Damp Solutions: Crawlspace Waterproofing & Encapsulation 

If you’re like me, you don’t want to think about your crawlspace. It’s dark, it’s cramped, and frankly, I just don’t wanna go in there. But your crawl space plays a vital role in the well-being of your home. How you manage your crawl space can have lasting effects. But what if I told you, that you could turn that crawl space into valuable clean storage that practically manages itself? 

In this article, we will talk about your crawl space and how you can use it for more than just cable and pipe traffic. By the end, you will learn about the purpose of a crawl space, how its management can affect you and your home, and what steps can be taken if your crawl space becomes an issue. We will also discuss the way you can turn it into valuable clean storage space.  

What is the purpose of a crawlspace? 

 Its intended purpose was to place a buffer between the inhabitants of the home and the damp wet soils below. The idea was to keep humidity in check. Over time it became a perfect space for the placement of drain pipes, cables, and other utility works to help operate your home. But during that time, crawl spaces began to show signs of collected humidity that eventually found its way into the home anyway. Airborne hazards like mold and mildew collected and seeped upward through the floor. This leads to illnesses like pneumonia, asthma, and other diseases carried by pest infestations. The environment can become so hazardous that utility company workers would need to use high levels of personal protective equipment, just to check a cable. Crawl spaces become hazardous when water finds its way either through poor drainage or broken pipes. It’s important to keep your crawl space dry. This ensures that pest infestation will be minimized, wood floors and beams remain free from rot, and you can live in healthy conditions free from conditions as mentioned earlier.  

When was the last time you had a look into your crawlspace?  

Chances are you’ve never taken the time to check its condition. This is important to know so you can get an idea of what the costs might be to restore your crawl space. Check around your home and see if there are any openings caused by animals. Ensure there is proper drainage away from your foundation. Raingutters and a 5% grade are surefire ways to keep your crawl space dry and well-kept.  

Is there a realistic solution? 

Now here is the good part. Even if your crawl space is damp, dirty, and unkept, you can fix these issues with encapsulation. There is a product called Cleanspace. Cleanspace is an encapsulation tool used to convert your crawlspace into usable, valuable storage space. Its primary purpose is to protect your home from the harmful humidity and mold that collects underneath. Storage space is the bonus. So what is Cleanspace exactly? 

Cleanspace is a collection of layers that act as the barrier between your home and the soil. The original intended purpose of the crawlspace. Cleanspace is made up of a super-durable, 20mil plastic sheet material as well as vent covers and drainage matting. CleanSpace® is installed over the foundation walls and floor to create a continuous air and moisture barrier.  

Installation Process 

Upon arrival at your home, our crew will check the crawl space for any hazards that might be present. It’s important that you have the workspace ready for our crews prior to arrival. If you have an infestation, have an exterminator clear out the pests so they won't hold up the work. Clear out any objects that might be in the way and if possible make sure any insulation and cables are secured. When the crawlspace is determined to be ready, our crew will begin moving materials into the area. Each piece will be cut to precise measurements in order to custom-fit your crawlspace.  

Typical Time Frame to Install 

Crawlspaces come in all sizes. Depending on the size and level of materials, you’re looking at 1-4 days respectively. Sometimes roadblocks occur, but the crew leader will keep you updated on all the progress. If for any reason the work needs to be halted because of extenuating circumstances, every effort will be made to ensure the work gets done in a timely manner.  

What Does Crawlspace Encapsulation Cost? 

With any project like this, it’s important to think about long-term investment. An investment in a service like this is an investment in your health as well as your home. Projects range from $3,000 and up. This again depends largely on the square footage of your crawlspace. Over time the savings on energy costs really add up making up for the initial expense. So if a product will improve the overall health of your home, your quality of life, and energy costs, why wait? 

Who Can Benefit From Crawlspace Encapsulation? 

A service like this is specified for those with crawl spaces. Slab foundations without a crawl space would obviously not be a candidate. Even homes with a basement might not be the best for Cleanspace. Mobile homes might benefit, but this would be a rare circumstance.  

It’s Not Too Late to Encapsulate 

So if your home was built with a crawlspace, the first thing you should do is take a look inside. What is the condition? Is there the potent scent of mold and mildew? Or maybe you saw in the corner of your eye something ran into the shadows. Whatever the case, you have options to choose from. You can turn that dark scary space into clean healthy storage space. No more pests, no more mold.