crawl space encapsulation is installing a layer of the plastic vapor barrier to your walls and floors. The vapor barrier is six millimeters thick with at least one-foot overlap. The plastic vapor barrier is stapled down or fastened to cover the crawl space completely. During plumbing and pest control inspections, a thick plastic wall will endure rough treatment.
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Conditioning
Lastly, removing existing moisture is next once the plastic vapor barrier seals off the crawl space. Establishing a robust drainage system and a sump pump can efficiently wick out the water. Your contractor might suggest installing a dehumidifier if you live in a flood-prone area.
Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Comfort and Energy Benefits
Encapsulating your crawl space improves air quality by preventing mold, allergens, and dust. It helps regulate floor temperature keeping your feet happy. Encapsulation helps maintain humidity levels indoors as well as in the crawlspace.
Crawl space encapsulation enables energy efficiency, preventing overuse of HVAC components ensuring temperature regulation throughout your home. It boosts the market value of your home, setting it apart by avoiding mold and pest infestation.
Health and Structural Benefits
Crawl space encapsulation removes radon, methane monoxide, and other volatile compounds and gasses called VOCs. It helps control condensation that prevents insulation saturation, mold growth, and rot.
Crawl space encapsulation reduces foundation movements and stabilizes it by keeping the soil drained and dry.
Protection against Mold and Pests
Pests such as termites thrive in wet and dark crawl spaces. Once they colonize, it isn’t long before they spread to your upper rooms and cause wood rotting in your foundation. Once they have infested in your homes, it can cause poor odor making it difficult to eradicate them.
Crawlspace encapsulation can help you keep moisture at bay and protect your space from vermin and mold. Insects like termites need water to survive. Having a robust dehumidifier installed in your crawl space can eliminate the possibility of significant damage from insect and pest infestation.
Encapsulating your crawl space ensures the air you breathe is healthy and free from mold, which can lead to serious health hazards. Crawl space encapsulation eliminates musty and wet odors from damaging your HVAC unit.
How long does Crawl Space Encapsulation last?
Crawl space encapsulation involves installing a plastic vapor barrier in the crawlspace along with mixture wicking equipment like a robust dehumidifier. Crawl space encapsulation discourages mold and pest infestation by making the space uninhabitable and removing standing water collected underneath the plastic vapor barrier.
Different crawl spaces operate in various conditions based on their spatial capacity, varying moisture levels, the kind of soil it is located on, and the water table in that area. The longevity of your crawl space encapsulation depends on these conditions and additional equipment installed along with the vapor barrier.
The thickness of the plastic vapor barrier can range from 6 mils to 20 mils, with one mil equals 39.27 mils. The general warranty period for crawl space encapsulation lasts between 15 to 20 years. However, in case you install a dehumidifier or a sump pump, encapsulation can last more than 20 years. If an underlayment is installed along with the vapor barrier, your contractor may offer a more extended warranty.
Conclusion
Finally, now that you know about the process and factors affecting encapsulation along with the benefits, contact a qualified professional provider today!
Atlantic Foundation & Repair are pioneers in all things home and foundation repair, with crawl space encapsulation just one of the many expert services we offer. Our team of experienced professionals helps make your home energy efficient and improve its comfort level.
Request a crawl space encapsulation assessment from our experts today and forget about crawl space and foundation damage!
