| The crawl space has an integral role towards a | | | | Radon gas makes its way through the earth, into |
| home's overall value as well as the living space | | | | the crawl space and the home's living space. |
| above. Most homeowners don't think twice about | | | | According to the U.S.E.P.A., radon gas is the |
| their crawl space unless they have to make | | | | number one leading cause of lung cancer in |
| repairs to plumbing, heating ducts or house wiring. | | | | non-smokers. |
| While often thought of as no more than a | | | | Ignoring these various conditions is not |
| storage area, it also has a tremendous impact on | | | | recommended for both long-term health and |
| the overall indoor air quality of the entire home. | | | | energy usage. Fully encapsulating a crawl space - |
| By default, the air quality of a crawl space is | | | | by both sealing and insulating - is a fully efficient |
| typically poor. Mold, mildew, radon gas and poor | | | | measure in addressing such problems. It makes |
| energy efficiency all create several problems. The | | | | sense to maintain and improve the lower level |
| air that circulates within it eventually makes its | | | | area in order to maximize healthy living conditions |
| way up through the living space. Scientific studies | | | | and home resale value. |
| show that up to 50% of living space air originates | | | | While there are several systems for |
| from the lowest level of the home. With | | | | encapsulatiing, a zero perm liner system that also |
| homeowners more concerned about their home's | | | | insulates and reflects heat provides the most |
| indoor air quality, the encapsulating of crawl | | | | benefits. With a proper floor and wall liner, the |
| spaces has become a popular solution for such | | | | area will not only be well insulated, but will seal out |
| problems. | | | | moisture, bug infestation and radon gas. Other |
| A damp crawl space creates a safe harbor for | | | | components to look for in a system include a |
| harmful molds, in addition to dust mites, termites | | | | radon gas-dispersing drain fabric, a radon gas |
| and other bugs that can infest the home. The | | | | ventilation pipe and a ceiling heat shield. |
| presence of excessive moisture will also create a | | | | A complete system with all of the above |
| serious problem with the probability for the | | | | components will allow any soil gases - including |
| wooden structure of a home to deteriorate. | | | | radon gas - that naturally occur under the liner |
| Crawl space vents pose a further problem. While | | | | system, to wick through the drain fabric and |
| believed to be a solution to moisture problems, | | | | escape out through the ventilation pipe. While |
| they unfortunately make the problem worse. As | | | | improved indoor air quality is the primary benefit |
| it turns out, the vents allow cold air and moisture | | | | of a sealed and insulated crawl space, the |
| in, which rises into the living area and therefore | | | | homeowner will also appreciate a bright, clean, and |
| decreases the heating efficiency of the entire | | | | dry storage area; the ridding of musty smells; less |
| home. | | | | energy usage; and tax credits. Contractors |
| Another all-too-common problem associated with | | | | encapsulating crawl spaces will have more to |
| crawl spaces is radon gas. Though it cannot be | | | | offer to their clients when they can assure the |
| seen, smelled or tasted, radon is a radioactive gas | | | | peace of mind with improved indoor air quality. |
| that can contribute to poor health, including cancer. | | | | |