You bought a home with a pretty large crawl space, but when you look in there, you can’t imagine wanting to use it for anything. The musty smell alone when you get into the basement, is enough to make you want to turn and run back up the stairs. But did you know there is a process called crawl space encapsulation that could convert that space into an area you might find valuable?
Encapsulation is a process to seal off and separate your crawl space from your living area, creating a protected space that will be well-suited to any storage needs you may have. It’s possible to take on this project as a DIY task, but it’s important to address the main problem areas as you do: address mold or pest problems, apply a proper DIY Crawl Space Vapor Barrier in the right way, and keep the area dry. Let’s take a look at why each of these is critical to this project for long-term success.
Address Mold and Pest Problems
Trapping mold behind a barrier is asking for serious trouble with your house down the line—you’ve got to address the causes (often moisture) and get rid of mold before beginning encapsulation. You should also work to make the environment as inhospitable as possible for creatures by sealing up access points from outside and ensuring any existing animals or animal homes are removed.
Apply a Quality Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier measuring 10mm or even 20mm thick is a great way to upgrade your crawl space. It will reduce the likelihood of puncture and help be sure the encapsulation keeps your area sealed up tight.
Keep the Area Dry
You may need to purchase a dehumidifier to make sure that the area stays dry and that moisture is no longer a problem for your crawl space.
A local professional basement and crawl space company can often provide advice as well as equipment and kits to help make your DIY job a bit easier.