How Crawl Space Encapsulation Helps with Energy Efficiency
A crawl space is an area under a home floor or roof, which is typically one to three feet high. These are access points to cooling, electrical, heating, or plumbing systems and places to store floor insulation.
Crawl spaces with dirt floors are unencapsulated, and the exposed dirt within one lets out water vapor into the air. When damp soil dries, humid water vapor travels upward and throughout the home. This causes the humidity level to rise, potentially adding strain to energy sources that produce clean, comfortable indoor air.
Fortunately, crawl space encapsulation protects homes while helping owners manage energy expenses. Here, Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, a trusted crawl space repair and drainage services provider, highlights what creates problems in crawl spaces, what crawl space encapsulation is, and how the procedure can make homes more energy efficient.
What Causes Crawl Space Problems?
Homeowners need to address crawl space issues quickly. If a problem in one is left unattended for too long, moisture, mold, or poor air quality may develop. This could potentially compromise indoor air quality or an entire structure’s foundation. Energy systems respond to these issues by working harder, resulting in higher uses and expenses.
Common sources of crawl space problems include:
- Groundwater influx: Excessive rain, flooding, or snowmelt can saturate the soil around a home’s foundation, through which water can easily leak.
- Foundation cracks: Water or other substances can penetrate even the smallest openings within foundations.
- Poor grading: Moisture levels can rise when water isn’t flowing far enough away from the home.
- Piping issues: Water coming from a leaky pipe can impact a crawl space, as many residences have pipes stored within them.
- Poorly maintained downspouts and gutters: A short downspout or a clogged gutter can lead to pooling around a home’s foundation.
- Wildlife infestation: If an animal enters a crawl space, its movement and activity can damage the area, creating openings for moisture.
If you see or smell mold around a crawl space, notice cold or sagging floors, or have a spike in an energy bill, it could be a sign of a crawl space issue. But don’t attempt to fix these issues yourself – always rely on the professionals at Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions. Homeowners should contact our foundation repair and basement waterproofing experts to discuss the issues they’re experiencing, as well as to schedule a time for us to inspect the crawl space.
What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Through crawl space encapsulation, our crew seals cracks from the outside, using overlapping sheets of a thick, plastic vapor barrier. This blocks moisture from escaping the space and prevents mold growth, pest infestation, and bad air quality.
The time it takes to perform crawl space encapsulation depends on the area’s size, condition, obstacles, and any water drainage issues that could interfere with the process. The actions we’ll take include:
- Recommending the homeowner have a sump pump installed, aiming to collect water before it gets inside a home
- Removing debris from the crawl space
- Flattening any raised area on the dirt floor
- Applying overlapping sheets of a vapor barrier to cover seams and cracks over the floor and walls
- Putting fasteners on the barrier to keep it in place
- Inserting sealant or spray foam in any spaces near pipes, walls, or other openings within the crawl space
- Closing off the crawl space to block outside air
- Running insulation into the crawl space to manage humidity and temperature
- Putting in a dehumidifier to keep the humidity level low within the space
Easing the Burden on Home Energy Systems
Through crawl space encapsulation, homeowners can gain a better handle on energy costs. Studies indicate that encapsulated crawl spaces lower energy expenses by as much as 20 percent. These savings come from relief home systems receive by not straining to maintain home air quality and humidity.
The following are some of the main ways that crawl space encapsulation helps keep home energy costs down:
- Blocking out drafty air: Outside air, which can impact the indoor temperature, can’t get through crawl space cracks.
- Bolstering insulation effectiveness: Crawl space encapsulation helps limit moisture within an area, allowing insulation to function at its best.
- Controlling humidity: Closing a crawl space reduces the chances of moisture gathering and mold developing.
- Improving comfort within a home: A sealed crawl space helps keep floors warm and stabilizes the indoor temperature.
- Reducing air leaks: The barrier blocking outside air from a crawl space reduces the burden on a home HVAC system, so it uses less energy to conduct its function.
Work With Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions for Your Home Care Needs
Through crawl space encapsulation, you can improve air quality in your home, keep mold and pests out, protect the structure, and keep energy costs down. Reach out to the team at Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions in East Norriton, Pennsylvania, to perform crawl space encapsulation at your home. We have a reputation for delivering quality results for our customers in the Tri-State Area and offer free estimates, lifetime warranty, and zero-interest financing. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.
