You will likely find different information from various people on what the idea of crawlspace encapsulation is or consists of. You will probably also hear from people who don't quite necessarily truly specialize in crawlspace care, many of whom notice a rising popularity in the industry and decide to add "crawlspaces" to a wide array of other services as a way to capitalize on the industry and make extra money. However, there is a real science to proper crawlspace care that takes a special dedication to understand and implement correctly. You want to find the right person to entrust in such an important service and to do it right. In order to achieve the most effective and efficient results and to ensure that you will experience lasting benefits, there are certain "must do's" that are important to accomplish. 1. Thorough cleanout and prepping of the space - This generally includes removal of all existing insulation and all debris from the crawlspace. Removing the fiberglass insulation is important for many reasons. It becomes affected and damaged from exposure to the conditions over time and typically begins to fall apart, and will ultimately lose it's R-value, becoming useless. In addition to absorbing excessive moisture, it also absorbs and becomes contaminated with dirt, mold, and other contaminants, which contributes to poor air quality. Another problem is that it attracts pests because they like to use this material for nesting. Other debris is necessary to be removed because it too contributes to a negative impact on air quality and also inhibits a thorough installation of the encapsulation system. Some other steps to help prepare for a quality installation can include things like grading the dirt to create as even a surface as possible for the vapor barrier to lay on and make for better sealing. 2. Mold remediation or sanitizing - In most cases, the crawlspace will be affected by mold contamination as a result of the extreme conditions. The crawlspace is the perfect breeding ground for mold because mold thrives in dark, humid environments where there are elevated moisture levels. Mold is an evident indication of ongoing moisture problems, and is linked to health concerns, which is why it is imperative to address. Sanitizing the area can be an important step because the space becomes very succeptible to unhealthy bacteria, viruses, and so on, from excessive moisture and pests and debris and all kinds of other contibutors mixing within the area. 3. Air sealing - The old building notion of leaving open vents in the crawlspace to let the area "breath" had been proven to be inaccurate. It's been discovered that this actually contributes to elevating problems within the area because it in a sense opens the windows for the outside conditions (humidity, cold and hot air, etc) to enter and wreak havoc. Creating a good air seal by perminantly sealing foundation vents and all gaps and penetrations, and anywhere where potential exterior air leaks can occur, helps reduce the outside conditions from entering. Think of it this way: in the summertime and wintertime, we keep the windows and doors closed in the house to keep the extreme hot and cold out so we can keep the inside comfortable and protected. The same should aplly with the crawlspace, and it should be treated the same as the living space because ultimately it greatly impacts what goes on above in the living area. 4. Insulation - Insulating the space is very important to optimizing overall conditions and efficiency..not only within the crawlspace, but within the entire home. The most effective and efficient approach is to insulate the foundation walls with a rigid foam insulation board material. This is proven to be better than using fiberglass under the subfloor for many reasons. One of which is that it puts the thermal boundary at the walls, addressing the problem right at the source. This brings the crawlspace itself into the thermal boundary which helps to keep the space better conditioned, protects all of the components that help run the house (heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical, etc), and allows the crawlspace and living space to work in unison, enhancing energy efficiency and comfort. It also allows the area to be more open and for the wood to stay dry and protected, and makes it easier to spot any occuring problems such as plumbing leaks. Another benefit is that it doesn't provide nesting area for pests. It also remains intact and is moisture and water resistant, unlike fiberglass which becomes instantly damaged when wet, and has fiberglass particles that become loose and airborne and is harmful to breath in. Plus, the rigid foam material doubles as a moisture barrier which helps reduce moisture from entering through the walls. It should be noted that insulating the crawlspace is required by building code, and all ontractors should be following this procedure by rights. 5. Heavy duty vapor barrier - Quality, reinforced, durable vapor barrier materials are specifically manufactured for use in crawlspaces. These types of products are made to last and to perform significantly better than the types of products that can be found in box stores. Many contractors will cut corners and use inexpensive and inferior materials to help them cut down on time, labor, and costs, all while not properly addessing the problems, solving the issues, and making improvements to the environment and conditions. These reinforced liners are also to be installed correctly for optimal performance. They must be overlapped, fastened, sealed, cleaned, taped..Which absolutely is a process and takes a lot of time and attention to detail, but is completely necessary for real quality results. Use of these specialized materials, and thorough installation procedures provide the ideal level of protection and shield against moisture and humidity intrusion. 6. Dehumidifier - A proper crawlspace dehumidifier is the heart of the encapsulation system, and is what keeps the environmental conditions adequately maintained after the space is properly selaed. Industrial sized dehumidifiers are made for properly and efficiently controlling humidity levels within large spaces such as the crawlspace. They are specifically built with components designed for operation in and conditioning of the crawlspace. Smaller, readily available units found in stores are not geared for large spaces, mainly just for use in a single room, and will stuggle and not keep up with handeling the crawlspace. These crawlspace dehumidifiers are energy efficient, and coupled with proper sealing of the space will ensure that conditions remain ideal for protection against excessive moisture, mold, damage to the structure and components within the area, and enhance overall energy efficiency, comfort, and air quality and health within the home.