Sealing your crawl space will help preserve your home and protect your family from harmful mold and mildew spores.
It will also make your house more energy efficient and save you money on heating and cooling expenses. Call our basement waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation company for a drier, healthier space.
Exposed earthen floors leave your home vulnerable to the effects of water, moisture condensation and exterior temperatures, all of which contribute to both structural and functional failures in a home. We can fix it. Our company is certified by the National Association of Home Builders, and we also hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
With more than 30 years in the foundation and basement waterproofing industries, we are highly experienced. Our work is performed with certifiable expertise. If you would like to have your below-grade space inspected and sealed, give us a call. We offer free on-site estimates and courteous service.
The most common issues we find when performing basement waterproofing are related to moisture. Water and mold damage are caused by water rising from the bare earthen floor.
- Musty odors rising into the living space
- Condensation on ductwork, insulation, truss plates and plumbing fixtures
- Buckling and warping of hardwood floors and deterioration of subflooring materials
- Creaking in the floors
- Insect infestations
- Rotting wood framing and support beams
An unsealed crawl space can be responsible for a number of health problems that you may experience in the main household. These include chronic illnesses such as asthma attacks and upper respiratory infections. Condensation gathering on truss plates can lead to rusting and structural instability. And excessive humidity in the summertime intermingled with the smells of mold and mildew can make living circumstances intolerable. Help is available. Call now.
Your Crawlspace Sealing Experts
Are you taking the wrong approach? Many homeowners are inclined to contact heating and air conditioning contractors, when indoor air quality is actually being affected by excessive moisture and the smell of mold growth coming from the crawl space.
If you have contacted an HVAC contractor on more than one occasion to address indoor air quality, and you know that your crawl space is unfinished, call our team for a free inspection. You may be spending too much on service calls that will never get to the heart of the problem.
5 Steps to Sealing a Crawl Space
Sealing, or “encapsulating,” the area below-grade can help create a healthier, cleaner and more comfortable living environment. Here are the steps:
- Drainage channels are installed at the perimeter. These channels will drain standing water from the inside of the crawl space and lead it to a sump pump. The pump will evacuate the water and carry it out onto the lawn. Once the niche has been thoroughly dried out, moisture encapsulation can begin.
- Heavy polyethylene liners are installed over top of the bare earthen floor. High-density 5-ply polyethylene prevents moisture from rising into the space from the earth below. It also creates an effective barrier against insects and other subterranean pests. It is important to note that we will not pour concrete into your crawl space during the encapsulation process because the concrete used for these recesses is typically mixed with greater amounts of water. Concrete releases water as it cures, creating higher humidity levels within the space and contributing to mold and mildew growth. This is counterproductive to the process.
- Insulating the walls is the next step of the encapsulation process. Our team uses R-4, aluminum-coated, reflective insulation. This not only helps improve the energy efficiency of the home by up to 20% but also reflects up to 96% of radiant heat generated by HVAC and furnace systems back into the space and consequently back into the living spaces above.
- Seal off outside air to further enhance the energy efficiency of the home. Sealing vents helps reduce drafts that make floors cold in the wintertime. They also prevent rodents and other vermin from taking up residence beneath your house.
- A dehumidifier is installed in the space to keep it tidy and dry. Once the area has been completely encapsulated and outfitted with a dehumidifier, you can incorporate the space into your heating and air conditioning system. This will contribute to the overall energy efficiency and functionality of your house.
Call us to seal a crawl space in Newburgh, Evansville, Boonville and all nearby areas. We will be glad to discuss your options and schedule a free estimate.