Do’s and Don’ts of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Many homes with unconditioned crawl spaces experience moisture related issues, such as mold and wood rot. Left unchecked, crawl space moisture issues can compromise the indoor air quality of the home and lead to reduced home value. To avoid these issues, experts recommend encapsulation. As with everything, there is a right and wrong way of doing things. Continue on to learn all about encapsulating the crawl space and the dos and don’ts of installing one.
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 BEFORE SEALING GAPS & CRACKS
Seal all the gaps and cracks in the walls and subfloor before installing the liner. After installation, the liner can cover large parts of the crawl space. This may hide areas that need repairs before covering.
Use hydraulic cement to fill cracks in the foundation wall. so, use around utility penetrations to stop small water leaks into the crawl space. Use closed cell expandable foam insulation to seal holes in the subfloor. This helps reduce the communication of air between the crawl space and living area.
When you use a dehumidifier in the crawl space, it is important toseal the foundation vents. Use insulation foam board and caulking. This will help keep the conditioned air from leaking out of the crawl space.
DON’T OVERLOOK THE IMPORTANCE OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM
A common mistake is thinking that encapsulating the basement or crawl space prevents water entry or flooding under houses. One of the most important take away’s is this. thisWater can enter and move inside a crawl space in two forms. As a liquid and as a gas. Both forms are addressed separately when sealing a crawl space.
It flows as a liquid through cracks in the foundation wall after it rains. Left uncontrolled, the waIt can also exist as a gas, as in water vapor. This vapor is humidity that is held by the air and transferred by its movement. The two types of moisture are addressed separately in a sealed crawl space.
Water vapor transpires easily from the ground surface into the crawl space. By not addressing the underlying moisture intrusion problem, the water enters the crawl space despite during rain events. It accumulates and then tis trapped under the liner causing what is known in the industry as the “Water Bed Effect” won’t come in. They believe 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 under the liner can be expensive to repair. The seams of the liner are sealed using using a vapor bond tape. To avoid install a perimeter crawl space drain that captures and controlls storm water as soon as it comes in.
THE DO’S OF CRAWL SPACE ENCAPSULATION
Now we know the don’ts of encapsulating a crawl space, now let’s do it right!
PREPARE 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.
