How Can I Protect My Crawl Space?

Protecting your crawl space from standing water, general dampness, and all of the co-occurring problems that they bring is fairly simple. First and foremost, you need to cut off as many access points for water as you can. Secondly, you need to find a safe and fast way to get rid of the water which does make its way into your crawl space. 

• Encapsulation 

Covering your crawl space vents, installing insulation, and installing a vapor barrier into your crawl space can do a lot of good for your home as a whole. Known as crawl space encapsulation, this process effectively creates a dry, clean, climate-controlled bubble inside your crawl space by sealing it off from exposure to the outside. Professional encapsulation is quick, cost-effective, and provides excellent value for money. 

When completed correctly, encapsulation can allow you to use your crawl space as a storage area. Of course, you should still store everything in plastic coverings, just to be on the safe side, but this is a definite benefit, outside of waterproofing, that makes encapsulation a valuable process. There is no better way to protect your home. 

• Drainage 

Encapsulation may give you a safe, dry bubble inside your crawl space, but the space between the moisture barrier and your crawl space boundaries is still susceptible to dampness and flooding. This is where drainage options come in handy. Interior drainage systems are good for collecting leaking water and directing it to a sump pump system to be properly removed. 

Choosing the right sump pump can make the difference between standing water in your crawl space and staying dry during even the wildest of weather. Professional companies can help you to find the right model and size of pump for you; installation is straightforward and relatively non-disruptive to your home.