Gaining an Insight on the Do’s And Don’ts of Crawl Space Encapsulation

Around 20 percent of all newly constructed houses in the United States are found to have crawl spaces. These spaces provide a wide variety of functions in the home, including housing the building structure, electrical, HVAC, gas lines, plumbing, and irrigation system.

If your house still has open vented crawl spaces, it is a matter of concern as, in this case, you are most likely to deal with moisture-related issues such as fungal, mold growth, and others.

These specific problems can compromise the structural integrity of your property. Moisture can attract termites and lead to costly crawl space repairs. It even puts your and your family member’s health at risk.

To avoid such concerns, opting for a professional crawl space encapsulation service provider is a good idea. In this comprehensive blog post, we will focus on informing you about the crawl space encapsulation process in detail to ensure all your doubts are clear by the end of this guide. So, let’s dig in:

What Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Mean?

Crawl space encapsulation involves adding a heavy-duty moisture barrier to the dirt floor of your crawl space, insulated walls, sealed foundation vents, and a special crawl space dehumidifier.

However, this process is most effective when your chosen crawl space encapsulation Raleigh NC company has completely sealed the space. There are also chances for them to use a dehumidifier after the space has been encapsulated, as it helps regulate moisture levels in the area.

If you want to make the best out of crawl space encapsulation service, there are certain things you should do and a few others you should refrain from doing. We have dedicated the following sections to inform you about these. Let’s check out the dos of crawl space encapsulation first:

Crawl Space Encapsulation: the Do’s

● Make the Crawl Space Completely Ready for Encapsulation

Before you choose the services of a crawl space encapsulation Raleigh, NC company, you should first check the present condition of your crawl space.

Based on its state, you must adopt steps to prepare it for the encapsulation process. Some of the most common issues that you will likely deal with incorporate the following:

➢ Mold Growth

A damp crawl space provides a favorable condition for the mold to grow. So, you must carefully inspect the HVAC equipment and floor joists for mold growth signs. On seeing mold, you should never delay taking necessary action. Your crawl space encapsulation Raleigh NC company is ready to start the actual encapsulation project after this problem is solved.

➢ Inadequate Drainage Around the Foundation of Your House

If your home lacks appropriate grading or an adequately maintained drainage system, there are high chances for the water to seep into your crawl space. Before you opt for a crawl space encapsulation service, you should talk to a drainage company to address these problems.

➢ Back-Drafting from Your Appliances

Another important thing you must do is carry out a safety inspection. The main aim behind doing this is to make sure that your combustion appliances are not emitting carbon monoxide, which could back-draft into your living space.

It could have hazardous outcomes if you encapsulate your crawl space without addressing this concern.

● Focus on Entirely Sealing the Floor, Walls, and Vents of Your Crawl Space

Once you have prepared your crawl space for the encapsulation procedure, it is time to start the work. Your primary focus should be to seal the crawl space in the best possible manner. Be sure to follow the below-mentioned steps to make this happen:

➢ Install a Heavy Plastic Vapor Barrier on Your Crawlspace Floor

Consider installing a heavy plastic vapor barrier on your crawl space floor to keep all moisture out of the crawl space. Along with the floor, focus on attaching the vapor barrier to the air handler, piers, equipment, walls, etc.

➢ Seal Off Every Single Opening and Vent

Consider sealing off all openings to the outdoors by making use of foam board and spray foam.

➢ Air Seal All Cracks and Gaps

After you have sealed all the important vents and openings, it becomes essential for you to focus on any other remaining cracks and gaps. It may include HVAC drain line runs, plumbing penetrations, band joists, and wiring.

● Choose the Right Crawl Space Encapsulation Raleigh NC Company

If you want to get the best outcomes, then it is vital to select a reputed crawl space encapsulation Raleigh, NC, company to do the work for you. DIY encapsulation is a bad idea, especially for homeowners lacking crawl space experience and training.

A professional crawl space encapsulation service provider has the right expertise and skills, so they can ensure that your work is carried out appropriately. Also, they can accomplish the project more quickly.

Crawl Space Encapsulation: the Don’ts

● Don’t Use Fiberglass in Between Floor Joists

It would be best if you dropped the idea of using fiberglass. This material fails to perform well in the case of crawl space insulation.

The results are minimal when the material is installed in a vented and unconditioned space. It would help if you refrained from using fiberglass unless you have decided not to dehumidify, seal, or condition your crawl space.

● Don’t Neglect the Significance of a Drainage System

A few homeowners believe encapsulations will keep water out of their crawl spaces. Due to this reason, they do not require a drainage system. However, it is not a good idea to overlook the importance of a drainage system in this case.

Encapsulation does not avert water entry or flooding underneath houses. And water can lead to considerable damage to the foundation, which is costly to repair.

● Don’t Encapsulate Without a Sealable Space

Crawl space encapsulation is a great way to dry your crawl space area. However, the effectiveness of this process is effectively lowered if there are significant air gaps, as these can let outside air enter the space. While carrying out the crawl space encapsulation, you should seal the outside air sources to achieve the best results.

● Don’t Overlook the Importance of Professional Installation

As mentioned in the above section, seeking the assistance of a professional crawl space encapsulation Raleigh NC service provider is essential if you lack the skills to carry out this work on your own. If you attempt to do this independently, you risk wasting your money, effort, and time.

Conclusion

Now that you have finished reading this detailed guide, we are sure all your doubts about crawl space encapsulation are clear. After learning about the do’s and don’ts, your chances of making mistakes are significantly lower.

It also ensures the crawl space encapsulation procedure is carried out smoothly. Hopefully, you have found this blog post informative and helpful.

Are you looking for a reliable crawl space encapsulation service provider? If you answer yes, look no further than Atlantic Foundation & Crawl Space Repair. They are a well-known crawl space encapsulation, foundation repair, and basement waterproofing company proudly serving Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Surrounding Areas, and Eastern North Carolina with their top-notch services.

To learn more about their services, feel free to contact Atlantic Foundation and Crawl Space Repair today.