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Crawl Space Encapsulation Explained
The goal of crawl space encapsulation is to create a vapor barrier that stops moisture from having access to the area under your home. With a quality encapsulation, you can turn a damp, moldly crawl space into an area that is dry, clean, and free of mold and other potential problems. In essence, it serves as an instant and long-lasting crawl space repair.
With encapsulation, thick plastic is placed on the crawlspace floor to create the desired vapor barrier.The plastic should run up the foundation walls but should not cover the ceiling of the crawl space. Otherwise, if a water line springs a leak, it could drip for a long time before the problem becomes obvious. Finding the leak’s location could be difficult as well.
Additionally, this floor, wall, and ceiling type of encapsulation makes it impossible for future termite inspection. Without a visual way to determine if termites are present, your encapsulated undercrawl could cost you down the road.
Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
There are many reasons residents of Cleveland, Chattanooga, and other areas of East Tennessee have chosen to encapsulate their crawl spaces. A few reasons people are turning to crawlspace encapsulation include:
● Air Quality—According to research, as much as 40% of the air in your home passes through your crawlspace first. That means you’re breathing all the allergens, mold, moisture, and dust in your undercrawl every day. A vapor barrier instantly improves your indoor air quality, not to mention reducing any foul smell that may be coming from the soil.
● Reduced Radon Gas—Rising from the soil, radon is a serious concern that also affects the quality of indoor air of your living space. The United States Environmental Protection Agency found exposure to radon’s harmful gases to be the top cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. With a sealed crawl space, radon can’t enter your home.
● Destroyed Insect Habitat—Termites, roaches, ants, and other pests need water for an attractive living environment. With a vapor barrier installment, you cut off moisture from the soil. This makes your home inhospitable to insects, reducing your need for pest control.
●Moisture Damage Prevention—Every part of your undercrawl benefits from a dry, clean area. From floor joists to band joists to foundation piers, your undercrawl does best without moisture.
● Lowered Energy Bills—Look in your undercrawl and you may find damaged air ducts. This allows the passage of air from your undercrawl into your home through the air ducts. This can result in a foul smell and cause your air conditioning and heater to work overtime. A moist crawl space with high relative humidity raises heating and cooling costs. An encapsulation project can change that, setting you up for increased energy efficiency.
