If you’ve heard about encapsulating the crawlspace in your home here in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Norfolk, Gloucester, Yorktown, or Chesapeake, VA, you might be wondering why anyone would want to pay attention to the seldom-used area underneath your home. However, this space can have a large impact on the overall comfort of your home, through all seasons.
Take a look at what you need to know about the crawlspace encapsulation process, when you might be in need of this home performance upgrade, and what you can expect after the Worley’s crawlspace experts have fully encapsulated your crawlspace.
Signs You Need Crawlspace Encapsulation
It is hard for many homeowners to identify the signs that they need crawlspace encapsulation, either because the symptoms of a leaky and inefficient crawlspace arose slowly over time, or because it was assumed that the issues were an untreatable part of the house.
Cold morning floors
Of course a crawlspace is separated from your living space by your home’s flooring and construction. But in the winter, gaps and air leaks in your home and poor crawlspace insulation can allow cold air up into the rest of your house. When outside temperatures drop even further at night, it can result in cold floors when you wake up.
Indoor drafts
Air leaks hidden throughout a home can really add up, meaning there is a lot more air moving in between your indoor living space and the outdoors. Plus, when your crawlspace is a different temperature than the rest of your home, it can cause the heat inside your home to move, or even escape. This air infiltration and movement of heat often results in a home that feels drafty.
Moisture issues
Outside air infiltration can be a nightmare for your home’s temperatures, and it can also add humidity to your home. Sure, no one likes living in a high-humidity environment, but it can also be dangerous to your health and your home! Added moisture and humidity can lead to faster mold growth, which will irritate your respiratory system and can cause damage to your home’s construction.
The Encapsulation Process
So, how is it that we battle all these issues through crawlspace improvements? At Worley’s, we start encapsulation with a full crawlspace inspection, to pinpoint where the biggest issues are. Then, we install a vapor barrier and air seal the crawlspace to stop future moisture infiltration, and install insulation to prevent unwanted temperatures from moving through your walls and floors.
What You Can Expect After Crawlspace Encapsulation
So, what are the benefits of crawlspace encapsulation? They can include:
- Reduced energy costs
- A more comfortable home all year
- Improved indoor air quality
- Less wear and tear on your heating and cooling system
- More control over the humidity in your home
With a properly insulated and air sealed crawlspace, your home will keep outside temperatures, contaminants, and moisture where they belong: outside! In the summer, the insulation throughout your home will keep the heat out, and in the winter it will keep the heat in. This reduces your reliance on your heating and cooling equipment, saving you on energy costs and reducing wear and tear from overuse.
Think your crawlspace might be the cause of your home comfort issues? Call the Virginia Beach and Norfolk crawlspace experts at Worley’s, or get in touch here.
