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Crawlspace conditioning, at its core, is about moisture control. Moisture is the root cause of most issues in the crawlspace, leading to costly repairs and unhealthy environments. Clean Safe Services is a moisture management service that helps clients control and manage moisture and its source. Expert inspections, evaluations, and professional workmanship in the installation are the foundation of our company and our commitment to you.
Standard building construction produced most homes with a crawlspace, including a foundation footer, block or brick curtain perimeter walls, and piers that support the home’s subfloor. This space between your home’s subfloor and soil grade offers access to an HVAC system, plumbing, electrical wiring, communications, and floor insulation. Foundation vents are added during construction to allow the home to breathe and exchange the crawlspace air with ambient outside air. Sounds like a good idea, right? In actuality, most times, it’s inadequate.
Homes can be surrounded by landscaping and fencing or feature a design that restricts the homes’ ability to breathe. Foundation vents are a minimal, one-size-fits-all building design without accounting for contributing conditions that create significant issues with your crawlspace and home’s overall health.
The underside of your home is exposed to an open soil surface area. Soil that holds and transfers moisture wicked up from surrounding soil. This soil in your crawlspace can stay wet well past the outside landscape due to topography and soil conditions. Your crawlspace becomes a musty, smelly greenhouse that can lead to various problems, including mold growth, wood rot, and structural damage.
One of the primary reasons for a crawlspace vapor barrier is it’s the first line of defense in moisture control. A properly installed vapor barrier covering the open surface area of soil is critical to reducing ground moisture from seeping into the crawlspace. The first necessary step is maintaining a dry environment and preserving the home’s structural integrity. In most Southeastern states, building codes require a 6-mill vapor barrier throughout your crawlspace.
A properly installed vapor barrier should cover the entirety of the crawlspace up to perimeter walls and all piers with seams overlapping at a minimum of 6 inches and secured with waterproof seam tape. At Clean Safe Crawlspace, our standard is a superior complete 10-mill white vapor barrier, which gives outstanding results and durability with years of dependable services. Our expert team members can answer any questions, offer options, and help you decide what fits your crawlspace according to your needs and budget.
High humidity in the crawlspace is a significant cause of structural damage. High humidity and moisture can cause condensation on structural surfaces and water accumulation in the space. This can turn your crawlspace into a semi-greenhouse and breeding ground for mold, fungus, and wood rot. Your crawlspace can trap that moisture and humidity for extended periods regardless of the season.
The measured amount of moisture in the air directly affects wood. As relative humidity rises, so does the wood moisture content of any wood exposed to that air. For example, wood exposed to 90% RH will reach a WMC of about 20%, which doesn’t take long. Studies demonstrate that elevated RH can raise WMC in building materials in as little as a few weeks. Mold and fungi decay can start at these levels, thrive on the moisture in the wood, and potentially cause unhealthy conditions and damage to the structure.
Temperature and humidity in the Lowcountry may fluctuate, rising and falling with the weather and seasons. Still, our crawlspaces can hold these unfavorable conditions and levels for long periods. Most homeowners are completely unaware of the conditions and levels of their crawlspaces, usually reacting to and addressing only apparent issues. Too often, at this point, the damage from long-term neglect can be extensive and costly.
WMC readings of 12% to 16% are standard for new construction lumber and existing healthy residential substructures. This is the ideal WMC range for a crawlspace wood substructure and healthy home. WMC readings of 16% to 20% indicate that conditions in the crawlspace are at an elevated state. At this point, the source and root cause of moisture in the crawlspace should be corrected. WMC readings of 20% to 28% are at the beginning levels of decay and rot in a crawlspace substructure, and your home is at serious risk. Mold and fungus can develop and grow at this level, starting the cycle of wood rot and decay. These levels would need to be addressed and corrected immediately.
WMC Readings above 28% in a crawlspace can result in wood substructures such as floor joists/subflooring/and sills often showing signs of rot and decay. WMC levels in this range for extended periods will support mold, fungus, and wood rot in a matter of time. Attention is recommended immediately; otherwise, extensive, costly structural repair may be necessary.
Leaking plumbing will directly introduce moisture into your crawlspace. One drop of water per second from a failing plumbing line can introduce 4.5 gallons of water over 24 hours, 139.5 gallons per month, and 1642.5 gallons annually. All that pooling water and moisture directly affects your WMC and the environmental condition of the crawlspace.
Leaking air from an unsealed HVAC duct system can introduce cool, conditioned air into the crawlspace or, worse, undesirable air into your home. As cool air is introduced into your crawlspace from a leak, the fluctuation of RH and temperature causes condensation and moisture to form. Faulty dryer vents entering the crawlspace introduce moist air from the drying process. As this system cycles, It continuously adds to the WMC and potential for mold, fungi growth, and wood rot.
