How Encapsulating Your Crawl Space Can Prevent Pesky Termites from Damaging Your Home
If you're like most homeowners, you probably don't think about your crawl space very often. You probably think about the pests that can live down there even less! But did you know that encapsulating your crawl space can actually help protect your home from pests like termites? Termites can cause a lot of damage to homes, so it's important to take steps to prevent them from invading your property. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of encapsulating your crawl space and how it will help keep pests away.
One of the benefits of encapsulating your crawl space is that it can help prevent pests like termites from entering your home. Termites are attracted to damp and dark places, so by sealing off your crawl space, you can make it less inviting for them. Additionally, encapsulating your crawl space can also help to regulate the temperature in your home and reduce energy costs. So not only will you be helping to protect your home from pests, but you'll also be saving money on your energy bills!
Ok, so how do I get started?
If you're thinking about encapsulating your crawl space, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure to choose a reputable contractor who has experience with this type of work. Second, be sure to get an estimate of the cost before work begins, (note: that same reputable crawl space contractor will often inspect your crawl space and provide an estimate of an encapsulation installation for free!) And finally, be sure to ask questions if you have any! By following these tips, you can be sure that you're taking the right steps to protect your home from pests like termites. Thanks for reading!
When it comes to protecting your home from pests, there are a variety of options available. But one option that is sure to be an incredibly good investment for your home is encapsulating your crawl space. Make sure you are seeking out an "encapsulation" and not just a few piecemeal terms like "vapor barrier" or "moisture control." An encapsulation refers to the process by which an experienced contractor installs a complete system to seal and protect your crawl space from moisture, and as an added benefit, from pests. This type of work should always be completed by an experienced contractor to ensure your crawl space is fully and properly protected.
A properly installed encapsulation system will protect your home from moisture, rot and YES, even termites! It will also increase your homes ability to retain heating and cooling from your HVAC system, saving you thousands of dollars in heating and air costs over the lifetime of your home. The cost of the encapsulation will pay for itself over the next few years of savings brought about by a professionally installed system. Talk about a serious upgrade!
How does an encapsulation protect my home?
The process to encapsulate a crawl space can be very complicated, but we've broken it down to a few high-level steps to help you understand how a contractor would go about installing a system.
First, by laying down a high-quality polymer all over the floor and applying insulation to the walls of the crawl space, the entire area is sealed off from moisture that rises from the dirt floor of the foundation and the foundation walls. This natural moisture from evaporation is able to be curbed by a quality vapor barrier. Secondly, a dehumidifier is installed at the highest area of the crawl space to absorb the remaining moisture in the air--this is especially useful if you live in a humid area! Next, a sump pump is installed at the lowest point of the crawl space. This handy-dandy machine will suck up any water that collects on top of the vapor barrier (such as rainwater that is washed into the crawl space.) This is why it is critical to use an experienced contractor who will know exactly how to install the sump pump for maximum efficiency in keep the rainwater out of the wood in your home's framing. Finally, your contractor should offer to seal the wood of the crawl space. A high-quality seal will be the final nail in the coffin for any intruding moisture, ensuring your wood will last for decades to come, without any fear of rot (and therefore termites!) from eating their way into your home's foundation.
What about termite inspections?
A common question many contractors get regarding encapsulations is whether or not a termite inspection or treatment can take place in an encapsulated crawl space. The answer: YES. Most termite inspection and treatment companies recommend encapsulation as a critical part of the pest control process. Every type of termite treatment and inspection service can be completed in an encapsulated crawl space: the gap between wood framing and the polymer can be inspected for mud tunnels (a tell-tale sign that termites are trying to crawl their way up into your home.) The polymer can be peeled back if access is needed to apply treatment to the dirt, see-through sections of polymer can be strategically placed so the termite inspection can spot-check areas of dirt for signs of termites, and so on! If you have any concerns about whether or not an encapsulation and a pest inspection can co-exist peacefully, then be sure to reach out to your local crawl space expert to find out more!
Pest control is an important part of homeownership, and encapsulating your crawl space is one way to help keep pests away. If you have any questions about this process or would like a free estimate, please don't hesitate to contact us today! We're here to help you protect your home and keep it pest-free! Thanks for reading!