Crawl Space Terms to Know

Here at Advanced Basement Systems, we believe that our best customer is a confident and educated customer. We know what may be common and everyday language in our industry, may sound foreign to many. So if you are considering repairing your crawl space, here are some important terms to know. 

Encapsulation: This is the most important term when it comes to crawl space repair. Encapsulation is the process of completely sealing off a crawl space from the outside environment. It’s much more than just “laying down plastic” on the floor of the crawl space: it’s more like creating a quarantine of the space! 

High Humidity: An acceptable humidity level in a crawl space is around 51%. When the humidity is high it results in mould and mildew growth (that’s the funky odor you smell!). Humidity can rot wood and even affect the structure of a home.  Additionally, the natural environment of a crawl space is damp, as it is often below grade with dirt floors and porous concrete foundation walls. Encapsulation helps to regulate the humidity in a crawl space. 

Vapour Barrier: The purpose of a vapour barrier is to stop the movement of water or water vapour and is a critical aspect of the crawl space encapsulation process. Even the tiniest of rips, holes or openings between the sheets can render the barrier as useless. The vapour barrier we use is a 20mil polyethylene sheet. What does that mean? It means it’s super thick, durable and strong - 40% more so than the industry standard! It’s called “CleanSpace”, as it also contains an antimicrobial agent which further ensures a healthy crawl space. 

We strive to ensure that all our customers make the best decision possible when it comes to repairing their crawl space. If you live in southwestern Ontario and would like a complimentary inspection and a written estimate, please call us at: 1-866-277-1277 or click here to submit your information to us online.