08/12/2019
One of our most popular services is installing crawlspace encapsulation systems. It is one of the best things a homeowner can do to improve the overall heath of the house, including indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Common symptoms of crawlspace problems include musty odors, sagging, soft or uneven floors, cracks on interior walls, especially above doors, increased allergies or asthma issues, mold growth, cold floors in the winter, and high energy bills.
Many homeowners are surprised at the damage created over time when a crawlspace is not retrofitted with a proper water and moisture management system. (Note - Water and moisture are not the same thing and should be handled differently.) This is because crawlspaces do not work as we have always been told. The traditional thought is that if vents around the crawlspace allow air to flow through and cross ventilate. The problem is; this information is just WRONG. Most houses with crawlspaces also have ventilation systems that exhaust air out of the top or roof, like a ridge vent or gable vent. This air flow creates a “stack” or “chimney” effect which pulls air in the crawlspace vents and upward though the house until it is exhausted out the top. It does NOT cross-ventilate. In a humid climate like Alabama, this air flow pattern traps moisture in the crawlspace creating a myriad of issues and hazards for a house and its occupants.
Dealing with the problems:
Since the causes of damage are different, we must address them in different ways.
Water being a liquid can be managed with a drainage system. Although extremely powerful, water is very predictable. It will move from top to bottom finding the lowest point, taking the path of least resistance to get there. Knowing this, we use water’s characteristics to efficiently manage it with a properly installed drainage system which provides the path of least resistance for the water to follow. We then capture it and remove it from the home.
Moisture on the other hand is a gas and can not be seen, however its effects can be damaging to your home by rotting wood framing, growing mold, enhancing odors, and attracting insects among other things. In our climate where the humidity is usually high, especially in warmer months this can be especially detrimental. As the warm outside air enters the crawlspace vents, it usually cools down and the relative humidity drastically rises.
*Note - for every degree the air cools as it enters the crawlspace, the relative humidity rises by over 2%. So for instance on a nice day in Alabama, when the humidity is at 85% and temperature is 90 degrees (a typical summer day). And this air is drawn into the crawlspace, though the vents, and cools 10 degrees to 80, the relative humidity of that air spikes to 112%.
When the humidity rises to high levels in the crawlspace, it will also have an effect on other parts of the house where differing temperatures meet, including causing condensation of HVAC ducts, plumbing pipes and even foundation walls. Because of the air flow pattern, this moisture has no way to escape the structure and will cause many problems as mentioned.
The encapsulation process seals the crawlspace, creating a controllable environment in order to mechanically regulate the humidity of the air in the space. Managing the humidity allows house framing to dry, eliminates odors, stops mold growth, improves air quality, and does not attract insects, spiders, rodents, or snakes.
A wet or damp crawlspace can be very unhealthy for your house and the people in it. Call us for a free inspection to see if you have any issues that need to be addressed.
