In many cases, the floor of the crawl space under the house is little more than a layer of gravel over a thin plastic sheet. This design is a very poor vapor barrier; the crawl space is unusable or inconvenient for storage. Modern crawl space encapsulation technology allows the homeowner to turn a damp, useless space into a dry area that is perfect for storage of seasonal items such as lawn furniture and gardening equipment.
A concrete floor has, for many years, been the only alternative. This is not so, today. Crawl space encapsulation systems are a superior solution. They not only cover the floor like concrete, but they also cover the walls and ceiling with an extremely durable and strong coating of polyurea that is sprayed on a woven geo-textile material. This seamless liner dries immediately, an added advantage to those who wish to store items in the crawl space as soon as possible.
Why undertake crawl space encapsulation?
There are numerous benefits to encapsulating the crawl space under your home. The core problem in any crawl space is moisture and where there is moisture, there will be mold, mildew and unwanted insects and other pests. Even with the best crawl space ventilation, it is hard to keep the area dry. The problems of moisture can be quite problematic:
- Odor and allergies: If you can eliminate mold and mildew, you will effectively eliminate unwanted odors and mold spores moving on air currents throughout your home. Those that suffer from allergies or other forms of respiratory problems will notice an immediate improvement once the crawl space has been encapsulated.
- Increased energy efficiency: The cost of heating and cooling a home is every homeowner’s concern. Studies have shown that crawl space encapsulation results in a saving of about 15 percent on the cost of energy.
These are only two of the benefits of crawl space encapsulation; you will also benefit from eliminating harmful termites and wood rot because of high moisture levels.
There are many advantages to effective crawl space encapsulation. To discuss the process in detail, contact the experts at Nu-Crawl Seamless Crawlspace System.
