Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl Space Repair & Encapsulation Services

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1. Adding more foundation vents to the crawlspace –

Old building codes and bad advice have resulted in homeowners adding more vents to their crawlspace in order to dry the high moisture content in their crawlspaces. The thinking behind ventilation was that air circulation would force the moisture in the crawl space air to end up outside.

It has been proven that warm, humid outdoor air brought into the crawl space through foundation vents in the summer can lead to increased moisture levels in the crawlspace. Also, the air movement in a home does not move side to side through the vents, but instead upwards (Stack Effect).

This Stack Effect draws air inward from every crawl space vent and up into the living space of the home. A properly encapsulated crawlspace is the only solution to reduce high moisture levels in a crawlspace.

2. Spray Foam a wet or damp crawlspace foundation wall –

In a dry below-grade crawlspace this method is the most energy efficient.  The problem is that in most below-grade crawlspaces, the foundation or ground floor of the crawlspace are NOT dry.

In fact, a majority of the crawlspaces I run across with spray foam have some form of dry rot in the structural components because the foam has trapped the moisture in the wood.  Sill plate repair is needed if they original plates are untreated. It is not uncommon to see the spray foam become separated from the wall from the moisture intrusion.

Unless the crawlspace has external footing drains, a foundation waterproofing membrane, a foundation sealant, positive grade, and downspout extensions, I cannot ever recommend this method of insulation.

3. Staple a vapor barrier to the floor joists –

I have not seen a single crawlspace repair mistake more responsible for wood rot and mold than when plastic is attached to the floor joist system. The thinking behind this is to stop moisture intrusion of the crawlspace air from entering the wood components.

There are many problems with this; but the most important to know is that most crawlspaces are vented and the cooler surfaces such as duct work, pipes, and the floor will condensate in the summer. The plastic will trap the condensation up against the floor structure causing mold and wood rot to occur.  Floor joist repair is commonly needed after this application.

4. Insulating a damp crawlspace with fiberglass insulation –

This is another example of outdated advice resulting in mold growth. Paper faced insulation is “mold candy”. The fiberglass will absorb the moisture from the air, become heavy, and fall to the ground.  Worse yet, if the insulation is stapled, it will hold moisture up against the wood components of the crawlspace.

5. Improper drainage system installations –

Many crawlspaces have water standing on the ground floor after heavy rains. There are many reasons why water enters, and several solutions to prevent or remove the standing water. The worst solution is to ignore this recurring problem, or repair the problem with a stand-alone pit and pump.

A sump pump alone cannot pump all the water that pools around the perimeter or in the middle of the crawlspace. A perimeter drain is necessary to intercept the water and facilitate it to the pump.

6. Insulating Heat Ducts in a Crawlspace with Fiberglass –

Ducts in a vented crawlspace will condensate and the fiberglass will soak up all of this excess water causing mold to grow around the duct in the fiberglass.

Additional Problems:

Improper Gutter and Downspout Maintenance –

Gutters are designed to take roof water away from your home and foundation. Allowing clogged gutters to over pour water will result in more water entering the crawlspace. The biggest mistake of all is allowing the downspouts to drain the water right up against the foundation. The downspouts should be extended away from the home to prevent roof water from entering the crawlspace.

One method of sealing a crawlspace is by using the best Columbus Ohio crawl space encapsulation company—lining the floor as well as the foundation walls with overlapping sheets of heavy polyethylene plastic.

Additional strategies including insulating the foundation walls and using the existing HVAC system to heat and cool the crawlspace to the same temperature as the rest of the house will further increase the effectiveness of crawl space encapsulation.

Ultimately the result will be a dry crawl space along with the following benefits:

• Improved Structural Integrity: Of course wet soil can undermine your foundation which is why gutter systems are designed to channel water as far away from the home as possible. However, gutter systems are pointless if the crawl space is always wet. By keeping the soil supporting your foundation dry crawlspace encapsulation can prevent extensive and expensive structural problems further down the road.
• Increased Comfort Levels and Energy Savings: Encapsulating along with insulating and air conditioning your crawl space may produce dramatic energy savings. Even crawlspace encapsulation alone should create a noticeable difference. Is the floor over your crawlspace noticeably colder in the winter? You are paying for the project now but unfortunately you are making the checks out to your utility company. It’s also harder to cool your home in the summer because of the humidity level in the air entering the crawl space. Your HVAC system will be able to work more efficiently and provide more uniform temperatures throughout the house in any season.
• Fewer Incursions by Mold and Pests: When it comes to organisms colonizing and thriving in a wet crawlspace mold and mildew are two of the chief concerns; once established in the crawlspace they can spread throughout the house, encourage wood rot, and be difficult to eradicate. Termites which love damp wood, aren’t far behind in terms of the whole-house damage they can wreak. Plenty of other insects and rodents are attracted to dark moist places that are free of predators—a typical wet crawlspace. A polyethylene barrier will keep out not only moisture but also the mold and pests that tend to accompany it.

Your overall air quality will improve throughout your home! The natural air movement in a home moves from the bottom of the structure to the top. This is called The Stack Effect. When a crawlspace is properly encapsulated it will seal off the excess moisture the ground naturally discharges. Mold growth cannot occur without a source of water.

If the water source is corrected mold spores will go into a dormant state and will resume its growth if water is reintroduced. Even in a dormant state, mold spores are still an allergen to those who are affected.

Areas we service are Amanda, Baltimore, Bexley, Blacklick, Columbus, Canal Winchester, Carroll, Dublin, Gahanna, Grandview Heights, Grove City, Groveport, Hilliard, Lancaster, Lewis Center, Lithopolis, Millersport, New Albany, Obetz, Pickerington, Powell, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall, Worthington and all areas in-between.