Basement Crawl Space Encapsulation Columbia SC

It is common to vent a crawl space in a home, but this leaves to problems. Air can seep in, reducing your energy efficiency and increasing your bills. It also leads to excess moisture, which can lead to mold, warping, rotting and pests. One way to fix these problems is basement crawl space encapsulation in Acworth, GA. Many people are unfamiliar with this home improvement project, even though it can increase the value of a home and easily returns the initial investment. Have a look at crawl space encapsulation columbia sc for more info on this.

What Is the Crawl Space?

To begin with, it is important to understand what the crawl space in your home is. Homes without an attic or basement typically have a crawl space instead. This might be under the flooring or the roof, depending on the placement. You might have both. The purpose of this area is to provide access to plumbing, wiring and your radiator or other HVAC system components. These areas are typically quite small, which is why they are called crawl spaces. You literally have to crawl to get through them. In addition to providing access, they also help with air circulation throughout the house.

Sealing In the Space

Basement crawl space encapsulation in Acworth, GA, provides a way to seal in the space. This waterproofs the area and provides some insulation. By doing so, you cover the ground with a vapor barrier, including any seams and junctions. The vents are also sealed. It might also insulate the foundation for further advantages in terms of energy efficiency.

You start with installing the vapor barrier, which will ensure that everything is sufficiently covered to not let any vapor in or out. This barrier will be completely sealed to ensure no moisture is allowed in or out. Then, there will also be a drainage system installed so that any moisture or standing water that does seep in through the ground will be removed before it can lead to problems. The vents will also be closed, reducing the amount of air allowed in from outside.

Enhancing the Air

Many projects for basement crawl space encapsulation in Acworth, GA, also include a system to condition the air. This might include an exhaust fan, a dehumidifier or some air from your HVAC system. This further helps to ventilate the area and remove any excess moisture.

Maintaining the Space

Once you have completed your project of basement crawl space encapsulation in Acworth, GA, it is essential you continue to maintain it so that you continue to reap the benefits, including better air quality and decreased energy bills. To do this, you should have an experienced technician come in and analyze the vapor barrier to ensure it remains completely intact. Any other components, such as the drainage system, ductwork or exhaust fan, also needs to be reviewed. Sometimes, this can be done in combination with your annual HVAC system inspection, depending on the expertise of the technician.

Before you start your project, it is important to ensure that your crawl space is ready to handle the encapsulation. You might need to perform from preparation work to ensure that it is ready to be sealed. Otherwise, you will end up with bulk water problems, backdrafting combustion appliances or otherwise create more problems than you fix.