Is Crawl Space Encapsulation Really Necessary?
Protecting Your Home From Moisture Is Critical to Protecting to Your Investment
At Peerless Environmental, we understand the importance of a healthy and safe home environment. One often overlooked area that can contribute to a range of issues in a home is the crawl space.
💡 Discover the benefits of crawl space encapsulation because it’s pivotal for your home’s health and energy efficiency.
If your home is built upon a crawl space, as many of the homes in Greenville South Carolina are, you might be shocked to learn that as much as 50% of the air you breathe can flow up from your crawl space. So it is incredibly important to keep that space clean and dry. Even if your crawl space is ventilated, it is bound to have moisture that can put you and your family’s health at risk. How so? Groundwater moisture will facilitate mold, wood rot, and pest infestation, and decrease energy efficiency. This moisture can and will create issues, so it is critical to reduce and remove as much of it as possible.
A moisture vapor barrier is good, but not as effective as encapsulation. Taking steps to seal off your crawl space will protect your home’s wooden framing foundation. Investing in a dehumidifier and crawl space encapsulation will make a significant difference in the moisture below your home while becoming more energy efficient.
What Are the Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Improve Air Quality
When moisture and mold are allowed to thrive in a crawl space, it can lead to poor indoor air quality. This can cause a range of health issues, such as allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems. By encapsulating the crawl space, you can help to improve the air quality in your home and create a healthier living environment for you and your family.
Stop Mold and Mildew Issues
Mold of some kind is almost inevitable when you have a home built on a crawl space, but not with a crawl space that has been encapsulated. No more musty smells or odors will enter your home from the crawl space. Which means the air that you breathe will be cleaner and healthier.
Reduce Pest Activity
Moisture in the crawl space is like an open invitation to pests you do not want hanging out in your home like rodents and insects. By sealing off the crawl space, you can help to prevent pests from entering your home and causing damage. This can not only protect your home from damage but also help to reduce the risk of diseases that pests can carry.
Prevent Structural Damage
Structural damage to crawl spaces can include rot, foundation issues, and termite damage, all of which can impact the integrity of your home. Crawl space encapsulation helps to prevent moisture from entering the space and causing these types of damage.
Increase Energy Efficiency
With every investment, there should be a consideration for the ROI. Increased energy efficiency with the heating and cooling of your home is one of the greatest realized paybacks. When a crawl space is properly sealed, it can help to reduce drafts and prevent warm air from escaping. This can help to lower your energy bills and make your home more comfortable year-round.
Increase Home Value
Crawl space encapsulation has practical advantages, but it can also raise the value of your house. When it comes time to put your house on the market, enclosing the crawl area might be a selling advantage because a healthy and secure home is always more appealing to prospective buyers.
What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
We have developed an approach that adds a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier that covers the crawl space, foundation walls, and in some cases the ceiling if necessary. This barrier works to keep moisture that comes from the earth under control. Combined with dehumidification, this will help to condition your crawl space and regulate moisture levels, preventing the buildup of mold and other contaminants.
The Crawl Space Encapsulation Process
Peerless Environmental first starts with a professional onsite evaluation of your home and the crawl space. Below is a list of what is typically included in the standard scope of work:
-
- The first step is to completely clear out the crawl space of all items not required to be under the home. Items that are being stored, etc.
- Prepare the surface by raking the soil smooth and flat.
- Removing any remaining debris.
- Potentially add an additional access door to increase ventilation.
- Removing all old, unneeded, or damaged insulation.
- Treat for visible mold and mildew as needed.
- Adding up to 2.5 inches of foam insulation on all block walls.
- Installing a 20mm liner on walls and floor.
- Installing dehumidifiers and a drainage pipe as needed.
- Addition of steel wool around all pipes leading into the house with spray foam insulation.
- Installation of new insulation.
Crawl space encapsulation is a valuable investment for any home. Not only does it improve the overall health and safety of the living environment, but it can also increase the energy efficiency and value of the home.
At Peerless Environmental, we have the expertise and experience and will provide an accurate, honest, free no- cost evaluation of your home’s crawl space and take moisture measurements so we can properly assess and educate you on any needed steps.
The Peerless Promise includes a warranty that will give you peace of mind in addition to a moisture-free crawl space. Contact us today with any of your questions.
Last updated on February 27th, 2024 at 04:58 pm