Is Crawl Space Encapsulation Right For Me?
This differs on a case by case basis. If you are already having problems due to high moisture, you would probably benefit greatly by having your crawl space encapsulated. If there is no problem yet but you want to save energy, protect your home, and be proactive, we encourage looking into encapsulation.
Homes in Hampton Roads and surrounding areas are plagued by high moisture from the earth vaporizing into the air under the home as well as extremely moist conditions in the summer months. In the summer months, the hot humid air from the outdoors enters the crawl space through the foundation vents and mixes with the cooler moist air remaining from the previous evening and since warm air holds more moisture than cool air, the relative humidity skyrockets. Condensation forming on HVAC, fiber-glass insulation batts, and pipes are very common. This damp and moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for mold, fungus, and wood rot.
Mold and fungus require organic material to survive and your crawl space is filled with organic lumber which they feed on. Also, at elevated wood moisture contents, the cellular structure of the lumber can literally break down which weakens the wood. It’s a well-known rule of thumb that if you want to make wood softer, add moisture. If you want to make it harder, dry it up (to a degree). It’s this moist and weakened wood combined with a heavy load over a period of time that causes most un-level floors, drywall cracks, and sticking doors.
If you suspect any of these problems, a professional crawl space contractor could save you from major problems in the future!
Improperly designed crawl space framing and over-spanned floors joists and beams can become a big problem!
It’s a fact! High moisture causes most major problems in crawl spaces…
…Moisture causes mold and wood destroying fungi growth…
……Mold and fungus aren’t far from wood rot…
………Now come the odors and unhealthy living spaces…
…………Next comes the very expensive crawl space structural repairs…
……………Left untreated, a small problem can develop into a big problem in a relatively short time!
If you think you might currently be experiencing any of these problems, it would be wise to get a professional opinion. A properly designed crawl space encapsulation that is professionally installed can virtually eliminate 99% of problems found in crawlspaces.
Serving Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Yorktown, Poquoson, Smithfield, and Williamsburg in Virginia as well as Camden County, South Mills, Elizabeth City, Moyock, Currituck, and Knotts Island in North Carolina.
