Crawlspace encapsulation
is a term not many people are familiar with. However, it serves a very important purpose and is a service that more people should take advantage of. What crawlspace encapsulation refers to is the process of separating the crawlspace from the actual living quarters of a home. The purpose of this is to create a moisture barrier between the crawlspace and the home which decreases moisture levels in the home, improves the air quality, and saves money on utilities.
Crawlspace encapsulation is especially important for those with old, drafty homes and those with pervasive mold problems. If you choose to have your crawl space encapsulated, here are six helpful things you can do to prepare for it from our cleaning experts at Stretch Cleaning in the Long Beach Island area.
Remove All Standing Water Before Your Begin
Standing water in a home is never a good thing. It can lead to mold problems, structural damage, and dangerously contaminated water. Working in a crawl space with large amounts of standing water is also a safety concern for these reasons. Before beginning a crawlspace encapsulation job, any standing water in the crawlspace should be removed beforehand.
Ensure There Is Adequate Lighting
Crawlspaces tend to be dark, so make sure you have enough visibility when working. This will help you make sure you haven’t missed anything that could later compromise the integrity of the moisture protection system.
Clear The Ground
Most crawl spaces have dirt floors. As a result, it’s not uncommon for sharp rocks, debris, and other items to be on the ground of a crawlspace. The encapsulation process will go more smoothly if such debris is removed beforehand.
Inspect Pipes For Rust Or Corrosion
Getting into your crawl space isn’t something you do every day so you should take advantage of the opportunity to inspect your pipes while you are there. Moreover, the last thing you would want to do is cover up a pipe that is on the verge of cracking or leaking. It’s much better for you to just take care of the problem right then and there.
Check Wood For Rot Or Mold
Check for wood rot, mold, or damage. Installing a vapor barrier over an already compromised surface will mask the problem, but it will become much worse in the future.
Identify All The Open Spaces That Need To Be Sealed
A crawlspace encapsulation job won’t be effective unless it seals up all the open spaces in the crawlspace. In compliance with your local codes, you will at least want to seal all sill plates, rim joists, vents, and any openings in the exterior wall and framing.
We hope you find these tips helpful for encapsulating your crawl space if you choose to do so. If you are unsure whether or not you should do so, call us at Stretch Cleaning in Long Beach Island, and we will help advise you if this is the right step for you.
