Understanding Why Crawlspaces Have Moisture:
- All crawlspaces are located below the outside ground level, and since the foundation walls are also below ground level, this allows moisture to enter through the foundation walls.
- The ground surface of the crawlspace is composed of soil, which retains moisture.
- Since crawlspaces are below ground level, they allow water to enter more easily, which then causes higher moisture levels.
- The crawlspace foundation vents allow hot/humid air from outside to enter through the vents that lead into the crawlspace easily.
For homeowners in Virginia, understanding these causes is key before investing in Crawl Space Encapsulation Richmond VA, which helps control moisture and protect your foundation from long-term damage.
What is a Crawlspace Encapsulation?
An actual crawlspace encapsulation consists of four main components: a reinforced vapor barrier to cover the entire ground surface, insulation for the perimeter foundation walls, a dehumidifier, and sealing the foundation vents, along with obtaining a building permit.
These four components make up a crawlspace encapsulation, allowing the crawlspace to be properly sealed, insulated, and maintain optimal moisture levels and air quality.
The reason a building permit is needed is that the crawlspace is now a changing environment, now that it is being sealed. Your local city/county inspectors need to inspect the space to ensure that all was installed correctly, ensuring a quality and proper encapsulation.
Choosing a trusted Richmond VA Crawl Space Encapsulation provider ensures the entire process meets code, is properly inspected, and delivers long-lasting protection for your home.
Why Should You Consider a Crawlspace Encapsulation?
- 40–50% of the air in your home comes from your crawlspace. Naturally, air rises upwards, and with poor air quality from your crawlspace, that allows for the same air quality to come into your home. If there is mold, high moisture levels, and wood rot in your crawlspace, that same air is coming into your home.
- Crawlspace encapsulation is a long-term investment for your home and foundation, and doing it right the first time will give you peace of mind that the crawlspace’s moisture levels are under control.
- A crawlspace encapsulation increases the value of your home when selling, as anyone would prefer to purchase a house with a clean and healthy crawlspace, rather than one with mold, water, and rotten wood.
- If the moisture begins to damage your foundation and the wooden floor structure of your home, that will be a very costly expense.
- Reduces energy loss and lowers heating/cooling bills.
- Makes the crawlspace easier to access and cleaner.
- Any crawlspace with a relative humidity of 65% or higher is at risk of mold growth. Since Virginia is naturally very humid, most crawlspaces fall into that category.
- Realistically, the crawlspace is likely the area of the home that is less often checked. It would be better to have a long-term crawlspace moisture control solution, so you don’t have to worry about checking your crawlspace constantly.
Investing in a professional Richmond Crawl Space Encapsulation service provides long-term value, improves indoor air quality, and helps maintain a cleaner, healthier living environment.
Common Questions about Crawlspaces:
1. Should you leave your foundation vents open or closed?
The answer is that none of the options is correct. If you leave the foundation vents open, it allows for moisture/humidity to enter the crawlspace easily. If you close the vents, that traps the natural moisture/humidity in the crawlspace. The real answer is sealing the vents, but then having an adequately sized dehumidifier installed to control the natural moisture in the crawlspace.
2. Do I really need a dehumidifier?
In almost every case, yes. The dehumidifier is one of the most important components of a crawlspace encapsulation because it actually controls the moisture/humidity levels. A crawlspace can be sealed as well as possible, but if it does not have a dehumidifier, then the moisture will remain trapped in the crawlspace without a unit to purify the air quality and keep air circulating.
3. What if I install a dehumidifier that I purchase from Home Depot or Lowes?
Crawlspaces specifically need a commercial dehumidifier that will be able to handle the square footage and moisture content in the crawlspace. Since the dehumidifier is one of the most important components, it is crucial to make sure the right dehumidifier is used for your crawl space. It is also essential to ensure that the crawlspace is properly sealed before installing a dehumidifier. This way, the dehumidifier doesn’t overwork due to excess moisture, and it also prevents the dehumidifier from absorbing unwanted dust and insulation particles in the air.
4. Can the crawlspace be overdried?
Yes, the correct dehumidifier is used for your specific crawlspace size, and it is placed at the correct setting to ensure that moisture levels remain at the optimal levels.
5. How can the crawlspace encapsulation be serviced or maintained after installation?
We provide an annual service to check the crawlspace and to clean/replace the dehumidifier filter to ensure all is working properly.
Other Crawlspace Encapsulation Ideas to Include
- Why Quality Matters. The term “encapsulation” has been used loosely, and as a result, many homeowners are unsure of what a genuine encapsulation actually entails. Many contractors will simply place a basic vapor barrier on the ground and call that encapsulation, but it is essential to understand the actual components that create an effective encapsulation. This way, you can compare the quality and extent of the encapsulation being provided for your crawlspace to ensure you are getting the most benefit out of converting your crawlspace into an encapsulated space.
- If you plan on selling the home, having a crawlspace encapsulation gives the buyers peace of mind, a clean and dry crawlspace, and our warranty will even transfer to the new homeowners.
- It is essential to remember that a crawlspace encapsulation is a moisture control solution, not a solution to address any standing water or water intrusion in the crawlspace. Addressing the water intrusion in the crawlspace needs to be addressed prior to considering an encapsulation. The solution to address water intrusion is an internal crawlspace French drain system with a sump pump. If the water issue is not addressed prior to the crawlspace encapsulation, water will likely find its way over the crawlspace, and you may risk having to redo the encapsulation.
Crawlspace Encapsulation Keep Your Home Dry, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient
Protect your home from moisture, mold, pests, and high energy bills. Our professional crawlspace encapsulation creates a clean and durable environment in your crawl space while improving your indoor air quality and extending the life of your home structure.
Our Process is Straightforward and Transparent
One of our specialized technicians will visit your home to provide a complimentary consultation of your crawl space. The technician will conduct a thorough evaluation of the crawlspace, take moisture readings, and inspect for existing mold and wood rot.
The technician will then review their findings in the crawlspace, along with recommendations to address any water and moisture issues, and provide a detailed explanation of encapsulation, as well as other solutions.
We understand that crawlspace encapsulation can be an extensive and costly solution for your home, and we at Tiger C Construction are dedicated to guiding you every step of the way, from start to finish, with your project.