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<strong>What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?</strong>

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Homes with open-ventilated subterranean areas frequently experience moisture-related problems including mould and fungus development. The structural soundness and health of the house may be jeopardised by these problems. Crawl space basements are among the problematic locations for homeowners. Moisture can encourage termites and need costly crawl space repairs.

Experts advise using a professional-grade “crawl space encapsulation” to prevent these problems. Crawl space encapsulation is a method that can revitalise the useful area under your house even when it is not required. Among other issues, it provides a remedy for mould development, water damage, and poor indoor air quality. We cover all the information you need to know about encapsulated crawl space in this extensive blog.

Crawl Space Encapsulation: What Is It?

Encapsulation is the technique of closing crawl areas to lessen humidity, stop leaks, and avoid unfavourable consequences like mould growth and pest infestation. Crawl space encapsulation is the process of constructing a watertight barrier inside your crawl space. Additionally, it has sealed walls, insulation for the foundation vents, and an air dehumidifier for your crawl area.

It entails conditioning, caulking vents, and coating the floor and foundation walls with thick polyethene plastic sheets that overlay one another. On exposed wall and floor surfaces, some individuals additionally use vapour barriers. When you shut off the area, crawl space encapsulation could be the most effective. A dehumidifier can be used to keep the space’s humidity levels constant after you’ve sealed off the area.

Between insulation and crawl space encapsulation, many homeowners are unclear. Both, however, have distinct functions. For issues like humidity and ground moisture, crawl space encapsulation is a fantastic solution. However, for cold flooring, the insulation in the crawl space might be ideal.

Exactly Why Should Crawl Spaces Be Encapsulated?

Vapour barriers are used to regulate the climate in the crawl space basement so that moisture and humidity don’t accumulate and harm a house’s fundamental structure. Crawl areas need to be enclosed for this reason as well as to improve energy efficiency. It has been demonstrated that encapsulated crawl spaces are more effective at containing moisture that enters from the ground or air that comes in from the outside. This helps to improve the quality of the air you breathe by lowering mould allergens and musty odours.

Your home is safer structurally and healthier for the entire family when a vapour barrier is installed. You should think about the area that will be covered when considering encapsulating your crawl space. The cost of installation is often influenced by the area that the vapour barrier covers. The area beneath your home is important since crawl space encapsulation requires a lot of effort. To maintain the product’s lifetime and durability, a good vapour barrier should be employed.

How Much Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost?

The average cost of sealing a crawl space is $7,500. In some cases, the cost might reach $30,000 depending on a few factors, such as:

  • Your crawl space’s dimensions
  • The state in which the materials are Materials you will utilise
  • The business you choose

Before hiring contractors, make sure to look around for the most affordable crawl space encapsulation options. Enclosing your crawl space will keep it dry, but if there are large air holes that enable outside air to enter the crawl space basement, the technique won’t work. You must stop the air from coming in from the outside when encapsulating your crawl space or another area so that the dehumidifier can keep cooling the air.

How It Works

Cleaning the area is the first step towards encasing your crawl space. Depending on your scenario, this could need some bug eradication, or it can only involve cleaning the area and getting rid of any detritus that might be hiding there. You’ll have to install a dehumidifier to get rid of any moisture that does sneak in once the moisture barrier is put in place and completely sealed.

Crawl space dehumidifiers are available that are made to withstand challenging, humid environments. Additionally, you might want to invest in a remote humidity sensor, which will enable you to check the conditions in the crawl space without having to descend beneath the home.

Benefits of Encapsulating Your Crawl Space

Encapsulating the crawl area is a desirable selling point. Here are some advantages of crawl space encapsulation and how it may affect the value of your house.

Keeps Structural Integrity Intact

A property’s worth is safeguarded when it is kept up effectively. Failure of the insulation, moisture build-up, wood rot, bug infestations, and mould growth are all consequences of a damp crawl space. All of these elements have the potential to damage your building, turn off potential purchasers, and possibly reduce the value of your house. Fortunately, you can solve all of these problems by enclosing your crawl space.

Your dirt crawl area may be kept dry by plugging air leaks and applying a strong, long-lasting vapour barrier. This will also eliminate water retention and seepage. This reduces the humidity in your crawl area to a safe level and guards against the formation of mould, moisture, and wood rot. You are left with a more solid, long-lasting foundation as well as a healthier house.

Additional Storage Space

In the real estate market, additional storage space is a major selling point. Crawl space encapsulation increases a property’s useful and useable square footage, which can be used for extra storage.

Saves Energy

Did you realise that a home’s total energy usage profile includes the crawl space in a major way? The temperature in the crawl space can be stabilised by crawl space encapsulation. In the end, this contributes to lessening the strain on your cooling and heating systems, resulting in a 15–20% reduction in energy expenses.

Better Indoor Air Quality

Mould, germs, and other organisms that can contaminate your indoor air and impair its quality are frequently found in vented subterranean spaces. Since the crawl area is where a significant amount of the air you breathe—roughly 50%—comes from, you must enclose your crawl space with a strong barrier to boost the overall air quality of your home.

Reduces The Interest of Pests in Your Space

Ants and termites, for example, like moist, dark environments. Encapsulating crawl spaces reduces moisture and humidity levels, making the area less enticing to mice, insects, and other pests. Eliminating damp breeding conditions, stops bugs, rodents, and mould from establishing a base in your house. Crawl space encapsulation also aids in preventing typical pest-related problems such as insulation, wood, and electrical damage.

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