This could result in a hazardous situation if the fumes build up too much. Once you have encapsulated your crawl space, the last thing you want is for toxic fumes from some of your gas appliances to possibly be venting into a sealed area. Carefully inspect areas where your gas appliances backdraft.An aerosol of this kind has been developed specifically to kill all microscopic and airborne spores that may still be circulating. Consider backing up any spot mildew treatments that you have done with a fogger to ensure that there is no chance that any spores could start growing again.Ī product like DWD2 Home and Commercial Mold Treatment would be perfect. Sweep up and remove any debris that has fallen while you were cleaning. The most important thing that you must remember is to clean and fully dry the areas you have treated for mold before starting the encapsulating process. You can clean mildew that you see by spraying it with foaming mildew killing spray or soaking it in a chemical specially formulated to kill mold. If there are any signs of decay or mold, this needs to be thoroughly treated and all signs of mold removed before starting the encapsulation process. Inspect the corners and areas where rafters are joined. Using a flashlight, check for any signs of mold or mildew. If there is any sign of rot in the floor beams, you will first need to replace all damaged sections before continuing. Check for damage to the wooden beams and joists.Keep all season’s weather in mind while doing this – do your inspection based on the rainiest season. Encapsulating the crawl space won’t be effective if groundwater is seeping in under your home. If yes, check your guttering and grading around the house. Look for water seeping into the crawl space.Things to look out for when doing the initial inspection: From your inspection, you need to take note of what you need to correct to repair the damage that may have already happened and have a clear picture of the layout before you begin the process of encapsulating the area. It’s often cold, dank, and dark, with bits of old building rubble lying about. The area below your house can be pretty scary. Let’s Get Started! Step 1 – Perform a Thorough Inspection By covering the soil under your home, you are essentially insulating the rest of the house from being directly in contact with the cold later of earth on which it lies. Wood-eating termites can enter your home without you being aware that they are there and can cause a tremendous amount of damage to the structure of your house.Īn added benefit for sealing off the crawl space is that you will see significant energy savings. In addition, mildew and mold form spores which can negatively affect the air quality inside your house.Įncapsulating the crawl space under your home will also keep damage-causing termites out. Moisture and dampness cause rot which weakens the structure. Installing a dehumidifier to keep the air below your home dry.Ĭonclusion Benefits of Encapsulating Crawl Spaces?īy encapsulating the crawl space, you can prevent moisture from rising and coming into contact with your home’s wooden frames and flooring.Sealing off any vents or openings to the outside where moisture could enter from outside.Covering the dirt floor so that any moisture in the ground cannot rise into your floorboards.Add to that a few critters like rats that may not like to share your new home with, and you will quickly realize that it is critical to ensure that the crawlspace beneath your home is completely dry and sealed.įortunately, if the damage from moisture is minimal, encapsulating the crawl space under your home can be undertaken as a DIY activity.Įncapsulating a crawlspace involves the following: Over time fungi and molds could start proliferating beneath your floorboards which won’t only weaken the beams but will also affect the air quality inside your house. While homes can look pristine from above, the area below the floors could be dank and wet. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that the crawl space is wet until it’s too late.
The importance of ensuring that the crawl space is dry is a lesson I see many people learn the expensive way.