Homes in the southeastern United States commonly suffer from poor moisture management tied directly to crawl spaces. In addition to increased pest activity, excess moisture in your crawl space can cause severe structural damage, such as foundation sinking. If you are a homeowner in a humid, subtropical climate like Virginia, you need to be aware of how water vapor and soil moisture can compromise your home if not dealt with properly. For one, air humidity should ideally stay below 70% to prevent dangerous mold growth.
In the past, vented crawl spaces were considered standard protocol. However, contractors now realize why such a design can be flawed and especially suboptimal in humid regions. Conventional wisdom leads us to believe that ventilation to the outside would help dry out the crawl space. After all, when we want to dry something out indoors, we often open a window. However, scientific research disproves such theories. In reality, the outdoor air contains more water vapor than indoor air, which ends up transferring to the crawl space.
The best solution for moisture control is typically crawl space encapsulation. A qualified professional can install a heavy-duty polyethylene water vapor barrier along the floors and walls. With full encapsulation, the ceiling is also covered. You are protecting the most vulnerable parts of your home with a plastic sheet. Ultimately, crawl space encapsulation is a cost-efficient home upgrade with tangible benefits.
Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
One of the most common benefits is that homeowners immediately notice reduced allergy symptoms. Not only does the air smell fresher, but people who are used to sneezing every day when they wake up may suddenly stop after they get their crawl space encapsulated. You might have trouble believing that such a small addition would cause such a drastic change, but what if we told you that up to 50% of indoor air passes through your crawl space? With that in mind, it’s much easier to understand how controlling pollutants in your crawlspace leads to vastly improved air quality.
Crawl space encapsulation is also a fantastic way to improve energy efficiency. As a result, your floors stay warmer during the winter, and HVAC systems won’t have to work as hard to heat or cool your home. Advanced Energy says insulating a crawlspace can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 18 percent. Full encapsulation has grown particularly popular among green and energy-efficient contractors over the past decade.
Professional Crawl Space Encapsulation in Virginia
As long as crawl space encapsulation is well maintained, it can last as long as the rest of the house. Considering the humidity and how expensive issues with moisture control can be, most Virginia homeowners would find it a worthwhile investment. Of course, the most crucial requirement is proper installation. Hiring a professional like Energy Management Insulators, the most-trusted crawl space encapsulation service, can save you time and money.
Contact us today for an estimate or to learn more about our services and the benefits of a sealed crawl space.
