Crawl Space Encapsulation
Dry Otter offers many services to solve water issues in your crawl space. If you see standing water, mold, mildew, musty smells, wood damage, or damaged piers, call a professional. Crawl space encapsulation will alleviate these problems.
What is crawl space encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing the crawl space foundation of a house to control water, moisture, and humidity from entering the home’s footprint.
Another term for these systems is a “closed crawl space.” Encapsulation is done by lining the bottom and sides of the crawlspace with durable plastic or liner and sealing the vents.
When groundwater is a problem, an interior perimeter drain system is installed before the encapsulation. Many service providers install hybrid, budget, or starter systems, which do not include wrapping the walls or columns.
Although these are considered “closed crawl spaces,” they are inferior solutions that don’t address the complete problem, causing other issues in the future.
Proper encapsulation, with a complete interior drainage system under the plastic, a sump pump, and a dehumidifier, provides a homeowner with a total water and moisture solution for a crawlspace.
Crawl space encapsulation is the best solution to create an environment under 65% relative humidity, which means mold can’t grow and wood can’t rot.
What are the steps to encapsulate a crawl space?
- Any debris is cleaned out of the crawl space. (miscellaneous wood, brick, rock, and organic debris).
- A drainage system is installed to move ground water to a sump system or gravity exit.
- The crawl space vents are closed and sealed.
- Cracks or gaps in the foundation walls are sealed.
- A durable plastic liner is installed on the crawlspace’s floor, walls, and columns. Plastic sheets are overlapped and taped to cover all seams.
- A commercial-grade dehumidifier such as the Aprilaire E100 is installed.
What are the benefits of crawl space encapsulation?
Proper crawl space encapsulation, including drainage, guarantees that water and moisture will be removed.
This will prevent problems caused by water (soil erosion) and moisture (mold, wood decay, and pests).
Encapsulations improve the home’s energy efficiency by 15%, reduce potential problems in a real estate sale, increase home value, and improve the home’s air quality!
How thick is an encapsulation liner?
Dry Otter’s encapsulation plastic liner is durable, 20 mils thick on the floor and 12 mils thick on the walls and columns.
Plastic sheeting is measured in mils. A mil is a unit of measurement that equals one-thousandth of an inch, or 0.001 inch. One mil also equals 0.0254 mm (millimeter). A mil is not the same thickness as a millimeter.
Is encapsulation durable enough to walk on?
Our liner is very durable and designed to handle the demands of the crawl space environment. Additional durability can be added by installing drainage matting in high-traffic areas and where the crawl space is rocky.
Drainage matting is a dimpled material that goes under the encapsulation plastic, adding cushion and allowing water to drain more easily.
Should you open and close vents based on the season?
Will a new crawl space door help keep moisture out?
Yes, a new crawl space door will keep rainwater out, and prevent humid air from entering the crawl space. This works best when paired with a complete encapsulation system.
What is the warranty on Dry Otter encapsulation?
Why is Dry Otter encapsulation superior?
The Dry Otter team has many years of experience in water and moisture solutions in North Carolina crawl spaces and can consult, design, and install the complete preventive solution for your crawl space.
How much does crawl space encapsulation cost?
Costs vary by service provider. Price varies based on the thickness of the plastic liner, drainage, sump systems, crawl space accessibility, dehumidification, and company experience and warranty provided.
As mentioned earlier, many providers only install budget, hybrid, or starter systems, which should not be compared to a complete encapsulation system.
Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate for your crawl space encapsulation!
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Our process includes the following inspections:
Crawl Space Inspection:
- Moisture and Water Damage
- Mold and Fungus
- Insulation Condition
- Vapor Barrier
- Structural Issues
- High Humidity
- Condensation on Ducts
Basement Inspection:
- Water Intrusion
- Cracks and Wall Leaks
- Foundation Integrity
- Sump Pump Operation
- Mold and Mildew
- Basement Floor Cracks
- Hydrostatic Pressure
Our expert will personally visit your home and examine the issues you are having with your basement or crawl space foundation.
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