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 crawl space and basement 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 to seal 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. Water can enter the 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 is trapped under the liner causing what is known in the industry as the “Water Bed Effect”. 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 water damage, install a perimeter crawl space drain that captures and controls 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 EXTERIOR DRAINAGE PLAN
If your home has poor grading or a bad exterior drainage system, water might be entering 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.
REMOVE MOLD BEFORE ENCAPSULATION
Remove any mold growth on floor joist before sealing up the crawl space. Encapsulating the crawlspace seals the mold inside of the conditioned area. The mold may go dormant due to the dryer conditions, but it is still there. If you are allergic to mold, you are allergic to dormant mold.
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 ready for encapsulation, make sure to seal it from damp soil and outside air as much as you can. To make this happen, be sure to:
INSTALL THE LINER ON THE FLOOR AND UP THE WALLS
A reverse pool liner is the best way to describe how the vapor barrier should be installed for an encapsulated space. The wall curtain is usually the first section of vapor barrier to be installed during an encapsulation project. The liner is attached to the foundation wall with mechanical fasteners. The top is sealed with a low VOC adhesive caulk. The liner will be installed around sump pumps and below HVAC systems to ensure the best results.
SEAL OFF EVERY OPENING
To keep outside air from entering your crawl space, seal all openings to the outdoors. This can be done with spray foam insulation and insulation foam.
INSULATE CRAWL SPACE WALLS
One main difference between a standard vapor barrier and one that is encapsulated is where the insulation is installed. Typically the insulation is installed on the crawl space wall instead of in the floor joist cavity. Be sure to make the necessary wall repair before installing the insulation.
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 crawlspace encapsulation specialist can also complete the project much more quickly than the average home owner. A good encapsulation company usually offers a warranty of up to 25 years. This is valid if a yearly service agreement is in place and an annual inspection is done.
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. This project is simple and helps keep moisture out. It also protects your home’s structure and indoor air quality. Hiring the right crawl space encapsulation service is a way to do this hassle free and provide you peace of mind. Need encapsulation or foundation repair services in Charlotte and the surrounding area? Contact us today!
