While the crawl space plays an essential role in many Gastonia (North Carolina) homes, people tend to forget it to their detriment. Neglection causes high energy bills, water damage, mold growth, and infestation plague. All these would make a modern living and surviving a less-than-enjoyable experience. Fortunately, encapsulation can turn things around. What is it?
Crawl space encapsulation is an excellent sealing method that involves lining the foundation walls and the floor with overlapping sheets of thick polyethylene plastic. This creates and develops an airtight vapor barrier that seals moisture out of this subfloor area. Depending on a person’s location, a constructor can install a dehumidifier to control moisture levels.
Encapsulating your crawl space boosts the value of your home, improves the air quality inside it, and helps you prevent severe issues like structural damage or insect infestation. Dependable home services are dedicated to meeting your crawl space needs in a timely and competent manner. In addition, you’ll have excellent contractor experience throughout the crawl space encapsulation procedure because of our detail-oriented personnel.
HydroHelp911 follows the following steps in the crawl space encapsulation procedure.
● A thorough examination of the vented crawl space’s condition is recommended.
● Removing old insulation, addressing moisture concerns, removing bugs, and repairing cracks are all tasks that need to be completed.
● Foam insulation is sprayed around external pipes and ducts to seal holes, vents, and gaps.
● A heavy-duty plastic vapor barrier is applied to the floor and walls.
● To guarantee that there are no gaps, tape and fasteners may be applied to certain areas.
● Install a dehumidifier to maintain moisture levels in the crawl area at an acceptable and constant level (below 50%) throughout the year.
The Encapsulation Process
A four-step process is involved in encapsulating a home. While the materials used may differ from one constructor to the next, the method is essentially the same. This is how we go about it:
Step 1, Preparing the Crawl Space: First and foremost, we’ll clear the crawl space of all garbage and sharp objects. Sharp objects, such as boulders, can break the insulating material. Thus it must be removed. After that, we grade the ground to make it level.
Step 2, Sealing Apertures: Once the crawl space is finished, we’ll seal any exterior entrances, such as vents and pipes, as well as any wires that come in from the outside. This will keep and maintain the room dry by sealing off any unwanted air.
Step 3, Installing a Vapor Barrier: Next, your walls and floor will be covered in a layer of plastic vapor barrier. It usually is six millimeters thick and overlaps at least one foot before being stapled or fixed to cover the crawl space. Our technology is a genuine 20-mil vapor barrier liner with seam strength exceeding 25 mils. This sturdy plastic can withstand complicated handling during plumbing and termite inspections.
Step 4, Conditioning: After sealing the crawl area, the next step is to remove any remaining moisture. You can get rid of humidity by employing dehumidifiers or vents that go all the way to the living room. Again, it’s critical to establish a drainage system and a sump pump if you reside in a flood-prone location. If your crawl space is damaged and mold-infested, you’ll need to fix it before you can enclose it.
Watch HydroHelp911’s video on crawl space encapsulation. Contact us today to get a free price estimate.
Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Enclose your crawl space if you want to make your home more welcoming, save money on monthly electricity bills, and avoid costly repairs.
ELIMINATE MOLD.
Mold, like bugs, flourishes in wet floors and walls, which are caused by an unconditioned crawl space. Mold can be harmful to your health. Allergies and other common respiratory ailments, such as asthma, can be triggered by exposure to mold spores. Encapsulation keeps your crawl area dry, preventing mold from growing and colonizing your living space.
LOWER ENERGY BILLS
Encapsulated crawl areas are more energy-efficient than before since they are insulated and conditioned. When rim joists are protected and closed-cell foam is employed, energy savings range from 15-20%. When compared to your neighbor, who does not have an encapsulated crawl space, you will use the HVAC system significantly less.
BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS
Another advantage of encapsulating your crawl space is that it improves your home’s comfort. In the summer, a vented crawl area makes the house hotter, while in the winter, it makes the house colder. Both have the potential to make the inside uncomfortable.
Any changes in the external environment will have an impact on the inside environment as well. Also, keep in mind that the crawl space/basement provides 50% of the interior air you breathe. By enclosing this space, you can keep radon and other harmful gasses from entering your home.
PREVENTS PEST AND INSECT INFESTATION
Pests and crawling insects are usually always attracted to a damp and dark crawl space. When they first enter, they immediately proliferate and take over the house. Both can cause damage to wood joists and other items. Even more concerning is the fact that eradicating them can be difficult and costly. A plastic barrier will keep moisture out of the area and make it less appealing to bugs.
IMPROVES THE AIR QUALITY
Encapsulating your crawl space improves clean air circulation throughout your home, making it healthier for your friends and family to breathe. Moisture thrives in crawl spaces that aren’t adequately sealed. Humid air is no longer pumped around your home once moisture is removed.
INCREASED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
The foundation might be weakened by wet soil after a downpour. As a result, water is always directed away from the foundation walls. But that isn’t the only thing that can jeopardize the structural integrity of your home. A crawl area with a vent will help as well. When combined with interior drainage and a sump pump system, crawl space encapsulation maintains the soil around the foundation’s edge dry, preventing fractures and soil shift, leading to significant and costly structural issues.
BETTER FLOORING
The temperature of your home’s hardwood and tile floors will be more comfortable to walk on with crawl space encapsulation, especially during the winter months. During the warmer summer months, encapsulation stops your home from feeling moist and humid.
The success of your crawl space encapsulation depends on how well it is installed. Consistency and accuracy are crucial when removing barriers, so hire professionals with crawl space encapsulation experience for long-term results. HydroHelp911 provides dependable crawl space encapsulation, as well as other home remodeling and repair services.
HydroHelp911 is fully qualified to handle all of your home repair requirements. We’re known for providing trustworthy advice, high-quality products, and expert service. We are your go-to contractor in Gastonia, North Carolina, because we offer a lifetime labor warranty.
Do I have a problem with my crawl space?
Are any of the following factors present in your home or crawl space? If this is the scenario, you should have your crawl space inspected by a specialist.
- Crawl space with exposed vents and a dirt floor – Despite the moisture and mold problems they cause, crawl spaces with open vents and a dirt floor are nevertheless allowed by construction codes in many regions.
- Symptoms of allergies and asthma – Mold spores and dust mites are among the most frequent indoor air pollutants and allergies, especially in moist crawl spaces and basements.
- Fiberglass insulation in the crawl space is the WRONG material to use when insulating a crawl space. It absorbs moisture, loses its R-value, attracts mold, encourages wood decay, and eventually falls out of position.
To receive a crawl space examination and repair price estimate, contact HydroHelp911 today.
Is the cost of crawl space encapsulation justified?
Although the installation is costly, it can save you hundreds of dollars by lowering your electricity bills, avoiding floor or ceiling repairs, and minimizing water damage and pest-caused wood deterioration.
What is the general time it takes to encapsulate a crawl space?
The encapsulation process could take one to two days, depending on the size of your crawl space. Even if you intend to encapsulate your crawl space on your own, seek professional advice first.
HydroHelp911 is available to assist you with any job.
Is a dehumidifier required in an encased crawl space?
Every encapsulated crawl space must have a drying mechanism. Although we recommend using a dehumidifier, contractors typically employ the “supply air” method to dry your crawlspace. In certain homes, supply air may be sufficient for drying out the crawlspace.
