For many crawl spaces, it is a frequent occurrence to have moisture seep up from the soil and collect into puddles. While our crawl space is supposed to be a buffer zone between moisture and your home’s living spaces, these occurrences of moisture seepage can lead to water damage to your house structure and create an environment that’s perfect for mold and pests.
Fortunately, crawl space encapsulation can help keep that moisture from affecting the rest of your crawl space and home. With the installation of a vapor barrier, moisture can’t reach the rest of your crawl space and affect the humidity of the air. But there are other measures which can also be put in place to further help keep that moisture out of your crawl space, such as sump pumps, dehumidifiers, and waterproofing measures. But how long does a crawl space encapsulation last? How long can you enjoy its protection?
With a properly encapsulated crawl space, you can expect your crawl space encapsulation to last as long or longer than 20 years, so long as nothing disastrous like a flood occurs. It’s important to see if your crawl space encapsulation will be backed by a warranty. Many crawl space encapsulations are covered for 15 to 20 years by warranty, but there are also ones with lifetime warranties or life of structure warranties.
How Long Does It Take to Fix a Crawl Space?
When you have a case of a wet crawl space, it can take anywhere from eight to 10 hours to dry when using a dehumidifier. Once dry, if you’re interested in having your crawl space encapsulated, the process will usually take on average one to two days depending on the size of your crawl space.
Be sure to consult with a professional first to get a more accurate estimate of how long it will take to complete your crawl space’s encapsulation process. Due to the uniqueness of every home, no two crawl space encapsulation projects are the same, so there’s no sure answer until you have your crawl space inspected.
How Can I Prepare for a Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Whether you’re having a professional encapsulate your crawl space, or you’re trying to do it yourself, here are some helpful tips on how to ensure a successful encapsulation—one that will be effective and for a long time!
- Make Sure There’s Adequate Lighting in Your Crawl Space
- Clear the Ground of Any Sharp Objects and Debris
- Remove and Dry Up All Standing Water
- Remove Any Stored Belongings You May Have
- Check for Any Compromised Structures and Surfaces Such as From Mold and Wood Rot
- Check for Open Spaces That Will Require Sealing
By following these steps, you’ll be able to help make sure that the crawl space encapsulation process goes smoothly and lasts for many years. If you’re getting help for your crawl space, a professional will also help inspect for any problems before beginning work, but it always helps to be prepared!
Protect Your Crawl Space with the Long-Lasting Solutions of ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing
From our 20-mil thick liners to our Channel ’58 drainage channels, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has the crawl space encapsulation and waterproofing solutions to keep your crawl space free of moisture, making it a dry, healthy, and useable space once again! With over 60 years of experience in the industry and our quality products, you can depend on us to provide your crawl space with a personalized solution that works and lasts. Give us a call today to schedule for a free crawl space inspection and to receive a detailed estimate from one of our experts!