The Three Main Elements Of A Crawlspace Restoration Project

Is your crawlspace wet, moldy, and generally in poor condition? This happens in a lot of homes. Crawlspaces don't always get the repairs and maintenance they need over the years, and their condition is easy to ignore since most people don't go in the crawlspace too often. If your crawlspace is in such a state, you might want to hire a crawlspace restoration company to restore the space. Usually, these companies take a crawlspace from gross to pristine by focusing on three key elements.

Removing Wet Materials

Before the contractors can start rebuilding or enhancing everything, they will take the wet materials out of your crawlspace and dry the area. If there is old, moist fiberglass insulation in the crawlspace, they will pull that out. They may also remove some wood that is rotting or moldy. Then, they will run a dehumidifier and perhaps some fans for as long as it takes to dry the space out. This often takes a few days and sometimes up to a week.

Encapsulating the Crawlspace

Many old crawlspaces were designed to be vented, but builders have since found that crawlspace vents tend to let in more moisture and heat than they should. The preferred approach is to seal off crawlspaces completely. This can prevent any moisture from entering. This step is called encapsulation. It can only be performed once the crawlspace is dry since it will trap any remaining moisture inside the space.

To encapsulate the crawlspace, your contractors will line the floor, walls, and ceiling with an impermeable plastic membrane. This membrane will keep water from entering through any surface. 

Insulating the Crawlspace

While the plastic barrier will keep moisture out, it won't do much for heat transfer. So, after the vapor barrier is installed, the contractors will add some insulation. Some will use plain fiberglass bats and unroll them between the crawlspace wall and floor joists. Others may use blown-in insulation. If you do not go in your crawlspace or use it for storage, using blown-in insulation is often preferred. It fills the space and it can be installed much faster since it is loose.

If your crawlspace is a damp, dirty place, consider hiring a crawlspace restoration team to improve it. By focusing on the three elements above, the professional can dry the space out and prevent it from getting gross again. You can get in touch with a dependable professional today. 

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