Crawl Space Encapsulation: Why Its Important

Dirt crawl spaces may be common, but they are a design flaw that can be detrimental to the health of your home. Vents were once thought to allow the crawl space to breathe, but now we know they are just an easy way for water, outside air, and pests to slide right in to your crawl space. This is not good news! But what can we do about it?

Enter a crawl space encapsulation. 

A crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing the area beneath your home with a thick vapor barrier, in order to turn a wet, nasty space in to a dry, healthy, and usable space. A full encapsulation usually also includes insulation, a sump pump, and a dehumidifier. All of these products work in harmony to keep the crawl space in tip top shape. 

A crawl space isn't just a way to make your crawl space look better, there are many lasting benefits to having this done. 

Control Moisture

An encapsulation helps to get out any moisture that may seep in and hang out in the crawl space, but its also to protect from future water intrusion. One heavy rain or winter snow melt could be detrimental to the health of your crawl space. Being prepared ahead of time is much easier than dealing with the headache of a flooded crawl space. 

Prevent Mold

A damp crawl space creates the perfect environment for mold to thrive. By keeping moisture  out and the humidity low, dust mites and mold spores no longer set up house. This is very important because mold in the crawl space can cause serious problems. For one, mold leads to rot. Rot causes structural problems, and structural problems almost always come with a hefty price tag. Additionally, mold spores in the air won't stay in the crawl space. They will travel up into your home, into the very air you breathe every day. Yikes! A healthy home definitely starts in your crawl space. 

Energy Efficient

A crawl space encapsulation can make a big difference on your energy bill, as much as 15-20% less! That's huge! This is because an encapsulation isolates the dirt crawl space from the earth, creating a thermal break. The added insulation on the walls and having the vents sealed help prevent outside air from impacting your home. No more cold floors in the winter or hot humid air making its way through the crawl space in the summer. 

Keep Pests OUT

When a dirt crawl space is encapsulated it prevents pests like rats, snakes, and other nasty critters from making your crawl space into their home. You will no longer have to live in fear of coming face to face with creepy crawlies every time you need to crawl under your home. 

These are just a few of the many benefits that come with encapsulating your crawl space. If you are in need of a crawl space encapsulation, give Chicago Basement Systems a call! Not only are we your local Chicago and NWI experts, but we also provide a free inspection and estimate!