Before Crawl Space Encapsulation - Utility Lines
Most homes with a crawl space are home to utility lines. In a vented crawl space, water pipes freeze in the winter and duct lines are exposed to heat in the summer warming up the conditioned air traveling through the ducts, the reverse occurs in the winter. Condensation occurs on pipes in duct lines
Sealed Crawl Space - After
Sealing the crawl space using the CleanSpace system, blocking the vents, insulating from the crawl space walls, and introducing a dehumidifier all help control the temperature and relative humidity of the crawl space. Controlling the amount of air and moisture that enter the space, helps protect utility lines and make the home more energy-efficient.
Falling Fiberglass Insulation - Before Crawl Space Encapsulation
Fiberglass insulation between floor joists acts as a sponge and collects the moisture building up in the crawl space. Over time, this causes the rods holding the insulation up to rust out and break, the insulation delaminates and begins to fall apart and with the help of gravity, insulation begins to drip from the floor joists and fall onto the floor of the crawl space.
CleanSpace Encapsulation System - After
The CleanSpace Encapsulation System seals the crawlspace from the earth. The seams are overlapped and sealed with heavy-duty tape. The liner is also wrapped around the piers and fastened to the crawl space walls.
Mold - Before Crawl Space Encapsulation
As the insulation acts as a sponge, it holds moisture against the wood joists raising the moisture content of the joists. Mold requires organic material, warm temperatures, and relative humidity above 60% to grow. Often we see mold growing on the paper backing of the insulation and on wood joists in the crawl space. As the moisture content in the joists increases, the probability for wood rot becomes more likely. Once the joists reach 19% moisture wood rot begins.
Treating for Mold with Shockwave Antimicrobial
An antimicrobial called Shockwave is sprayed onto the joists to kill the mold. Once the encapsulation is complete and the dehumidifier is installed it will be set to turn on before the humidity in the crawl space reaches 60% (The ideal point for mold to grow). The Encapsulation system will help prevent ideal conditions for mold to grow from occurring and make the home healthier and more comfortable.
