Are you wondering if you need a crawl space encapsulation?  You might be wondering because you would like to prevent mold and mildew from happening to your basement, or perhaps it already has.  Some people try to fix the problem with home remedy quick fix solutions that do not work.  A full encapsulation is a sure way to guarantee that your crawl space keeps dry and problem free.

Crawl spaces are spaces in the basement that are too low to stand up, but not properly finished so you can’t store anything in it.  Because there is no circulation in the small room typesetting, the warm air from the surrounding basement and the crawlspace do not know how to mix properly.  Builders are required to put vents into crawlspaces to ensure proper ventilation, but many home owners are discovering that vents are not keeping problems away.  The vents are just blowing air around to try and circulate, however because the air in the crawlspace is not moving at all, it doesn’t work.

The crawl space is very prone to retaining moisture and attracting mold.  That is why creating an opportunity to do a crawl space encapsulation makes sense! And it is not only mold that you have to worry about, it’s also; dust mites, carpenter ants, vermin and termites and in some cases even wild life.  These types of things are attracted to mold and mildew and decay…the very things that may be lurking in a crawl space.

To fully encapsulate the crawl space there are specific things that can be done.  The first thing is put in proper grading and drainage of dirt, this keeps rain water away from the crawl space area.

The next thing that you will want to do is to isolate the crawl space from attracting moisture.  You can do this by lining the whole crawl space with thick and strong vapor barrier that is also puncture resistant.  The layer should be multi-layered and at least a 20 mil poly sheet.  You can also try using mastic tape to seal the seams and caulk to seal openings in the walls.  Strips and caps will give your encapsulation a professional touch and will allow you to monitor for ants and termites.

The last thing you will want to do for your crawl space is to condition it.  That means that you have a conditioner to blow air from above into the space.  This allows for proper circulation and ventilation creating a healthy air flow through-out the home.  You can also try a dehumidifier in the crawl space to prevent moisture from being created.

When you have finished your crawl space encapsulation, you will find that you can actually store things down there.  Items that were once in your way can now be tucked away neatly in a safe and secure spot.  The new crawl space will allow for healthier air and help to cut energy costs by allowing warm air to filter back through-out the house instead of getting stuck in the crawl space.