Around 20% of newly constructed houses within the U.S. are crawl spaces. They play a variety of roles in your home, including providing the plumbing, HVAC, electrical gas lines, as well as irrigation systems for your home.
The majority of homes with ventilated crawl spaces are likely to be affected by moisture-related issues like mildew and mold. These issues could affect the effectiveness and endurance of your HVAC system. Additionally, water damage can cause costly repairs to your crawl space.
To prevent these problems Experts recommend the use of encapsulation.
What does crawl space Encapsulation? What is it that makes this home improvement worth the price? In addition what is the best way to create a successful crawl space Encapsulation?
If you’re thinking about these concerns, you’re at the right spot. In this complete guide, we’ll tell you everything you should be aware of about crawl space encapsulation.
What is Crawl space encapsulation?
Creating a waterproof barrier inside your crawl space is called crawl space encapsulation. It also includes insulation of the foundation vents, sealed walls as well as an air dehumidifier for your crawl space.
Crawl space encapsulation can be most efficient when you seal the area completely. After you’ve encapsulated the area, you can make use of a dehumidifier in order to maintain the humidity levels within the space.
Many homeowners are confused between crawl space encapsulation and space insulation. However, both serve different purposes. Crawl space encapsulation is a great option for dealing with problems like humidity and ground moisture. However the crawl space insulation can be perfect for cold floors.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of crawl space sealing is around $7,500. The price could be up to $30,000 in certain occasions, depending on many variables, including:
- The dimensions that your crawlspace is
- The condition in which it is
- Materials you will use
- The contractor you select
For the most cost-effective crawl space encapsulation solutions be sure to conduct some comparison shopping prior to engaging contractors.
While encapsulating your crawlspace will to keep your crawl space dry, the process won’t perform if there are massive air gaps, which allow outside air to get into the crawl space.
When you’re doing an encapsulation of your crawl space or a crawl space encapsulation, you must block the air outside sources so that the dehumidifier can continue to cool your air.
Do not Overlook Importance
A few homeowners think that encapsulations can stop water from entering their crawl spaces, and that they don’t require drainage systems. The problem with this is that encapsulation will not block water from entering the house or floods under homes.
Water damage is costly to repair. Restoring a foundation that has been damaged by water for instance, could cost as much as $12,000.
To prevent situations that water gets a foothold on your home, install a drainage system for water that redirects to drain the water. An French drainage system, or sump pump could be helpful.
Do not Use Fiberglass
If you’ve decided to NOT seal and dehumidify , or to constructed a crawl space that has been conditioned and you’re not using fiberglass, it’s not recommended to use it.
In fact, it might be wise to not use fiberglass at all. It is not a good material in the insulation of crawl spaces. If the insulation is placed in an unconditioned, unventilated space it will produce minimal results.
Why?
Since the material absorbs moisture and loses its R-value during the process. It is therefore useless as an Encapsulation material. The fiber also tends to sag because of the weight of water, which opens holes in the blanket of encapsulation.
In addition, fiberglass batch are often held together by the urea-based glue. When adhesive, fiberglass, and moisture are combined to form a secluded area, they provide a breeding ground for mold. A professional mold remediation service could cost you anywhere between $500 to $6,000.
