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For most homes we do not initially recommend an exhaust fan, it is added expense that may be unnecessary. In a very small percentage of homes we find that an exhaust fan is required after installation due to pervasive odors reaching into the home but these cases are very rare and we address them when they occur rather than starting with an item that may not be necessary.
Odors are one of the hardest things to predict or identify causes for. In a small percentage (less than 5%) of homes, we encounter a very strong smell (often described as cat urine) after installation of a vapor barrier. It is impossible to predict which homes this may affect but the smell is caused by microbes and that live in the soil. When the crawlspace is sealed these microbes die and begin to decay under the vapor barrier and in some homes this odor can enter the crawl space. In some cases this odor may be temporary but in others it can be more persistent. The solution is to install a exhaust fan under the vapor barrier to create a negative pressure and pull these odors outside of the home.
Our best practices are that the old vapor barrier is left in place and the new one is placed over it. The old barrier even if it does not cover the entire crawl space serves to provide some additional moisture blocking and also help protect your new vapor barrier from any rocks or debris on your crawl space floor. Additionally an old barrier helps keep the new one from getting dirty during installation.
If you prefer we can remove the old vapor barrier for an additional cost.
Vapor barriers should be at least 6 mil in thickness to effectively cover the area and create a moisture barrier. A 6 mil vapor barrier is the current code requirement in North Carolina.Triangle Crawl Space Solutions uses both a 6 mil material for simple vapor barrier installation and a thicker more durable 12 mil vapor barrier material depending on the budget and needs of the home.
More common that an issue with the thickness of the vapor barrier is making sure that the vapor barrier is properly installed and is covering the entire area under your home. If the vapor barrier doesn't extend all the way to foundation walls or has gaps in the coverage then moisture simply moves around the barrier and impacts the uncovered area.
One of the concerns about installing a sealed vapor barrier or encapsulating a crawl space is what do do to allow access for termite and other pest inspections or treatments. Pest control companies need to be able to both inspect and treat areas under your home so must have clear access to areas where floor joists and wooden sill boards meet the concrete or block structures.
This is the reason that all of our vapor barriers and foamboard insulation panels always stop at least three inches from any wooden structure. This allows pest companies to both inspect and treat any possible problems. In general encapsulating or sealing your crawl space reduces the number of pests (both insect and rodents) under your home by removing moisture and eliminating habitat.
Absolutely! Regular standing water creates the highest risk conditions for a home to develop mold, dry rot or other issues and time is often of the essence.
Sometimes standing water may be simply due to a very heavy rain event like a hurricane or summer storms. It may simply recede on it’s own (often before we can arrive with a sump pump) but regular occurrences of standing water or water that does not go away should be addressed.
Call us for a free estimate and one of our Certified Water Restoration technicians will evaluate and provide options to eliminate standing water in your crawl space.
Solutions may include:
Installation or replacement of a vapor barrier
Installing a dehumidifier to control moisture
Trenching moisture away and installing a sump pump
Encapsulating or sealing the crawl space
Landscaping or other moisture control methods on the exterior of the home
Waterproofing or repairing foundations and access doors
Every crawl space and home is different. The best place to start is a free assessment to determine what your crawl space needs.
or visit us online:
info@trianglecrawlspacesolutions.com
Proudly Serving: Hillsborough, NC, Durham, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, Carrboro, NC, Raleigh, NC, Pittsboro, NC, Wake Forest, NC, Cary, NC and surrounding areas.
@2017 Triangle Crawl Space Solutions
