The humble crawl space is an often under-appreciated entity that lies, forgotten, beneath the floors of your home. Many homeowners don’t even know that 50% of the air we breathe on the first floor is air that travels up from the crawl space! If your crawl space air is fresh and clean, this isn’t a problem. However, these moist, unattended areas are often catalysts for mold and bacteria. That’s why more and more homeowners are taking advantage of crawl space encapsulation. Sealing this area keeps the moisture out, so your indoor air quality stays clean and safe for your family to breathe.
What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Wet wood leads to more than just mold and mildew. It also attracts insects such as ants and termites. Encapsulating your crawl space is an easy, long-term solution that helps homeowners avoid moisture and mold issues developing underneath the house.
Why Encapsulate Your Crawl Space?
If your crawl space is vented, the air that rises into your living area is affected by the moisture that previously developed in the moist nooks and crannies. This stagnant moisture is often accompanied by bacteria, mold, mold spores and other airborne pathogens. In addition to indoor air quality, there are a few other reasons why you should consider crawl space encapsulation.
- Mold and Bacteria– It’s worth mentioning again that your indoor air quality not only affects the smell of your home, but you and your family’s health. The best way to prevent mold inhalation is to make sure your air quality is clean year-round.
- Energy Conservation– If your crawl space is suffering from structural damage, you’ve probably noticed your energy bills getting higher. Encapsulating your crawl space ensures that good air stays inside!
- Avoid Insect Infestations: Nothing loves damp wood more than ants and termites. Additionally, structural damage in your crawl space just means more opportunities for insects to invade. If you’ve noticed an increase of pests in your home, your crawl space may be the culprit!
Signs You Need Crawl Space Encapsulation
There are several signs that indicate your crawl space may be in need of attention. The following are common factors that lead homeowners to consider encapsulation.
- Mold
- Musty or mildew smells
- Sagging ceiling
- Uneven or squishy floors
- Higher energy costs (If you notice your energy costs are suddenly higher than usual, you may have a structural issue in your crawl space!)
- Insect infestations
- Damp insulation
If you start to notice any of these symptoms of moisture problems, call Foundation Pro immediately! They will evaluate your crawl space and ensure you’re taking the right steps towards a properly sealed home.
Seal Your Crawl Space and Keep Mold and Insects Out
Finally, it’s time to seal! Your foundation repair technicians will use a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier to cover every facet of your crawl space. The barrier is then sealed with industry-standard sealing tape.
To reduce any lingering possibility of mold or mildew, the reinforced polyethylene is treated with an antimicrobial finish that protects your liner against the growth of bacteria.
Maintaining Healthy Humidity Levels
After you seal your crawl space, the final step is to maintain healthy humidity levels to ensure your indoor air quality stays under 50%. By adding a high-performance dehumidifier air filtration unit to your crawl space, you can maintain a safe and pathogen-free air quality in your crawl space! A professional will be able to identify the most suitable dehumidifier. Consult with your HVAC contractor to make sure the venting is adequate.
Tarps and Termite Bonds
Do you have an existing termite contract? A lot of people don’t consider the control a termite company has over their home modifications! Termite companies can actually place restrictions on your crawl space coverage, so make sure to check with them before starting a big encapsulation project.
Call Foundation Pro Today!
Once a crawl space suffers from moisture and structural damage, it’s important to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Call Foundation Pro for a FREE estimate! Our experienced foundation repair technicians will develop a custom solution to suit your home.
