What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation is the addition of a heavy-duty moisture barrier to the floor of your crawl space, sealed foundation vents, insulated walls, and a crawl space dehumidifier.
Due to the damp and humid environment, crawl spaces often face a multitude of problems, such as sagging floors, mold growth, and excess humidity. Encapsulating your crawl space is one of the most significant changes you will make to your home right now. It’s a straightforward project that will keep moisture and pests out of your home while maintaining structural integrity and indoor air quality.
To fully enclose the crawl space, dense layers of heavy-duty polyethylene are applied to the floors, foundation walls, and sometimes even the roof. Enclosing crawl spaces is an excellent way to keep moisture out and regulate temperature.
How To Prepare For Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Since the materials that allow encapsulation to function were created relatively recently, many homeowners will have this process completed without doing any necessary preparation work first. Here are some of the ways you can properly prepare:
- Mold: You will want to ensure that there is no mold growth in your crawl space before beginning an encapsulation project. Look for signs of mold growth in the floor joists and HVAC equipment. You do not want to trap any mold behind heavy-duty polyethylene. You will need proper mold remediation services to ensure that the mold does not grow back.
- Appliance Back-Draft: It is a good idea to conduct a safety check to ensure that your combustion equipment does not emit carbon monoxide into your living room via backdraft. Enclosing your crawlspace without addressing this issue can endanger you and your family.
- Secure Vents and Openings: You want to keep as much of the outside world out of your crawl space as possible. The most effective approach is to close all exterior gaps completely. After the big holes and vents have been fixed, it’s time to focus on any remaining cracks and gaps. Band joists, plumbing entrances, HVAC drain line runs, and wiring. Doing this will ensure that the indoor air quality of your crawl space is maintained.
- Don’t Use Spray Foam Insulation: Although foam insulation is beneficial, you shouldn’t use it in your crawl space. Due to the area’s natural dampness, spray foam as your insulation can trap moisture between the crawl space’s walls and the foam. As a result, moisture will leak into the base, creating a perfect atmosphere for mold and wood rot to flourish. Both of these factors can endanger the architectural strength of the house.
- Don’t Use Fiberglass Insulation: Using fiberglass as your insulation is not suited to wet conditions. If you place it in the crawl space, the insulation will quickly absorb moisture and turn into an ideal breeding ground for decay. Polystyrene or foam board insulation is the most ideal for crawl spaces.
Our team at American Eagle Professional Services have years of experience and specialize in providing complete protection for your crawl space by installing a crawl space barrier. This system is specifically designed to seal your crawl space and control humidity levels, this process is known as crawl space encapsulation. By applying a combination of products designed specifically for crawl spaces, our team has been able to provide superior crawl space encapsulation using this proven method.
Trust American Eagle For Crawl Space Encapsulation Services
Our team of experts provides superior crawl space repair. If you are in need of crawl space waterproofing and encapsulation contact us today by filling out our online contact form or by calling (410) 263-9682 to schedule an inspection and appointment.
