Do’s and Don’ts of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Many homes with crawl spaces suffer from moisture issues, such as mold and mildew. Moisture issues can compromise the efficiency of your HVAC equipment. To avoid these issues, experts recommend encapsulation. Keep reading to learn about the dos and don’ts of crawl space encapsulation.
WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN ENCAPSULATING YOUR CRAWL SPACE
When you’re encapsulating your crawl space, you want to make sure it is installed correctly. Here are some of the don’ts when encapsulating your crawl space.
DON’T ENCAPSULATE WITHOUT A SEALABLE SPACE
When you go to encapsulating your crawl space, be sure to pay attention that there are not any large gaps that are allowing air to enter. This will keep the encapsulation from working properly.
When your crawl space is getting encapsulated, it is critical to seal out the outside air sources to allow the dehumidifier to condition the air below.
DON’T OVERLOOK THE IMPORTANCE OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Oftentimes, homeowners assume that once their crawl space is encapsulated that water will no longer enter and that they don’t need a drainage system. The mistake with doing so is that encapsulation does not prevent water entry or flooding under houses.
Damage caused by water can be expensive to repair. To avoid a situation where water sits against your house, install a water drainage system that directs the water away.
THE DO’S OF CRAWL SPACE ENCAPSULATION
Now we know the don’ts of encapsulating a crawl space, now let’s look at the dos.
GET THE CRAWL SPACE READY FOR ENCAPSULATION
Depending on the current state of your crawl space, you need to get it ready first. Some of the issues you may need to address include:
INSUFFICIENT DRAINAGE
If your home doesn’t have proper grading or has a poorly maintained drainage system, chances are water has been seeping into your crawl space. If you see water pooling beneath your home, chances are you have a drainage issue and should get that fixed before encapsulation.
BACK-DRAFTING FROM YOUR APPLIANCES
Inspect your appliances to see if they are emitting carbon monoxide that could back-draft into your living space. Encapsulating your crawlspace without addressing this issue could prove hazardous to those living within the house.
SEAL THE FLOOR, WALLS, AND VENTS OF YOUR CRAWL SPACE
Once your crawl space is prepared for the encapsulation to start, you should be sure to seal the crawl space from the damp earth and outside air to the greatest extend possible. To make this happen, be sure to:
INSTALL A VAPOR BARRIER ON THE FLOOR OF THE CRAWLSPACE
The vapor barrier will help to keep all moisture out of the crawl space. In addition to the floor, attach the vapor barrier to walls, equipment, piers, air handler, etc. This will ensure the best results.
SEAL OFF EVERY OPENING
In order to keep the air from outside from getting into your crawl space, you will want to seal off all openings to the outdoors. This can be done with spray foam and foam board.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT CRAWL SPACE ENCAPSULATION PROFESSIONAL
A professional brings valuable experience to the table, ensuring that every aspect of the job is done properly. A crawl space encapsulation specialist can also complete the project much more quickly than you can. And since you get a top-notch encapsulation installation, you don’t need to worry about replacing the encapsulation soon.
ENCAPSULATE YOUR CRAWL SPACE THE RIGHT WAY
Of the home upgrades that you can invest in today, crawl space encapsulation is one of the most important. It’s an easy project that can go a long way in keeping moisture out while preserving your home’s structural integrity and indoor air quality.
