When your house rests over a crawl space, it becomes the home of many pests and insects. Crawl space encapsulation can create a clean, dry area free from pests and mold that affect the air in your house.
What Are The Benefits Of Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation controls the airflow and humidity. When the moisture is high, mold grows. Humidity that is too high can cause damage to the wood under and around your house.
When you seal the area under your house, it will reduce water seepage, which causes mold to grow on surfaces.
It helps to eliminate water condensation. In the summer, warm, moist air blows through traditional crawling spaces and encounters cold drains. Condensation occurs and drips onto the floor, forming a puddle. This moisture dramatically increases the humidity and fuels the growth of mold.
Up to half of the air in the house comes from the crawl space. Encapsulation will improve the health of the air.
Due to the low humidity and accessibility, insects, termites, and rodents are less of a problem. A monitor in the crawl space also helps homeowners know precisely how high the humidity is and what they can do in case it is too high.
Why do you have a Crawl Space?
Crawl spaces were built to buffer the house and the damp, wet earth below. This seemed to make sense, especially since they were also a convenient place to put utility cables and ductwork used to circulate air throughout the house.
Instead of serving as a buffer, crawl spaces actually collect water and create humid air. This humid environment introduces a number of problems, including mold and mildew, musty odors, and moist sills and framing that can lead to structural damage and pest infestations.
In recent years, the ability to track a home’s heating and cooling efficiency and air quality have shed light on the need for crawl space encapsulation.
Open crawl spaces will need to be inspected by a technician to see if encapsulation will help you.
How Encapsulation Works
First, you must clean the area very well. Cleaning involves sweeping the space out, removing debris and any pests. During cleaning, the technical can use pest deterrent methods to help with any issues.
Next, you must attach the moisture barrier evenly on the floor joists to the foundations using a seal tape. You may need to install a dehumidifier to help remove any moisture that is already there. A remote humidity monitor will help you keep track of conditions in the crawl space.
Who Should Encapsulate?
Although anyone with a crawl space can encapsulate, people living in humid and wet areas will benefit the most. Due to high humidity and moisture levels, mildew and mold multiply in dark crawl spaces.
Whenever you notice any signs of mold in or around your home, call an expert to remove the mold and have your crawl space encapsulated. If you live with someone susceptible to allergies, protect their health and encapsulate the house. Health is more important than the price you will pay for encapsulating.