Welcome to the world of crawl space Encapsulation, a home improvement technique that has revolutionized how we protect our homes since the late 1980s and early 1990s. This comprehensive guide will delve into the benefits of crawl space encapsulation and why it’s a must-have for your home.
Crawl space encapsulation is a water vapor barrier that seals moisture, protecting your crawl space from mold, radon, and decay. It is sealed using a polyethylene barrier. Residential pools use polyethylene to seal water from the cement to prevent erosion.
Crawl space encapsulation keeps your home up to date so that you don’t have to worry about damage, breathing in harmful gases, mold, mildew infestations, or losing your investment. The costs of neglecting your crawl space outweigh the price you pay to protect it. Read more in-depth details on the benefits of encapsulating your crawl space.
Water damage occurs when a plumbing leak, weather drainage, or an AC leak drips into your crawl space, leaving the perfect conditions for mold and wood rot. Wood rot can take time or occur immediately, depending on the moisture content. Even cement can erode over time if water remains stagnant under your home. Crawl space encapsulation removes the worry of water coming into contact with your foundation or beams. If water drains into your crawl space, you need a drainage system to complement your encapsulation. Usually, the contractors who encapsulate your space include a way to drain your crawl space. Drainage is necessary, so make sure you have a plan before encapsulation.
Along with significant water damage, a sealed crawl space can contain unwanted moisture levels. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that indoor humidity fall between 30% and 50%. Your humidity should be at most 60%. Otherwise, your walls, furniture, floors, and woodwork are at risk of rotting and growing mildew throughout your home, which poses a significant health risk. You can purchase a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home.
Air quality decreases whenever moisture takes hold in a small space. Radon, spores, volatile organic compounds (created when paint and other household supplies vaporize), and mildew create an unhealthy breeding ground for airborne illnesses such as allergies, respiratory sickness, and, in severe cases, lung cancer. Crawl space encapsulation lessens the likelihood of unwanted moisture and gas in the air and reduces the need for harmful insulation, such as fiberglass, which is toxic if inhaled and damaging to the skin and eyes.
The most obvious reward for encapsulating your crawl space is reducing mold and mildew. Mildew permanently damages wood in areas without sunlight, and mold leads to airborne sicknesses along with mildew. Mold can grow in moist environments, leading to poor air quality and sickness. Encapsulation seals out all the moisture that allows mold to grow in the crawl space and prevents severe mold growth in environments like your bathroom. Your scrubbing efforts will significantly increase in value!
If you’re looking for an increase in home value, protecting your house from mold growth and mildew is step one, but you are also increasing the value of your basement and crawl space. With crawl space encapsulation, new homeowners don’t need to worry about installation, and you can play tinker with the price for which your home will sell because you removed the hassle of encapsulation installation from the next homeowners. If you want to increase your home’s value, contact Atlantic Foundation and crawl space Repair so we can set up a Free Homeowner’s consultation.
Sources-https://mybackyardlife.com/what-is-crawl-space-encapsulation/
Atlantic Foundation and Crawl Space Repair
PO Box 1450
Wendell, NC 27591
Service Area: Serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Surrounding Area and Eastern North Carolina with foundation and crawlspace repair services
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