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The Pennsylvania Guide to Crawl Space Encapsulation

Are you a Pennsylvania homeowner looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency? If so, crawl space encapsulation may be just what you need. Crawl space encapsulation helps prevent moisture buildup and mold from infiltrating the air that moves through your property. This can lead to improved indoor air quality, lower utility bills, and additional storage space under your house. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about crawl space encapsulation in Pennsylvania – from its benefits to how it works.

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation is a way to protect your home from moisture, pests, and other unwanted intruders. It involves sealing the vents and covering the crawl space’s floor and walls with a thick, vapor-retarding barrier that seals off your crawl space from the outside environment. A dehumidifier is typically added as well to ensure the humidity level remains low.

By encapsulating your crawl space, you’re essentially creating a dry, clean, and healthy environment for your home. It’s like putting your crawl space in a protective bubble.

Problems Associated With Crawl Space Moisture

Crawl space moisture might not seem like a big deal, but it can cause a lot of problems, including the following:

  • Mold growth – Excess moisture in your crawl space can lead to mold growth, which can not only be smelly and unsightly, but also a health hazard. Mold can cause allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and other health problems. Since some of the air in your crawl space enters your home’s living area, you want the crawl space to be clean, dry, and mold-free.
  • Pests like termites and rodents – Moisture in your crawl space can also attract pests like termites and rodents. These critters can cause damage to your home (and carry health risks of their own with them, as well).
  • Wood rot – If the wooden beams and supports in your crawl space become saturated with moisture, they can deteriorate and weaken, impacting your home’s structural integrity.

Sources of Moisture in Crawl Spaces

One of the main sources of moisture in crawl spaces is groundwater. If the ground beneath your home is wet, that moisture can seep through the soil and into your crawl space through the dirt floor. This is especially common in areas with high water tables or heavy rainfall.

Another source of moisture is condensation. When warm, humid air flows into the crawl space through open vents and comes into contact with cooler surfaces, it can create condensation.

Leaking pipes can also contribute to moisture in crawl spaces. Even small leaks can add up over time, creating a damp environment that allows mold and mildew to grow.

Finally, cracks in the foundation wall can enable moisture to enter the crawl space and create a breeding ground for mold, pests, and other unwanted visitors. This problem can be made worse if there’s poor drainage around the foundation.

Benefits of Encapsulating a Crawl Space

  1. Improved air quality – By controlling moisture levels and preventing mold growth, encapsulation can help improve your home’s air quality. This is especially important if you or any members of your household suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions.
  2. Lower energy bills – Adding insulation to your crawl space encapsulation can help increase your home’s energy efficiency by helping maintain a consistent temperature. This means that your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to heat or cool your home, which can lead to significant savings on your monthly energy bills.
  3. Increased home value – If you’re considering selling your home in the future, encapsulating your crawl space can be a major selling point. Buyers are often impressed by homes that have already taken steps to mitigate potential moisture and mold issues, and they may be willing to pay more for a home with an encapsulated crawl space.
  4. Reduced risk of structural damage – Moisture and mold can wreak havoc on a home’s foundation and structural supports. By encapsulating your crawl space, you can prevent these issues from arising in the first place, saving you thousands in repair costs.

The One Drawback of Encapsulating a Crawl Space

Crawl space encapsulation can be expensive. The cost can vary depending on factors like the size of your crawl space, its condition, the specific materials used, and whether or not additional work is necessary to improve drainage around the foundation. The best way to get an accurate price is to get an inspection. If the cost is a concern, don’t worry. Some companies offer financing options, just as we do here at Baker’s Waterproofing.

The Crawl Space Encapsulation Process

Step 1 – Clean the crawl space

First, any standing water or debris in the crawl space must be removed. If there’s poor drainage around the foundation, this must be corrected before encapsulation. We’ll talk more about improving drainage in the next section.

Step 2 – Inspect for Damage

The crawl space walls, floor, and ceiling should be inspected for any damage. Any cracks or holes should be filled with a sealant to prevent the intrusion of moisture or pests.

Step 3 – Encapsulation

This involves sealing the crawl space vents and installing a heavy-duty vapor barrier over the floor and walls. The barrier is made of a durable polyethylene material to prevent moisture from seeping into the crawl space.

Step 4 – Add a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier may also be installed to further reduce moisture levels in the crawl space, preventing mold growth and improving indoor air quality.

Put in a Drain Tile System To Take It up a Notch

A drain tile system is a series of buried, perforated drainage pipes installed around the foundation’s perimeter at the footing level or around the inside perimeter of your crawl space. These drainage pipes collect excess groundwater and direct it to a sump pit, where it’s then expelled away from your home via a sump pump.

A drain tile system can be a game-changer for your crawl space because it prevents excess moisture from building up in the ground around your foundation. In other words, it ensures the soil surrounding your crawl space remains dry.

Common Signs of Crawl Space Moisture

  • Musty odors – If your crawl space has a damp or musty smell, it could be a sign of excess moisture.
  • Standing water – This is a clear sign of water infiltration, which could be caused by leaky plumbing, a high groundwater table, or something else.
  • Increased humidity – Your crawl space should have no more than 60% relative humidity. If the humidity levels are consistently higher than this, it may be a sign of moisture problems. An increase in your home’s humidity level could also indicate a high humidity level in the crawl space.
  • Visible mold – Mold thrives in damp environments. If you see signs of mold growth, it’s a good indication of too much moisture in your crawl space.
  • Pest infestations – Pests like termites and rodents thrive in damp environments. If you notice increased pest activity in your crawl space or your home, it could be due to excess crawl space moisture.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to address the problem as soon as possible. Moisture in your crawl space can cause serious issues for your home and your health if left unchecked. So, stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any signs of excess moisture.

Additional Measures You Can Take To Help Keep Your Crawl Space Dry and Avoid Issues

In addition to encapsulation and a drain tile system, there are a few other things you can do to help prevent foundation problems from happening in the first place. These include:

  • Regrading your yard – One of the easiest and most effective things you can do is regrade your yard. This means ensuring the ground slopes away from your house so that water doesn’t drain toward the foundation and cause damage.
  • Using downspout extensions – You can also install downspout extensions, which will help direct rainwater away from the house instead of letting it seep into the soil around the foundation.
  • Cleaning gutters regularly – Additionally, keeping your gutters clean is crucial for protecting your foundation. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and drain directly onto the foundation, which can weaken the soil and cause cracks. Regularly cleaning your gutters can prevent this from happening.

If you think your Pennsylvania home could benefit from crawl space encapsulation, contact Baker’s Waterproofing today to schedule a free inspection and receive an estimate.

Leah Leitow

Leah Leitow

Content Writer

Leah is a Content Writer for Groundworks with nearly ten years of experience working in the foundation repair industry. Her experience ranges from working with homeowners to find the right solution to training inspectors and staff. In her background as a Michigan journalist, she gained invaluable insight into people's lives throughout our state. Leah lives in metro Detroit with her husband and two sons.

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