Comprehensive Guide To Crawl Space Encapsulation
If your home consists of a crawl space, you must encapsulate it to reduce the HVAC consumption and utility bills. A well-maintained crawl space streamlines the electrical, plumbing, gas lines, and irrigation system of your home. Guide to Crawl Space Encapsulation can benefit you, especially if you live in a damp environment prone to moisture-related issues.
Also, it can keep mold and pest infestations at bay, improving the efficiency of your HVAC system. A professional foundation repair and maintenance service can offer expert recommendations helping you prevent damage to your homes.
Let us first understand the basics of crawl space encapsulation and its importance. Also, we have compiled a list of all you need to know about crawl space encapsulation in this comprehensive guide.
What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Almost 20% of homes in the US have crawl space. Encapsulating means creating a robust moisture barrier, sealing foundation vents, insulating walls, and installing a dehumidifier.
Crawl space encapsulation is most effective under expert supervision. It is a common practice to install a dehumidifier that can help wick moisture away from your crawl space.
Crawl Space Encapsulation vs. Insulation
It is common to get confused between crawl space encapsulation and insulation. These two procedures are not as similar as they may sound.
Crawl space encapsulation is ideal for a damp and moist environment to prevent mold and pest infestations. However, crawl space insulation is used to insulate cold floors.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of crawl space encapsulation depends on factors such as the size of your crawl space, its current condition, the materials used, and the contractor you choose to hire. An average cost for crawl space encapsulation is around $7500, going up to as high as $30,000.
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Atlantic foundation and repair offer the most cost-effective crawl space encapsulation services ensuring all projects are specially curated to prevent the buildup of poisonous gasses and potential damage to the foundation. The Do’s and Don’ts of Crawl Space Encapsulation are as follows.
The Do’s
Now that we have covered things to be cautious about when considering crawl space encapsulation. Let us look at the dos.
1) Getting Your Space Ready
Firstly, let us take a look at the issues you need to resolve to get your crawl space ready for encapsulation:
2) Improper Drainage System
If your home has a poor drainage system, it can cause water to seep into your crawl space, which can fester mold and pests in the long run. So, if you notice a pool of water in your foundation, talk to a drainage company to get it fixed before considering encapsulation.
3) Mold Growth
If you live in a damp environment, the chances are that your crawl space suffers from mold growth issues. Before considering encapsulation, check your floor and HVAC systems for any signs of mold and treat them while preparing your area for the actual encapsulation project.
Once you have prepared your crawl space for encapsulation with the help of a professional contractor, the actual encapsulation process begins.
4) Install A Heavy-Duty Plastic Vapor Barrier
Use a heavy-grade plastic vapor barrier covering all the nooks and corners to keep moisture from your crawl space. Remember to attach the vapor barrier to walls and equipment as well. A professional expert in encapsulation techniques is more efficient than taking it up as a DIY project.
5) Seal Off Every Opening
It is vital to seal off every opening and air gap that lets outside air inside your crawl space. The best way to do so is by using spray foam and foam board to seal all the openings in your crawl space.
The Don’ts
An improperly encapsulated crawl safe can cause irreversible damage to your health from poisonous gasses, mold growth, and pest infestation. Crawl space encapsulation is an investment that, when done correctly, has numerous benefits.
Let us look at things to be cautious about when considering crawl space encapsulation.
1) Don’t Encapsulate A Space With Holes.
Crawl space encapsulation helps keep the area dry only if your space does not have significant air gaps allowing contact with outside air. The first step is to identify and seal out all cracks and holes, streamlining the dehumidifying process.
2) Don’t Forget To Install An Efficient Drainage System.
It is misconceived that encapsulation prevents water damage, which is far from the truth. Also, crawl space encapsulation does not contain water damage and flooding inside the space. So, it is crucial to have a robust drainage system in place.
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Water damage in the crawl space can cost you thousands of dollars and damage your foundation. To protect your crawl space from water damage, you can install a sump pump that directs water away from your area.
3) Don’t Use Fiberglass.
Fiberglass has a lousy performance review associated with crawl space insulation and encapsulation. Also, it displays minimal to no results as the material soaks moisture losing its R-value. It renders fiberglass insulation ineffective, causing it to sag bearing the weight of the water and leading to holes in your encapsulation blanket.
Conclusion:
While DIY home projects may seem like a fun and cost-effective way to upgrade your homes, when it comes to anything related to foundation repair, your best bet is a professional installation.
Crawl space encapsulation requires more than a financial investment; you risk wasting your time and money if you lack the necessary skills and experience. It is crucial to choose a reputable firm that has experience in crawl space encapsulation and is familiar with the minute details of the process.
Atlantic Foundation & Repair is a Licensed Construction company with expertise in residential repair services. Contact us today to learn more about crawl space encapsulation.