Crawlspace
Protect Your Investment From The Ground Up
Why is the Crawlspace Important?
As much as 50% of the air in your home comes directly from the basement or crawlspace, bringing any available moisture and contaminates into your home from below.
In the South Eastern United Stated, unfinished and open-vented crawlspaces are highly susceptible to high moisture levels from the earth, and the outside air. As a result, this excess moisture intrusion can cause many issues in the crawlspace:
Mold Growth on Floor Joist and Subfloor
Attractive environment to pests, spiders, termites, and various insects
Swelling and Buckling Floors
Sweating and Damp Ductwork; direct moisture intrusion
Galvanized Duct and Boot Rusting
Mold-ridden and heavy, damp fiberglass insulation that often falls from the subfloor.
The Stack Effect
Mold Spores
Particulates
Fibers
Dust & Soot
Pollen
Gaseous Vapor like Radon
The effects of a nasty, damp crawlspace can be felt and seen in the home. The Stack Effect is a principle of physics describing the behavior of air, and its movement toward a less concentrated space. This explains the vacuum pull upward, into your home, that causes crawlspace moisture and pollutants to be a concern. Crawlspace air makes its way into the home above, through any nook it can.
These various micro organisms and debris circulate throughout the home, landing on walls, ceilings, furniture, interior ductwork, and other personal items. Note: The mold inside your home does not have to be growing actively within the home to be within the air makeup; it can grow inside the crawlspace and ascend into the home.
How We Fix Your Crawlspace
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Using HEPA Air Scrubber machines inside the home, and negative air to pull air from the crawlspace, we help to prevent cross contamination due to any labor in the cleaning process.
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All batt insulation is removed from the crawlspace. This insulation is often saturated with moisture and harbors mold growth. The current science shows this insulation has no place in an open air space, and should not be attempted to be cleaned.
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We use safe botanical disinfectants for mold removal from the subfloor and floor joists of the crawlspace. These safe solutions are allowed to soak in to the wood grain and actively pull microbials to the surface for thorough cleaning.
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We install commercial quality anti-microbial vapor barriers to separate the ground and moisture from the subfloor of your home. The barrier is overlapped 2 feet and taped to seal edges, trapping moisture below in the earth.
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We have many methods of sealing and insulating the vents on the foundation of a home from the inside and out. In many situations we are able to color match vent covers for aesthetics on your foundation.
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We have 2 primary forms of dehumdifiction for your crawlspace once it is sealed. Learn More
The Vapor Barrier Liner
No two vapor barriers are made the same. We use an industry leading anti-microbial vapor barrier to separate your crawlspace from the earth, isolating moisture within the soil and protecting your home; its durability is comparable to a swimming pool liner, giving you the best moisture protection. The barrier is secured snug around columns and extended up the foundation walls (distance up walls dependent on individual job needs). The seams between large pieces are overlapped one foot, and secured with air-sealing tape made specifically for our vapor barrier. The barrier is secured on the foundation walls with secure shallow wall fasteners. Note: any previous existing vapor barrier will be removed from the crawlspace pre-installation.
Dehumidification
Air Supply Inducer
The 'set it, and forget it' passive solution for crawlspace conditioning. This simple mechanical object is installed directly on the main trunkline of your crawlspace duct system. Conditioned air will enter the crawlspace when the HVAC system is running, depressing the relative humidity levels.
Maintenance Free
Requires Duct Work in Crawlspace
Dehumidifier
Santa Fe Dehumidifier offers industry leading warrantee through manufacturer and is a moisture removing powerhouse. Machine size will be determined based on crawlspace cubic footage.
Requires 12v Plug-in
Required Filter replacements
Powerful active moisture removal
6 Year Warrantee through the manufacturer
Many projects see both methods of conditioning installed. The air supply inducer can introduce fresh air into the crawlspace as the Santa Fe machine can actively dehumidify the air. For the ultimate moisture control system.
Benefits of Crawlspace Encapsulation
Resale Value
Quality of life improvements for your home that you can pass on to new owners.
CL100 Compliant
Termite inspection compliant; all inspection spots are visible for technicians.
Better Environment
Cleaner air quality for you and your family
Energy Saving
Eliminate busywork by automating repetitive administrative tasks.
Power Costs
Helps lower HVAC heating and cooling costs
Protects Duct Work
Extends life of HVAC Equipment: Prevents sweating ducts and moisture damage to duct work.
Keeps Out Critters
Prevents entry to pests, spiders, termites, and various insects.
Odors
Reduces airborne contaminates in crawlspace, helping prevent smells and odors in crawlspace and in home.
Keeps Out Moisture
Reduces moisture intrusion into your home, putting less pressure on your HVAC System.
Inhibits Mold Growth
Prevents mold growth in the crawlspace, therefore preventing it from migrating into the home.
Warmer Winters
Keeps floors warmer during the colder months, for a more comfortable home.
Prevents Pipe Heatloss
Metal, PVP, and CPVC pipes are kept at a more ideal temperature, preventing heatless and external pressure on pipes in the hot and cold months.
The Process
Phone Consultation
Tell us the reason you contacted us, and what concerns you have about your specific job.
Site Inspection
Full moisture and visual inspection of jobsite. This allows us to find the source of the issues plaguing your home.
Free Estimates*
Our quotes are good for 60 days. (*Estimates are complimentary for relevant services)
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Don’t trust your mold project to just anyone; trust us. Carolina Mold Solutions has the experience and track record you need for your restoration and air quality needs.