Crawl Space Encapsulation in Fairfax, VA

The crawl space may not be the most exciting part of your home, but it’s still important. You have to be able to reach the plumbing and wiring somehow, right? Unfortunately, this tiny and often-overlooked area can cause myriad problems with far-reaching effects if it’s not properly cared for. 

Crawl space encapsulation can mitigate these problems by protecting the crawl space from moisture. A plastic vapor barrier is used to line the entire space. It’s secured with sturdy mechanical fasteners and sealed with caulk. Then either a dehumidifier or a crawl space conditioning system is installed to keep the air dry.

Keep Your Home Structurally Sound By Vaporizing Moisture

There’s a lot of water in the ground beneath your home, which can vaporize or even puddle, depending on where you live. When the water combines with stagnant air and cool temperatures, rot and decay set in.

Improperly ventilated crawl spaces can lead to serious structural problems as floor joists and framing become compromised.

Keep an eye out for these telltale signs that your crawl space may be damaging your home:

• Warped or buckling floors
• Mildewed carpets
• Rust
• Peeling paint
• Musty odors

And it’s not just structural damage you have to watch out for. Rodents, bugs, and pests of all kinds love dark, dank areas, and snakes love rodents, bugs, and pests. Encapsulating your crawl space can protect your home and family from the damage of these uninvited guests.

Do You Have Your Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor on Speed Dial?

That air coming out of your vents may not be as clean as you think. Cut out the doctor visits and allergy prescriptions by having your home encapsulated. Airflow naturally circulates from the bottom of your home to the top.

When mold and mildew thrive in your crawl space, air quality is dramatically reduced in the rest of the home. Up to half the air you breathe on the first floor comes from the crawl space, causing many health and respiratory problems, including:

• Allergies
• Nasal/sinus congestion
• Skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat irritation
• Asthma-like symptoms

Save on Energy Costs With Crawl Space Encapsulation

Homes with encapsulated crawl spaces have lower heating and cooling costs than homes with exposed crawl spaces. When a crawl space is improperly insulated, there’s no way to control the amount of air inadvertently entering or exiting the crawl space. 

In the summer, hot air enters from outside, and since hot air rises, your air conditioner has to struggle more as additional air from the crawl space flows into your home. In the winter, cold air enters, making the air within the crawl space — and the floor above it — colder. Your heating system will work harder to compensate for the extra cold air and cold floors. 

By encapsulating your crawl space, it maintains a steady temperature year-round. The even temperature will help fend off moisture.

Ready to encapsulate your crawl space? Schedule service with F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical by calling (703) 540-4838.