Got a dirty stinky nasty crawl space and not sure if crawlspace encapsulation Austin is right for your home?
Crawlspace Problems & Repair Solutions
Got cold floors? We fix them!
If you are in the Austin metro area and you have a typical crawlspace, then most likely it is vented. There are vents on the plumbing, air ducts, dirt floor, on the sides, and all over the place – and it is at least as humid in the crawlspace as it is outside.
There are 4 different reasons why this is a problem:
1. Moldy conditions can be created by humid conditions.
When high relative humidity and stagnant air are combined it can lead very quickly to mold growing on the floor joists. When mold starts to grow in a crawlspace, it can be very difficult to get rid of it -especially since once it gets humid it grows back each year!
2. Musty air from a crawlspace can get inside your house.
Duct leakage can result in your HVAC pulling in mold-laden, musty air from your home’s crawlspace. This dirty air gets into your living space as well through cracks and gaps in your flooring (ductwork, electrical, and plumbing penetrations). This happens both when blowing cold air and warm air.
3. Moisture can cause fiberglass insulation to sag and fall over.
Have you ever wondered why the fiberglass batts underneath your floor seem to always fall down. It is true that sometimes gravity causes it. Unless the crawl space insulation batts are secured well between the floor joists (which they often are not), then they will end up falling down. However, humidity can also cause them to fall. Moisture within the air saturates the batts which results in them collapsing underneath their own weight. So much for having insulated floors!
4. Insects really like moist, warm environments.
So if you like camel crickets, spiders, and roaches, check out your crawl spaces in the springtime. You may see several of these. Moist wood inside of crawlspaces is very hospital to termites.
So many problems are caused by crawl spaces. It makes you wonder why so many houses were built with one in the first place. Basically, they are dirt-floor, uninsulated basements that have open windows.
They really start to get nasty in the spring. So it is best to get crawl space repair services before then.
Problem Building Assembly
Stellrr Solution
So what can be done about for crawl space repair?
That’s a great question. There are many methods and products that are available that can help to improve a humid crawl spaces as well as help to mitigate the issues that excess moisture causes under the house and in your living space. Some of them are more effective compared to others.
Some people simply place a vapor barrier (crawl space encapsulation plastic) over the crawlspace floor. Vapor barriers prevent humidity from moving from the wet ground into the crawl space. This probably does help. However, it doesn’t do anything with the humid air that comes into the vents or prevent mold growth which is bad for indoor air quality and can create structural damage. How can that be dealt with?
Other people lay down a vapor barrier, and then seal up the ven and add a dehumidifier. This is an improvement. However, it still doesn’t address the air leakage coming from the concrete walls or joist bays. The walls have a tendency to soak moisture up from the surrounding ground all year long.
This particular “solution” also can cause your dehumidifier to have to work overtime and cause your energy bills to increase.
Austin crawlspace encapsulation benefits
Encapsulation is the only foolproof way of fixing all of your crawl space issues. This process basically transforms your crawl space into an insulated, dry insulated.
The following are some of the steps that are involved with a proper crawl space encapsulation:
- Eliminate the water with crawl space encapsulation. And then keep it out permanently! Before you make any major changes to your home, first you need to get rid of any standing water and deal with any drainage problems. SmartSump is our sump pump for crawl space drainage.
- Remediate the crawl space mold. Removing old from the floor joists and cleaning any air ducts that may have mold on them is a good first step to take. Otherwise, you might seal mold up inside of your crawl space. We have a proprietary Mold-X that we use. It kills and neutralizes mold and prevents it from being able to release spores.
- Install a crawlspace vapor barrier. Your best option is using our 20 mils CleanSpace vapor barrier and installing it over the crawl space support piers, walls, and floors. It is then sealed on the edges in order to prevent humidity from being able to creep up over the side.
- Seal up the crawl space vents. You need to make it as if they were never there to begin with. That way, humid air will not be able to easily circulate. We have Everlast vent covers that we use that do not crack, rot, or warp.
- Insulate the rim joist bays and crawlspace walls. That is an effective way to regulate fluctuations in temperature inside the crawl space and to save on your energy bills. The walls are insulated with closed cell spray foam insulation, so you can do insulation removal with the old fiberglass batts in the floor cavities as well.
- Seal up all crawl space floor penetrations. Now that the fiberglass batts are gone, you can easily find all of the places where the pipes, wires, and ductwork penetrate the floor. The gaps can then be sealed using our ZypFoam product.
- Dehumidify the crawlspace mechanically. How can your crawl space be kept dry after you do all of this work? We have a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier that we use. The energy-efficient units will maint our crawl space at 50% to 60% RH all year long This way, it will be nearly impossible for any mold to grow there.
What is the result? No musty, smelly air. The indoor air quality is greatly improved. Fewer problems with allergies. The HVAC is more efficient. Energy bills are lower. Not as many gigantic cockroaches.
It is true, your crawlspace actually can be dry and clean.
Encapsulation really does it. It helps to keep the air from the crawl space from your house and mitigates the negative impacts that humidity under your house can have. Encapsulation is also able to extend the lifespan of your home’s HVAC system by reducing the growth of microbes on the indoor coil and improving efficiency and reducing cooling costs.
It could even increase your home’s value. Numerous homebuyers love the thought of having a dry, clean crawl space that is free of problems -especially if they have had a bad one before.
If you are completely grossed out by what is occurring right now in your crawl space or you wonder why your allergies appear to be so bad even when you are inside – then the answer to your problems could be crawl space encapsulation.
Would you rather not go down there to see if there is a crawl space issue? Don’t worry. We can handle your crawl space insulation or your attic insulation for you.
Ready to fix your Austin crawlspace insulation?
Book your Diagnostic Consult to get the crawl space encapsulation cost. We offer fair pricing and great communication. Discover what are the problems in your Austin crawl space insulation. Don’t wait until there is standing water or you are in need of foundation repair. Learn what crawl space repairs need to be implemented to achieve your goals. We can also reduce the need for foundation repair and prevent mold growth. OR, if you aren’t read for that yet, download and read my book here:
Most Trusted Crawlspace Encapsulation Experts in Austin, Texas
Stellrr Insulation & Spray Foam is located on 401 Congress Ave #1540, Austin.
We’re open Mo-Su 6:00AM – 10:00PM.
Stellrr has been serving the Austin area for many years. For additional questions you can call us today at (512) 520-0044 or you can find us on Yelp and Houzz.
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Stellrr Insulation & Spray Foam
401 Congress Ave #1540 Austin Texas 78701
Crawl Space Repair and Insulation Services Offered
- Spray Foam Insulation
- Blown In Cellulose Insulation
- Crawl Space Encapsulation
- Floor Insulation
- Crawl Space Insulation
- Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation
- Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation
- Whole House Dehumidifiers
- Mold Stain Removal
- Insulation Removal & Sanitation
- Attic Insulation
- Wall Insulation
Stellrr’s Crawlspace Insulation Service Area
Stellrr’s Serves Central Texas including Austin, San Antonio, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Buda, Canyon Lake, Cedar Park, Elgin, Kyle, Lakeway, Lockhart, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos, Spicewood, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, and surrounding central Texas cities.
Here is what to do next!
Call 512-520-0044 today! Claim your Home Energy Audit, Thermal Mapping, and Blower Door Test ($297 Value FREE). Or download our e-book: Secrets to Making Your Home Comfortable & Energy Efficient (A $27 Value)! So you can make an informed and intelligent decision when hiring an air duct insulation contractor near me!