If you have a crawlspace, you may be experiencing a range of problems. As a responsible homeowner, you want to avoid the unpleasantness of mold and pests and even worse scenarios like structural damage. Abnormal moisture levels cause all of these issues. In the past, the experts believed that increasing crawl space ventilation to bring in outdoor air could solve these moisture problems. However, recent studies have shown that this approach can worsen the situation by increasing relative humidity levels and providing a gateway for pests from the outdoor environment into your crawlspace.

A field study by Advanced Energy has found that crawl space encapsulation is a better solution to moisture problems. The study shows that sealed crawl spaces keep the wood moisture threshold below 12%, making mold and insect presence less likely. A dryer space is more structurally sound and less likely to impact the heating and cooling of the main floor above it, which means that encapsulation can help reduce your monthly energy bills.

AdvantaClean Can Help with Moisture Issues

AdvantaClean professionals are experts in crawl space encapsulation. We understand the importance of controlling moisture and regulating humidity to maintain a healthy and structurally sound crawl space.We use advanced techniques like interior and exterior drains, vapor barriers, and humidity control equipment to seal off the crawlspace from the outside environment. With our expertise and experience, we can help you achieve a healthy and comfortable home by addressing your moisture problems effectively.

AdvantaClean experts help by:

  • Controlling Moisture 

AdvantaClean can add drains to this area underneath the house. Crawl space drains should be unique to the specific property to ensure that any water has a path out of this area and does not sit and impact the structural components of the foundation.  In most cases, a sump-pump will be utilized to exit the water from the crawl space.

  • Regulating Humidity

Equipment should be installed within this crawl space to keep the relative humidity in a particular moisture range. dehumidifiers installed in the space can work to keep the environmental moisture under the threshold.  Fungal growth can start to form at a relative humidity of 60% or greater.  Unaddressed high humidity in a crawlspace can eventually result in structural damage, cupping of wood floors in the home, and an unsafe living environment.

  • Establishing Barriers

We install a vapor barrier to the ground overlapping each seam six to twelve inches and staking it down to secure it. At a minimum, our services utilize a thickness of six-mil polyethylene for the liner. This heavy-duty material assures that no moisture can penetrate this newly installed defense.

We can also install a fully encapsulated system of 12 mil plastic on the ground and going up the walls and piers, sealing all crawl space vents and foundation openings.  When a crawl space is sealed, it is recommended that a dehumidifier be installed. 

There are several options in between the 6 mil vapor barrier and fully encapsulated crawlspace.  We ensure that the right system is installed to address whatever issue you are having in your crawlspace.

  • Reducing Pests

A significant benefit of encapsulation is reducing the available pathways for infestations of rodents and insects. Dark and moist environments are attractive to these pests, but encapsulation makes entry harder and the space less inviting. 

  • Removing Post-Installation Odors 

Unpleasant odors are still a possibility after encapsulation. This smell is because the soil beneath your home decomposes and emits gasses that can momentarily be trapped in the crawl space. AdvantaClean professionals can install a vent pipe and fan to flush the soil gasses out of the crawlspace and direct them outside. This cleaner environment means better indoor air quality in the living quarters above.

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If you're experiencing mold or mildew in your crawlspace, it's essential to tackle your moisture problem, not just the mold. AdvantaClean offers 24/7 emergency services to help you take control of your crawlspace moisture problems. Request a service appointment today by calling (877) 800-2382 to prevent further damage to your home.

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