Crawl spaces provide a cost-effective means of not having to pour concrete to level a sloping lot. They also provide convenience, allowing for a place to install HVAC and plumbing. The practicality of having it can also come at a cost if you don’t keep an eye on it from time to time. Now admit it, you probably have no ambitions to go into your home’s crawl space. Just because you don’t venture into the parts unknown doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hire the professionals at Victory Pest Management to do so for you.
Crawl space encapsulation (not to be confused with insulation is the process of keeping moisture out of residential and commercial structures. We do this by adding a heavy-duty moisture barrier to the dirt floor, sealing the foundation vents, insulating walls, and installing a dehumidifier.
We recommend that homes with a crawl space should be insulated and encapsulated. However, before we encapsulate, the first thing we do is assess it to assure there aren’t termites, pests, or water damage. Remember, the purpose of encapsulations is to prevent water seepage. If that’s already an issue, we need first to fix the water damage and remove the moisture-loving critters.
Encapsulation is of importance for homeowners who may have issues with standing water and moisture.
There are clear benefits to having a crawl space encapsulated, for example:
- Protection From Mold: It should be no surprise that mold and mildew love moisture. Encapsulation can prevent excess moisture, thus preventing the buildup of mold. According to the CDC, mold exposure can cause health problems like itching, wheezing, nausea, and even chronic illness.
- Protection From Radon: Radon is an invisible, odorless gas created from the decay of uranium in the soil. It’s so dangerous that the EPA has listed the radon zones in the United States.
- Improved Air Quality: The fewer contaminants in the air you breathe, the better the air quality. This simple fact is why encapsulation can be a necessary service for both you and your family.
- Avoiding Structural Damage: Over time, moisture can rot your home’s wooden flooring and frames, weakening the foundation. With the national average for foundation repair being $8,000, this is a cost we’re sure you’ll want to avoid.
Once we’ve cleared the crawl space for water damage and mold, the first step is to clean the area of wet insulation and hard objects like rocks that can tear the liner. We completely seal off the crawl space with a material similar to a swimming pool liner to prevent leaks. This includes the floor, vents and openings, air gaps, drain lines, and cracks. Anything less, and you run the risk of the same problems coming back again. The next step is to keep it dry; we do this by installing a dehumidifier.
At Victory PM, it’s our goal to keep our current and future customers informed of our services and how they can potentially benefit from them. If you’re considering getting your crawl space encapsulated, it’s essential to leave this to professionals who get the job done right.
Contact us today to schedule a free estimate.
