Crawl Space Repair & Encapsulation

Cat Pee Smell In The Crawl Space

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 08:07:00 -0500

The “nina” of crawl spaces makes videos claiming string reinforced vapor barriers are “glued” together and the polyester string used as the reinforcement is the cause of the cat pee smell. This article will use science to show you the actual cause and solution of the cat pee smell while exposing this “nina’s” claims for what they are, ignorant.

Crawl Space Insulation

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:50:00 -0500

The hot topic for the fall season is, what is the proper way to insulate a crawlspace? There are really two ways to get the most bang for your buck: one is adding insulation in the crawl space in the proper place, in the proper way and the other is to close the foundation vents that let in the outside air.

Crawl Space Moisture, Condensation and Humidity Problems

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:41:00 -0500

Years ago before nearly every home had air conditioning, homeowners opened the windows for fresh air which reduced these symptoms. A home is designed to "breathe" moving air toward the roof and out the roof vents.

South East Virginia

supplies@crawlspacerepair.com — Wed, 03 May 2017 14:56:00 -0500

Author: Blake Jenkins A Snapshot of Crawl Space Repair in South-Eastern Virginia Virginia consists of a diverse landscape from the beaches to the farm lands to the mountains. In Hampton Roads, Virginia though, we enjoy a flat topography with a high water table and rare freezing conditions so most homes are built on crawl spaces.

Insulation in an Open Crawl Space

supplies@crawlspacerepair.com — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:31:00 -0500

There are three major environment situations that call for insulation in a crawl space. The first is your standard dirt floor (may have some plastic laid on the floor) crawl with open vents which is referred to as an open crawl space.

What is a Conditioned Crawl Space®

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:10:00 -0500

This design is referred to by many different names; encapsulated crawl space, closed crawl space, conditioned crawl space®. All of these names refer to essentially the same thing but may have a different process. The vents are permanently closed. The crawl space is completely sealed off...

Spray Foam Insulation in a Crawl Space

Mon, 04 May 2015 12:35:00 -0500

Spray foam may be a good alternative for the parts of your home that are above grade, but it is not a superior product for a crawl space regardless of the salesman’s insistence that it is an “air barrier” or that it is a “moisture barrier”.

Conditioned Crawl Space®, Cooling & Your Money

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 20:18:00 -0500

When our heating and cooling expenses get our of control we generally turn to insulation to give us some relief. This can be the right thing to do in many cases, but today I want to talk about preventing the number one culprit for high cooling costs.

I was told the other guys will cut the barrier to fit my crawl space, do you do that?

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:54:00 -0600

We heard about this some time ago, and the short answer is NO. Here’s why, every crawl space is different and takes a slightly different approach to do it right. The other guys would have you believe that you must take our product into the crawl space as a full roll and somehow man handle it to fit your crawl space.

Crawl Space Foundation Vents, Can You Really Seal Them Up?

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 15:46:00 -0500

Homes built on a crawl space needs ventilation! Right? Right! Notice I did not say “Needs vents”, that’s because a crawl space does not need the foundation vents (that go outdoors) if, and I quote:

IRC 2006 and 2009, Section 408.3

Unvented crawlspace Ventilation openings in under-floor spaces specified in Sections R408.1 and R408.2 shall not be required where:

Continuously operated mechanical exhaust ventilation at a rate equal to 1.0 cfm (0.47 L/s) for each 50 ft² (4.7 m²) of crawlspace floor area, including an air pathway to the common area, and perimeter walls insulated in accordance with Section N1102.2.8.
Conditioned air supply sized to deliver at a rate equal to 1.0 cfm (0.47 L/s) for each 50 ft² (4.7 m²) of under-floor area including a return air pathway to the common area, and perimeter walls insulated in accordance with Section N1102.2.8.

IECC 2006, Section 402.2.8 and IECC 2009, Section 402.2.9

Crawlspace walls As an alternative to insulating floors over crawlspaces, crawlspace walls shall be permitted to be insulated when the crawlspace is not vented to the outside [excerpt].

Source- https://www.energycodes.gov

So, the answer to the question “Can I really seal them up?” is, YES you can seal them up and you should seal them up once you have selected and are ready to install a continuous crawl space moisture vapor barrier. If you want to properly encapsulate the crawlspace, you have to seal them up.

The advantages of sealing the foundation vents goes well past the moisture control aspects. Every winter, that cold kitchen or bathroom floor reminds us that we need to get some insulation in the crawl space. Well, before you can warm anything you have to keep the cold away. Closing the foundation vents will make your heating bill drop, warm your floors, and keep the water pipes from freezing. DO NOT CLOSE YOUR VENTS IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEAL OUT THE MOISTURE FROM THE EARTH. One thing to know about this subject, and any subject regarding crawl spaces, if you try to fix one problem without addressing the other “known” problems there is a great chance you will worsen your crawl space headache. Educate yourself first!