The Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl spaces underneath the home are often exposed to bare earth, which can let in groundwater as well as water vapor evaporating from the soil. Many homeowners don’t pay too much attention to the crawl space because it’s not a room they spend time in, but crawl space health is essential to keeping your home in good shape. Crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing off the crawl space with a vapor barrier, sealing any open crawl space vents, and installing a sump pump and dehumidifier to prevent standing water and moisture accumulation. Crawl space encapsulations don’t just make your crawl space more visually appealing, they offer several functional benefits that save you money and create a safer, healthier environment for your entire home. Some of the benefits of crawl space encapsulation include:
Prevents Flooding and Standing Water Issues
When groundwater or rain runoff accumulates inside your crawl space, it can create puddles of standing water, or even worse, flooding inside the crawl space. Crawl space encapsulations can prevent water from accumulating inside the crawl space, as the sump pumps will automatically detect when the level of groundwater gets too high, and will begin pumping it away from the home. Having a system in place to prevent crawl space flooding inside your home in the Richmond area is crucial, especially when we get slammed with intense summer storms.
Reduces Moisture and Humidity
Excess moisture is the number one crawl space problem in Richmond, due to the high levels of humidity that we get every summer. If left untreated, damp crawl spaces can lead to mold growth, termite infestations, wood rot, and a lower level of indoor air quality inside the home. When your crawl space is encapsulated, your vapor barrier prevents water vapors from entering the crawl space, working in tandem with your dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air.
Stops Mold and Mildew Growth
Mold and mildew need moisture in order to grow, which means they can thrive in dark, damp areas like crawl spaces. Not only can mold and mildew create unsightly stains, but they can also negatively impact the air quality in your home. Mold and mildew can also slowly rot wood over time, which can spell disaster when mold is growing on support beams in your crawl space. Crawl space encapsulation is a long-term mold and mildew prevention strategy that removes the moisture from the air that allows for mold to thrive.
Deters Termites and Other Pests
Termites need moisture to survive, so a damp crawl space provides the perfect environment for them. With no vapor barrier, termites can easily begin building mud tubes from the soil up to the wood in your home. In addition to termites, a damp crawl space exposed to the bare earth can let in roaches, carpenter ants, silverfish, and more. If your crawl space vents are unsealed, your crawl space can become a home for opossums, skunks, raccoons, rats, mice, and even snakes. A good crawl space encapsulation job eliminates the conditions that allow pests to thrive, while also providing a physical barrier to keep pests and wildlife out.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
The Stack Effect is a scientific phenomenon that moves air upwards through the home. Therefore, when your crawl space is full of mold spores and humid air, they will circulate up through to the upper levels of the home, worsening the quality of the air you breathe. A crawl space encapsulation will keep your crawl space dry and clean, preventing the spread of mold spores and allergens throughout the home.
Protects Your Home’s Structural Integrity
Standing water in the crawl space can weaken joists, subflooring, and foundation walls, putting the entire structure of your home at risk. Additionally, mold can slowly eat away at building material over time, as can termites. Crawl space encapsulation is a proactive defense that will prevent the accumulation of standing water as well as the moist and humid conditions that allow for pests and mold. Getting your crawl space encapsulated as soon as possible can help prevent extensive damage.
Boosts Property Value
When your crawl space is encapsulated, it can boost your property value on the real estate market, specifically because of all the benefits listed above. Home buyers are increasingly asking about the condition of the crawl space, and an encapsulated crawl space is seen as a great feature. Additionally, crawl space encapsulations can help protect against termites and other wood-destroying insects, which are known for wrecking property values.
Best Crawl Space Encapsulation in Richmond
If you need a crawl space encapsulation in Richmond, Henrico, or Hanover, contact the experts at Critter Authority. Crawl space encapsulations can control moisture, prevent pests and structural damage, and improve your indoor air quality, energy bills, and property value. Our team offers FREE estimates, so call us today to get started at (804) 492-2804!