Foundation vents are designed to allow your crawlspace to aspirate naturally. As the wind blows around your house, positive and negative pressure is created in the crawlspace, transferring air and letting the space breathe. Restricted or dirty foundation vent screens, too few foundation vents, landscaping and shrubbery restricting natural airflow, and building design can contribute to elevated WMC and mold/fungi growth.
Water can enter your crawlspace through foundation walls and soil. Often, your crawlspace is below the exterior grade of your home, and water will follow the path of least resistance. Rainfall, roofing designs, downspouts, and leaking water spigots and hoses may collect water near foundation walls that work their way into the space. The natural topography and grade can often channel water toward your home. Saturated soil from rainfall or poor drainage can find its way into your crawlspace, exposing your substructure to water-saturated soil and potentially pushing the water up and pooling in the low areas. This standing water can remain in the crawlspace for extended periods, creating havoc and elevating WMC, beginning the cycle of decay and damage.
Crawlspace encapsulation is a system process designed to seal, insulate, and protect the area beneath a home. This encapsulation creates a physical barrier between the crawlspace and the external environment, typically including the ground, moisture, pests, and outdoor air. The primary goal of encapsulating a crawlspace is to control moisture levels, improve indoor air quality, enhance energy efficiency, and prevent structural damage and pest infestations.
Encapsulating a crawlspace is essential for maintaining a home’s structural soundness, improving indoor air quality, and increasing energy efficiency. It’s a proactive measure that helps prevent mold growth, wood rot, high energy bills, and pest infestations, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
The cost of encapsulating a crawlspace can vary depending on factors such as the size, the extent of damage or moisture issues, debris cleanup, grading, and the materials used. However, the long-term benefits of energy savings and reduced maintenance costs often justify the initial investment.
Think about how important your roof is to protect your home; your crawlspace is the same. The structural damage and environmental exposure from an unmaintained crawlspace can be extensive. It’s the area of your home that is the most overlooked. Often, we see that when a homeowner addresses crawlspace-related issues, it’s from years of neglect that have manifested into costly structural issues. It’s the silent destroyer. An investment in your crawlspace, such as encapsulation, can protect your investment, home, and family. A properly installed and maintained crawlspace encapsulation can last well over 25 years. We at Clean Safe Crawlspace believe it should last a lifetime.
The answer is Yes! Crawlspace encapsulation is highly effective because it addresses the root causes of numerous home-related issues. Sealing off the crawlspace from external elements significantly reduces moisture infiltration, preventing mold and mildew growth while preserving the home’s structural integrity. Installing a vapor barrier and proper insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature, reducing the energy required for heating and cooling.
This leads to tangible energy savings and enhanced comfort year-round. Moreover, crawlspace encapsulation is a formidable barrier against pests and airborne allergens, improving indoor air quality. Combining these factors makes crawlspace encapsulation a comprehensive and efficient solution to ensure a healthier, more energy-efficient, and structurally sound home environment.
At our company, we stand behind the quality of our work and the products we use, which is why we offer a comprehensive one-year warranty to our valued consumers. This warranty is a testament to our commitment to customer satisfaction and the durability of our crawlspace encapsulation services. In the unlikely event that any issues arise within the first year after the encapsulation project is completed, our warranty ensures you have peace of mind.
We will promptly address and rectify any concerns, ensuring your crawlspace performs optimally. Your satisfaction and the long-term effectiveness of our encapsulation solutions are our top priority, and our one-year warranty is a testament to our confidence in the quality of our workmanship and materials.
Choosing Clean Safe Crawlspace for your crawlspace encapsulation needs is a decision driven by expertise, reliability, and a commitment to excellence. With a track record of delivering outstanding results, our experienced technicians bring years of experience and knowledge to every project. Our team consists of highly skilled professionals who understand the unique challenges of crawlspace encapsulation and possess the technical know-how to address them effectively. We use only professional-grade materials and commercial-grade equipment on our installations by industry-leading manufacturers designed for crawlspace applications.
Our expert team leader will take daily photos of conditions, workmanship, and progress during your installation. This gives our clients a visual reference guide so that you may follow the crawlspace progress and workmanship to completion. We prioritize your satisfaction and take pride in our meticulous attention to detail, ensuring your crawlspace is sealed and insulated to the highest standards. Moreover, we offer competitive pricing, transparent communication, and a dedication to meeting deadlines.
When you choose us, you're choosing a trusted partner to provide you with a safer, healthier, and more energy-efficient home. Your crawlspace deserves nothing less than the quality and expertise we bring.