Crawlspace Encapsulation Process

Below is our process when we help a home owner reduce the risk of mold and vapors from open earth crawl spaces. 
 It is important to have this done by a professional, to properly lock out vapors and moisture.  
Once sealed properly can often add additional storage space to your home.

Pre-Installation Inspection

Before we start a crawlspace encapsulation, we do a ground up inspection of the existing conditions. We will evaluate the crawlspace for higher than normal humidity levels and determine if a drain tile system is needed. It makes no sense to cover up a water issue without addressing the cause. Additionally, we will look for mechanicals that may be adding humidity to the crawlspace--is there an air conditioning unit with faulty drainage, a leaking plumbing pipe or a bathroom with a leaking shower/bath? We will also look for evidence of rodents that may have burrowed under the foundation and into the crawlspace. 

Looking up the walls, we will determine if there are active foundation cracks that may be letting water in by hydrostatic pressure. Are there open vents around the crawlspace letting unconditioned air in from the outside? Looking further up, we will determine if the floor joists are sagging or rotten from the exposure to years of high humidity levels. Is there damaged insulation that needs to be removed? Is there mold growth on the underside of the floor sheathing? All of these issues need to be addressed and remedied before any work begins.
Different types of crawlspaces raise different issues. 
Below are some types of homes that are not good candidates for crawlspace encapsulation. 
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us for any info or a free quote!