Most people don’t like visiting their “cave like” crawl
space. Ignoring the conditions in the crawl space is a thing of the past. Unhealthy
air, damaging conditions, and a perfect environment for creepy crawlies are all
reasons to look at repairs and improve the indoor air quality of your home. The
list of benefits, however, goes far beyond just saving on the energy bills and
cleaner air.
Crawl spaces are typically vented to remove moisture through
evaporation—groundwater, rainwater, and air humidity enter the crawl space
and, under the right conditions, condense on duct work and crawlspace framing.
It’s a fairly ineffective way to deal with a part of the house that is prone to
dampness.
Vented crawl spaces are a liability, as they allow
access to pests, encourage mold growth, and diminish a home’s energy
efficiency. That’s why sealed, continuously dry crawl spaces are now considered
more effective and are healthier for the home.
One method of sealing a crawl space is by
encapsulation—lining the floor as well as the foundation walls with overlapping
sheets of heavy polyethylene plastic. Additional strategies—including
insulating the foundation walls and using the existing HVAC system to heat and
cool the crawl space to the same temperature as the rest of the house—will
further increase the effectiveness of crawl space encapsulation. Ultimately,
the result will be a dry crawl space, along with the following benefits:
Improved Structural
Integrity
Of course, wet soil can undermine your foundation, which is why gutter systems are designed to channel water as far away from the home as possible. However, gutter systems are pointless if the crawl space is perpetually wet. By keeping the soil supporting your foundation dry, crawl space encapsulation can prevent extensive and expensive structural problems further down the road.
Of course, wet soil can undermine your foundation, which is why gutter systems are designed to channel water as far away from the home as possible. However, gutter systems are pointless if the crawl space is perpetually wet. By keeping the soil supporting your foundation dry, crawl space encapsulation can prevent extensive and expensive structural problems further down the road.
Increased Comfort
Levels and Energy Savings
Encapsulating along with insulating and air conditioning your crawl space may produce dramatic energy savings. Even crawl space encapsulation alone should create a noticeable difference. It’s harder to cool your home in the summer, for example, if the space beneath your floor is full of hot, humid air; after outside air is banished from the crawl space, your HVAC system should be able to work more efficiently and provide more uniform temperatures throughout the house in any season.
Encapsulating along with insulating and air conditioning your crawl space may produce dramatic energy savings. Even crawl space encapsulation alone should create a noticeable difference. It’s harder to cool your home in the summer, for example, if the space beneath your floor is full of hot, humid air; after outside air is banished from the crawl space, your HVAC system should be able to work more efficiently and provide more uniform temperatures throughout the house in any season.
Fewer Incursions by
Mold and Pests
When it comes to organisms colonizing and thriving in a wet crawl space, mold and mildew are two of the chief concerns; once established in the crawl space, they can spread throughout the house, encourage wood rot, and be difficult to eradicate. Termites, which love damp wood, aren’t far behind in terms of the whole-house damage they can wreak. Plenty of other insects and rodents are attracted to dark, moist places that are free of predators—a typical wet crawl space. A polyethylene barrier will keep out not only moisture but also the mold and pests that tend to accompany it.
When it comes to organisms colonizing and thriving in a wet crawl space, mold and mildew are two of the chief concerns; once established in the crawl space, they can spread throughout the house, encourage wood rot, and be difficult to eradicate. Termites, which love damp wood, aren’t far behind in terms of the whole-house damage they can wreak. Plenty of other insects and rodents are attracted to dark, moist places that are free of predators—a typical wet crawl space. A polyethylene barrier will keep out not only moisture but also the mold and pests that tend to accompany it.
Crawlspace
encapsulation is one of the best things you can do to improve the air quality
of your home.
Please contact our office for a free assessment and
evaluation. We will propose a solution to your problematic crawl
space. 770-594-9969.
