If you have a crawl space, it’s likely you don’t think much about it. And why would you? Other than being a useful way to install ductwork, plumbing, and electrical wiring, the space isn’t very functional. But not paying attention to your crawlspace is when trouble can happen. Crawl spaces were meant to be a buffer between your home and the wet earth below and without proper care, that moisture can invite mold, wood rot, and pest infestation!
Why You Should Encapsulate Your Crawl Space
Crawl Space neglect is understandable—it’s out of sight and out of mind. But not caring for your crawl space can lead to a host of expensive problems. Without an encapsulation, you’re likely to spend thousands of dollars addressing the indicators of uncontrolled moisture year after year. You’ll need to hire an exterminator to kill pests that keep returning. Then you’ll need a mold specialist to remove mold that continues to grow. You might buy air fresheners to hide the smell of mildew and rack up doctor’s bills to treat symptoms of mold exposure. Worst of all, you might need to shore up your foundation due to wood rot.
That’s why you need crawl space encapsulation. It’s a one-time solution that will keep your crawl space clean, dry, and pest-free for years.
What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation protects your entire crawl space from the elements by creating a self-contained environment. When done correctly, crawl space encapsulation provides a holistic approach to crawl space maintenance.
First, professionals address any existing issues like mold and pests. Then, they seal the vents and install a tough plastic vapor barrier to the floor (and sometimes the wall and ceiling) of your crawl space. This barrier acts as a waterproof layer between the ground and your home, effectively preventing more moisture to enter the space. Depending on your environment, some professionals will also recommend installing a commercial-grade dehumidifier to keep moisture at a minimum.
What are the Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation is typically a one-time investment that will dramatically improve the quality and value of your home.
- Prevent water damage to your foundation
- Remove the threat of mold
- Prevent the growth and smell of mildew
- Save money on home heating and cooling
- Avoid “sweaty” windows
- Avoid pest infestations.
With an encapsulation, you can stop worrying about moisture damage, enjoy an eco-friendlier home, and breathe cleaner air. Your home will be safer and more comfortable well into the future.
What’s Included in a Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl Space professionals will start by assessing your current space to determine what damage exists. They will treat any mold and mildew, remove pests, and replace saturated insulation with dry. This is an important step in the process to ensure that existing damage doesn’t continue to grow.
Next, crawl space professionals will seal vents, holes, and gaps around air ducts and pipes to help create a closed environment in your crawl space. Then, they will lay a heavy-duty vapor barrier in the floor of the crawl space and seal it with waterproof tape. Depending on your crawl space, they may opt to also cover the walls and ceiling too.
Finally, your crawl space expert may recommend installing a dehumidifier that will monitor the moisture in the space and keep humidity below 50%
Contact Crawl Space Care for a Free Encapsulation Estimate
CrawlSpace Care VA is committed to making homes safe and healthy for families. We offer free encapsulation estimates so you have all the information you need to get started. We make it easy to have a clean, healthy crawl space. Contact Crawl Space Care for your free estimate today!