Crawl Space Encapsulation in California

There are three things that destroy materials in general, and wood in particular: Water, Heat and Ultra-Violet Radiation. Of these, water is the most important.

Dirt crawl spaces are great places to live, thrive and reproduce. If you're a bug or rodent, that is! There is an even temperature, moisture, damp wood and shelter. Spiders, beetles, centipedes, termites, and all kinds of other insects are found in dirt crawl spaces. Animals such as mice (dead and alive) are commonly found in dirt crawl spaces. In some cases, even rats, snakes and small animals have been found. The same can happen in concrete crawl spaces as well!

Mold spores are in the air everywhere. All they need to grow is organic material such as wood, the right temperature range, and moisture. Of these, the only one that can be controlled is moisture.

Dirt crawl spaces have high humidity levels necessary for mold growth. Humidity levels from 50% to 90% are easily found in dirt crawl spaces that have never flooded and problems can be worse in the ones that have.

Mold can grow on dirt, insulation, framing and even under your carpet on the first floor! Mold destroys organic materials as it feeds on them. Mold reproduces by shipping out millions of floating airborne spores, which many people are allergic to - especially young children and the elderly. Spores can be dormant for many years, waiting for the right conditions to grow. Some molds produce mycotoxins, such as the black mold, Stachybotyrs. Many articles can be found on the effects of mold and toxic mold.

Dr. Harriet Burge, an expert in airborne diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health says, "Mold in houses is not a good thing. It could lead to asthma. Houses with mold are damp and have dust mites and other things in them that can cause illness, especially in children".

Don't panic!! There is a solution that will stop your crawl space from being a hospitable environment for mold. Mold will not grow when the humidity levels are reduced below 40%.

Because of the high humidity levels in dirt and concrete crawl spaces, cool surfaces such as the earth at 55 degrees, concrete and metal surfaces, such as your pipes and ducts, will swell with water vapor that condenses on them. This causes rot, smells, rust and is a water source for critters. 

Structural Damage

The CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System completely isolates your home from the earth. This dramatically reduces the humidity level in the air, which will reduce or in most cases, eliminate mold growth, rot and critters from your crawl space and make the whole house healthier!

The CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System can be used with the SaniDry Basement/Crawl Space Air System to complete your moisture protection. Click on the SaniDry Logo for more information on our Basement & Crawl Space Air System.

Here are several pictures of our CleanSpace vapor barrier installations!

(Click on a picture below to enlarge it and observe how beautiful CleanSpace is!)