Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl Space Encapsulation in Delaware

Crawl Space Encapsulation is the best option and most comprehensive solution when water, moisture, humidity, and microbial growth are found in the crawl space. A crawl space encapsulation is a process that seals your crawl space and creates a protected envelope under your house that is no longer influenced by outside elements such as water intrusion, humidity, and outside temperatures. As you know, the eastern shore and Delmarva area can be subject to long periods of high humidity and flooding rains. Studies have shown there are significant benefits from crawl space encapsulation. Once installed, this system will protect the structural components of your home from water intrusion while also eliminating the ability for mold to grow, which greatly improves the health of your home.

Indicators You May Need Your Crawl Space Encapsulated

• Water standing in your crawl space
• Musty smell in your home
• Presence of mold in the crawl space
• Insulation in crawl space falling down due to moisture
• Condensation on surfaces in your crawl space

Guardian’s Encapsulation System

To keep it simple, the Guardian Encapsulation System is a 7 step process that will dramatically change the health and appearance of your crawl space and the indoor air quality of your home.

STEP 1 – Clean and tidy up the crawl space floor from rocks, concrete, and debris. It’s essential we remove all organic debris that can retain moisture and create a good substrate for mold to grow. We will also try to secure any loose wiring that may be laying on the floor of the crawl space. If the customer wishes, we will also install lights throughout the crawl space at this time.

STEP 2 –  Remove any and all damaged insulation in the floor system. Depending on the situation, our team may remove all of the insulation from the floor system and condition the crawl space instead. This method will assist in drying out the crawl space and save on energy costs.

STEP 3 – If needed, our team will complete mold remediation and treatment at this time.

STEP 4 – Install a drain system along the outer perimeter of the crawl space. All drain pipes will terminate in a sump basin where a sump pump will automatically move any water entering the drain system outside. This drain system is a crucial element for maintaining the life of the encapsulation.

STEP 5 – Install a 12-20-mil commercial-grade liner across the crawl space floor and up the walls and piers. This liner will be pinned to the walls and sealed with all seams taped. This liner will prevent moisture and odors from entering the crawl space and home.

STEP 6 – Install a commercial-grade dehumidifier to keep humidity levels at or below 55%. At these levels, your HVAC system will not have to work as hard, and more importantly, mold can not grow in these conditions. By controlling the relative humidity (moisture levels) in the crawl space you remove one of the primary requirements for mold to grow.

STEP 7 – Seal all vents with foam board and apply closed-cell polyurethane foam along the band wood joist. By spraying the band wood joist it provides an air-tight seal which saves on energy costs and keeps unwanted humidity out of the crawl space. Due to its glue-type properties, the top of the liner is also sprayed with foam to create an air-tight seal so water vapor from the ground doesn’t seep into the crawl space. Unlike tape or caulking that is used by other companies, the foam we use is waterproof so any moisture on the foundation block will not cause the foam to fail or break down over time.

Due to the materials and process of the spray foam application and per the manufacturer of these materials it is recommended to vacate an occupied dwelling for up to 24 hours while the application is being done. It is also recommended to shut down your HVAC system during and 1-hour AFTER the application of the foam spray. Please note, that this spray foam is commonly used in construction and we are not aware of any issues caused by this product. However, we like to inform our clients about the full details of our installation.

Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation

• Improved air quality
• Eliminates water from collecting in your crawl space
• By controlling humidity you prevent mold and foul odors from being generated in your crawl space
• Prevent structural damage and wood rot
• Your home becomes more energy efficient
• Extend the life of heating and air equipment
• Drying out the wood and cleaning up the crawl space it prevents termites and other pests
• Improves the overall value of your home

Crawl Space Encapsulation Protects Your Home

Any project completed in your home should be carefully researched and tested over a long period of time. Fortunately, crawl space encapsulation has both.

Encapsulation technology has been deployed for the past 20 years and has now become one of the industry standards to protect your home. Many new home builders are encapsulating their homes because it’s essential to protect the structure. Your home is the largest investment over your lifetime and protecting it should be paramount.

Most homes on Delmarva have traditional, wall-vented crawl spaces, but this technology is old and simply does not work in our area due to our climate and humidity. Advanced Energy, is a nonprofit energy consulting firm on the east coast that has completed a lot of independent research and testing on crawl space encapsulation. In particular, they completed a side-by-side study of sealed vs. a traditional, wall-vented crawl space. Their research using real-world installations demonstrates that properly closed crawl spaces can provide much better moisture control than conventional, wall-vented crawl spaces in temperate humid climates. In addition, homes with closed crawl spaces can save significantly on energy when compared to homes with wall-vented crawl spaces.