Encapsulate your crawlspace the right way for proper home performance!

Crawlspace sealing otherwise known as encapsulation, is a great way to save money and make your home a safer cleaner environment for you and your family. Unsealed crawl spaces are major air leak locations. Significant amounts of conditioned air is lost to the crawl due to hole penetrations where all wiring, plumbing and HVAC materials go into the crawl space and are left unsealed. When you have crawl space leaks the home becomes drafty and uncomfortable. By sealing a crawl space the U.S Energy Star program estimates the saving of 20% on energy bills. Second, to the attic, the crawl is one of the largest opportunities to save energy in your home. By sealing and insulating your crawl you can prevent cold floors and reduce drafts from below to keep your home comfortable.

Air from the crawlspace enters your home along with everything in it, including odors, mold spores, dust mites, and a bunch of other hazards that could lead to respiratory problems including asthma and allergies. Encapsulation will prevent and kill any mold that has or will form from the moisture that was present in the crawl allowing you and your family to breathe cleaner, more healthy air.

Whether for your health, energy efficiency, or to prolong the life of your HVAC system, there are plenty of reasons to encapsulate your crawlspace the right way!

Crawlspace Sealing Levels

Three levels of encapsulation available to fit your specific crawlspace needs.

Encapsulation Process

Why you might need encapsulation and how the experts at Bradley Mechanical seal a crawlspace

Reasons you might need crawlspace sealing:

• Look for gaps around rim joints and under the still plate
• Along the gap between still plate and the foundation
• Gaps around duct work, wiring holes, plumbing holes
• Wet or damp insulation
• Cold in summer or warm in winter
• Any mold or growth on ducts or wiring in the crawlspace
• Call us today and we will take care of sealing your crawlspace the right way, the first time around.

How to encapsulate the crawlspace properly:

• Inspect the crawl for major issues meaning gaps and holes in foundation.
• Remove all insulation from floors and remove all plastic.
• Level the ground as much as possible and rake out any trash and debris to allow for a smooth crawl space floor.
• Lay down a special vapor barrier. This is thicker than most companies use to ensure it will last.
• Run liner up support columns and tact to walls.
• Then seal liner to columns and walls with waterproof tape. We also seal any liner connections together to make a single sheet.
• Seal all penetrations meaning wiring plumbing and HVAC holes with a 2 part foam.
• Seal foundation vents with foam board and spray foam.
• Then add insulation to exterior walls to help prevent heat loss/gain in winter or summer.
• Seal the insulation to the walls with foam to ensure a tight seal.
• Replace and seal the crawlspace door.
• Add a dehumidifier to control the moisture levels in the crawlspace
• When we are done this is a sealed and clean environment. So clean in fact that we put up “remove your shoes” signs to prevent bringing in dirt to the clean environment.