What is Crawl Space Encapsulation and Is It Really Beneficial?

Have you ever noticed a musty odor lingering in your home, or perhaps you’ve encountered issues like mold growth, wood rot, or poor air quality? These problems can be frustrating and even pose risks to your health and home.

Fortunately, there’s a solution that can address these issues and create a safer living space. Enter crawl space encapsulation, a comprehensive system provided by Foundation Recovery Systems.

Crawl Space Encapsulation – What is It?

Crawl space encapsulation is a proactive approach to protect and seal your crawl space from moisture and external elements.

It involves a series of steps aimed at creating a clean, dry, and controlled environment beneath your home. The process typically includes the installation of a crawl space vapor barrier liner, crawl space drain, crawl space sump pump, dehumidifier, and crawl space support jacks. These components work together to prevent moisture infiltration, regulate humidity levels, and provide structural support.

It’s essential to identify signs that indicate an untreated crawl space.

Keep an eye out for:

• High humidity
• Visible mold growth
• Sagging or uneven floors
• Increased energy bills
• Standing water
• Musty odors

These indicators suggest that moisture and other issues are present and require attention. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to consider crawl space encapsulation to address the root cause of the problem.

Why Should I Encapsulate My Home?

Most crawl spaces have dirt floors or cement floors and some external vents. You can imagine how this space would look when floodwater gets in. Muddy water and debris from the outside can turn it into an unsightly space where you wouldn’t want to venture, let alone keep your belongings. Encapsulation will ensure this space remains dry and clean always.

Want to save money on your monthly energy bills during winter? Sealing and encapsulating the crawl space is the simplest way to do that. Your open or exposed crawl space will let in cold air, which will enter the floors in the living area, causing them to be cold. In turn, this causes your HVAC to work harder to regulate the temperature and create a comfortable indoor environment.

If you have a crawl space, you could be drawing up to 50% of air from the outside. What does this mean? Air from the outside will impact internal conditions. If it’s too cold or loaded with moisture, you can be sure the same will end up in your living space. Conditioning and encapsulating your crawl space ensures your home remains comfortable and livable 24/7.

Besides trapping allergens from the outside, dark, damp, and dirty crawl spaces are instant magnets for rodents and pets. Mice and rats can turn your crawl space into their home. When they start breeding, they will get into the living space above and contaminate your food and water. Dealing with mice infestation isn’t going to be cheap. So why wait until they show up when you can lock them out for good?

In many Missouri homes, crawl spaces are often left exposed to the elements. The result is excessive moisture and swinging temperatures. The variation in temperature and high humidity levels will force you to run your air conditioner for longer to create the perfect internal conditions. By encapsulating your crawl space, you ensure no heat gets lost and no cold gets inside. Your air conditioner will function normally. Insulating rim joists and using cell foam could result in a 20% energy savings.

Summertime humidity is pretty high and could cross the 60% mark on hotter days. Add the sweltering heat, and you will have the perfect conditions for mold to grow and multiply in your home. All the mold spores and contaminated air could make their way into your bedrooms and kitchen. Encapsulating your crawl space effectively prevents mold growth by removing conditions that make them get into your home in the first place.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Steps

When it comes to crawl space encapsulation, it’s crucial to rely on the expertise of professionals like Foundation Recovery Systems.

We take care of every step involved in the process, ensuring a thorough and effective encapsulation solution for your home.

Our experienced team will assess your crawl space, identify the underlying issues, and design a tailored encapsulation plan that suits your specific needs. W

But, perhaps you’re wondering what the whole process entails generally. Here’s a summary.

• The crawl space contractor comes onsite and inspects the crawl space.
• Prepare the crawl space by removing dirt, mold, and stagnant water, then fix the drainage.
• Seal openings and leaks in the crawl space, not forgetting cracks and gaps with tough and waterproof material, then close it up with waterproof tape.
• Insulate foundation walls and wooden joists using insulation material to protect them from external elements.
• Install a dehumidifier to condition the crawl space. A dehumidifier will control moisture levels and channel excess moisture outdoors.

Depending on the condition of the crawl space, some repairs may be carried out before encapsulation starts. Your inspector will tell you what kind of repairs are required after inspecting the crawl space.

Ready to Transform Your Crawl Space?

Say goodbye to mold, wood rot, musty odors, and poor air quality by entrusting your crawl space encapsulation needs to Foundation Recovery Systems.

We are your trusted experts in crawl space encapsulation.

With years of experience and a track record of delivering exceptional results, we have earned the trust of countless homeowners in Missouri and parts of Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, and Iowa.

Our team of professionals is dedicated to providing top-notch service and ensuring your satisfaction every step of the way.

When you choose Foundation Recovery Systems, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is in capable hands.

Contact us today schedule a free inspection and take the first step towards creating a healthier, safer, and more comfortable living environment for you and your family.