Sealing A Crawl Space Floor

Below is a straightforward guide to help you understand the do s and don ts of crawl space cleaning so you can get the job done safely.

Sealing a crawl space floor.

With the plastic sheeting in place you can measure the space and cut the insulation to size. At some point cleaning your crawl space will become a must. Insulation also helps to preserve the air quality and reduce energy costs. The traditional mud pad is a poured concrete pad over a roughly graded dirt floor.

This is essentially a concrete barrier meant to help control moisture in the crawl space. Cold air that sweeps through a crawl space meanwhile can lead to cold floors inside the home whether or not the space is wet. Crawl space insulation as a part of overall home air sealing and insulation helps maintain your entire home s energy efficiency without insulation heat and cool air are easily lost through the floor. When we encapsulate crawlspaces we always maintain a continuous point of inspection to satisfy termite regulations.

In this design a concrete pad called a mud pad is poured on the crawl space floor. It also protects pipes better from freeze thaw cycles and requires less insulation. One look at a crawl space may have you wondering why you should bother cleaning it. This step includes sealing all gaps between the crawlspace and the floor of your home.

Encapsulation is the act of sealing up your crawl space the area located directly between your home s floor and the ground with various barriers and insulation. The next step is to seal off all remaining gaps and cracks with spray foam. If designed properly an unvented crawlspace in a house in the eastern united states is drier than a vented crawlspace. This is done to prevent mold problems pest infestations odors and other issues that can brew in these typically damp places.

You can keep the plastic in place by using heavy rocks bricks or metal hooks. Band joists ac drain line runs plumbing penetrations wiring etc. In this energy smart details article senior editor martin holladay explains how to create a sealed crawlspace. Cut the insulation in pieces.

In those days common building practice was to insulate the floor above the crawl space and to leave the crawl space s wall vents open so any moisture buildup would vent to the outside a. You can cut the plastic sheeting if you like but it is not necessary. Even in the most arid areas of the country mother earth constantly releases water vapor which likes to seep into your crawlspace through. A crawl space under a house helps protect against certain pests but a crawl space with abundant moisture can invite problems including mold wood rot and vermin.

Make sure the entire floor of the crawlspace is covered. A beginner s guide to cleaning your crawl space.