Crawl Space Encapsulation in Nashville

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation is one of the most effective ways of preventing damages caused by indoor moisture. The process involves using a thick plastic crawl space vapor barrier to completely cover the interior of your crawl space. This barrier will be laid out over the floors and walls of your crawl space. Once the area has been sealed, a dehumidifier is typically installed in the encapsulated crawl space to further prevent excess moisture.

What are the Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Too much moisture in your crawl space can lead to a variety of problems, including poor indoor air quality in your main living area, more expensive energy bills due to high humidity, increased risk of mold, and structural damage, to name a few.

A complete Nashville crawl space encapsulation system can help prevent these damages, as well as offer the following benefits:

• Better air quality.
• Moisture control.
• Efficient energy use.
• Increased lifespan of HVAC system.
• Seal vents and doors to keep the area clean and dry.
• Protect wooden structures from rot and damage.

How to Know if You Need Crawl Space Encapsulation

Some of the most common problems that signal crawl space moisture issues are mold and mildew.

However, you might not consider that the following are signs that it’s time to think about crawl space encapsulation:

• Condensation on insulation or ductwork: Your home shouldn’t be so humid that you see condensation on your floor insulation or your AC ductwork. This is a definite sign your crawl space needs attention.
• High moisture content: High moisture content in your wood framing can lead to mold and wood rot. Crawl space encapsulation can help control the humidity in your crawl space.
• Cracks in your foundation walls:  Cracks in your foundation provide opportunities for moisture and humidity to invade your crawl space leaving it susceptible to moisture damage.
• Bad odors around your home: You’ve cleaned every inch of your home and a stink still lingers, it’s likely your neglected crawl space is full of bad, stale air seeping into the rest of your home. By encapsulating your crawl space, you don’t just fix the symptoms, like smells and rotten floor joists, you also solve the problem at its cause.

Crawl Space Insulation and Encapsulation

If you’re considering crawl space insulation, the best time to do so is during the encapsulation process. Using the correct kind of insulation material will go one step further to ensure your crawl space doesn’t accumulate excess moisture and permit mold growth.

Four Steps to Control Humidity

There are four steps to controlling the humidity that builds up in crawl spaces:

• First, drain any groundwater by installing a proper interior drainage system, if needed.
• Second, encapsulate the crawl space to isolate it from the soil underneath.
• Third, block moist air from getting into the crawl space by closing vents, joints, and gaps.
• Lastly, install a dehumidifier.

Book Your Crawl Space Encapsulation with United Structural Systems

Many companies offer crawl space encapsulation but don’t do it to our standard. When we encapsulate a crawl space, we typically use 125 millimeter plastic and seal any cracks, seams, and vents with spray foam and caulk to lock out all moisture from the surrounding atmosphere and soil.