For decades, homes were constructed with open crawlspaces vented to the hot, humid Woodville weather conditions, with no vapor barrier protection other than a lightweight, unsecured sheet of plastic. Yet, modern building practices have shown that these vented crawl spaces can create more problems than expected, such as poor indoor air quality, heightened allergies and sensitivities to mold and mildew, rot and decay of essential structural elements, more insects and pests, and lower energy efficiency due to damp, ineffective insulation. You can think of your crawl space as an ‘invisible’ room beneath your house, as it often hides many moisture-related problems since it’s rarely entered.
Since crawl space encapsulation involves many factors, it’s best left to the professionals like Tony Kelly Heating and Air Conditioning. Here’s what you can expect from crawl space experts:
Debris removal from the crawl space
Professionals can’t start the encapsulation process without clearing the crawl space of all debris. Due to moisture damage, there may be various items to clean out before repairs can begin. For example, aside from moldy insulation and rotten wood, mold on support beams and walls may need to be removed, along with any animal remains. This not only prepares the space for waterproofing but also makes it immediately healthier.
Regrade the Soil and Install Drainage
Once the debris is cleared, the next step is regrading the dirt floors, which is common in Woodville crawl spaces. This allows water to drain quickly toward the foundation’s edges. Afterward, a crawl space drainage system is installed to collect groundwater and divert it, ensuring long-term protection.
Sump Pump Installation and Sealing Open Vents
After drainage installation, a sump pump is installed to provide additional protection against rising water levels. It works well with or without a drainage system. Sealing open vents is another important task, as these vents allow outside humidity to enter your foundation.
Insulate Walls, Install Vapor Barrier, and Dehumidify
The final steps include wall insulation to maintain temperature and reduce humidity. A 20-mil thick vapor barrier is then installed, covering the entire crawl space to block groundwater and outside humidity. Finally, a high-performance dehumidifier is added to ensure continuous moisture control and protection from water vapor.
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Encapsulation is quite essential in most homes around Woodville, Florida, mainly because homeowners must deal with above-average rainfall and humidity levels. With such high moisture levels, crawl spaces are more exposed to problems like mold or wood rot. Therefore, encapsulation becomes a worthy investment, as it protects your home against structural damage while also improving health by preventing mold growth, pest infestations, and stale odors. Quite simply, encapsulation means an all-around boost in quality of life.