Before diving into your crawl space and covering everything with plastic as a means of encapsulation, it is important to begin with a thorough audit. An initial assessment of your crawl space should identify any possible hazardous elements, as well as give you an opportunity to check how local codes suggest certain situations are handled. This will in turn speed up the whole project.
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Here are some things you need to examine and evaluate before starting your crawl space encapsulation:
If you find standing water, consult with a professional to remove it. Standing water can be a safety issue while working in a crawl space and can lead to possible electrocution.
Crawl spaces tend to be dark, so making sure you have enough visibility when working will help you make sure you haven't missed anything that could later compromise the integrity of the moisture protection system.
Since most crawl spaces will have dirt floors, remove sharp rocks or debris that may damage or penetrate vapor barriers during installation. Bring a bucket to ease the collection process. This is where that adequate lighting will come in handy. If the floor of the crawl space is uneven, flatten and smooth the soil with a rake. You may even need to consider bringing in more soil or stone to properly grade the floor of the crawl for drainage.
Strap and reinforce any free hanging ductwork. This makes the area easier to maneuver in during installation and provides better visibility. It also allows greater access to parts of the crawl space that would otherwise be more difficult to get to.
The last thing you want to do is cover up a water pipe that is about to leak. In cases like this, it is best to be preemptive. If you are unsure about the state of a pipe, call a professional and get a second opinion.
Check for wood rot, mold, or damage. Installing a vapor barrier over an already compromised surface is just masking a problem that can rear its head down the road.
This could be a result of dead rodents or mold. Although encapsulating the crawl space will help eliminate odors, removing the source before beginning the process is prudent.
Two factors that affect the performance of a crawl space enclosure are: air sealing and insulation. These are the areas you'd want to seal in compliance with your local codes:
When encapsulating a crawl space, building code requires the space have conditioned air1. If dehumidification is the method you’re going to go with, you’ll need the right size dehumidifier for your specific application. Here's a chart to help you determine what capacity of dehumidification you need depending on the size and conditions of your crawl space (these ratings are minimum size ratings).
Crawl Space Area | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Current Condition of Space Without Humidifier | 500 Sq. Ft. | 1,000 Sp. Ft. | 1,500 Sq. Ft. | 2,000 Sq. Ft. | 2,500 Sq. Ft. |
Moderately Damp | 10 Pints | 14 Pints | 18 Pints | 22 Pints | 26 Pints |
Very Damp | 12 Pints | 17 Pints | 22 Pints | 27 Pints | 32 Pints |
Wet | 14 Pints | 20 Pints | 26 Pints | 32 Pints | 38 Pints |
Extremely Wet | 16 Pints | 23 Pints | 30 Pints | 37 Pints | 44 Pints |
These figures are estimates only. Pint values indicate dehumidification required in pints per 24 hours. Courtesy of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
The right barrier will prevent moisture vapor from entering the crawl space, be durable, and long lasting. Ideally, the liner will be part of a larger offered system that includes installation accessories that will make the project easier for you.
Stego® Industries, LLC is a leader in moisture protection products and strives to exceed industry standards and client expectations. Contact us if you are looking for a high-quality vapor barrier for your crawl space that exceeds industry standards.
Sources:
1According to the 2012 IBC standard: Section 1203.3.2.4