Install Tips & Information

A Closer Look at the Encapsulation Material

SilverBack® – This is the vapor barrier that will seal out the dirt, odor & moisture
Foundation Seal Tape™ – This tape is used on the foundation wall to secure the SilverBack®. The walls have to be dry and clean in order for this product to work properly.
Waterproof Seam Tape™ – This tape is used to seal the seams in the SilverBack®.
Foundation Pins™ – This is the white plastic fastening pins used to hold the SilverBack® in place permanently
Drain Tile – This is the tube (tile) that directs water to the sump basin. It is installed on the inside of the crawlspace and is 4" in diameter and flexible.
Sump pump – This is the pump that removes water from the crawl space and is installed inside the sump basin
Sump basin – This is a basin (or tub) that captures the water from the drain tile as well as water standing in the crawl space.
Drainage stone – This is pea stone (or other small rock without sharp edges) used to filter the dirt out of the water before it reaches the sump basin. Use drainage stone around the sump basin and around the drain tile.

Crawl Space Inspection

Crawl Space Access- The access to the crawl space will determine a few things-

Comfort in getting in and out (which you will be doing a lot of during the repair process)
Ease or difficulty in getting the material into the crawl space
IF outside, the amount of dirt/mud that will end up on top of the SilverBack® after the install
IF inside, the amount of dirt/mud that will end up in your home if not properly protected

Head Height

Obviously this is an important factor in the ease of the job
If the height is less that 18" your job will be extremely difficult if not impossible
Beware of heat ducts, they have sharp edges
The lower the head height the more physically demanding the job will be

Helth & Safety Precautions

Wear a good quality respirator- this will be uncomfortable but will protect your lungs from dust, mold spores, fiberglass, and bacterial in the air
Do not work in standing water- It could be contaminated and make you sick or it could be an electrical shock hazard
Be cautious not to over heat if installing in the summer – Drink lots of water
Keep a look out for electrical wires lying on the ground – If they are bare then you may want to call an electrician

Foundation Conditions

Check the foundation to see if there is a white powder on it – this indicates water problems. The white powder is efflorescence NOT Mold.
Check for large cracks or broken areas, you will need to fix this before you start the crawl space encapsulation®
Check the foundation for water, wet areas or condensation;you may have to drill holes to release any water. If this is present you will need to install a drain system

Supports and Obstructions

Take a look around the crawl space for water tanks, a furnace or other objects that need to be worked around. If you take pictures of these we can help guide you with how to handle them
Supports that hold up your home will need to be worked around as well

Insulation

Wet crawl space insulation must come out, this is the most common reason fiberglass insulation falls from the ceiling
If you have an odor problem then the existing insulation must come out in order to fully extinguish the problem
New insulation at the rim (or band) joist will help keep your heating bills down as well as insure you have evicted any rodents living there
Depending on your location and amount of foundation wall above grade you may want to install rigid insulation on the foundation walls
Check your local energy or building code for the most accurate information on insulating a crawl space in your state

Foundation Vents

To completely control the moisture in the crawl space the vents MUST be closed permanently
An 8" x 16" concrete block will fit nicely into the vent cavity. Use a concrete caulk to seal the edges of the block.
If that is not an option, you can use rigid foam insulation to seal the vent from the inside. CAUTION- Mice and other rodents can chew through the foam insulation so only use this option of all else fails

Water Control

Have you ever had water in your crawl space?

Unless you look in your crawl space at least twice a week, every week you cannot be accurate in answering this questing. It is safer, easier and cheaper to add a drain system BEFORE the encapsulation. You don’t want to find out there is a problem once you have a swimming pool under all of your hard work

Crawl Space Measurements

Take accurate measurements, this will save you a monetary heartache later
You will need the length of ALL the walls, no not estimate
You will need the height of all the walls or the height of the tallest wall
You will need to know how many supports there are and how far from the walls
You will need to know how many foundation vents you have

Tools

Respirator
Crawl Space knife with many blades (10-25 on average)
Lights – 250 watt works well. 500 watt are very hot and can melt the SilverBack®
Extension cords
7/16 socket for sump basin lid
Hammer drill for the Foundation Pins- not a drill with a hammer feature, this is important so you do not damage your foundation and/or work harder than you need to. Other companies say that mechanical fasteners are not needed – This information is WRONG. Every professional company uses a mechanical fastener, if this step could be skipped we would skip it ourselves
Small shovels
Small pick- for digging hard earth
Reciprocating saw- cut PVC for sump and cutting roots
Hammer – to tap in Foundation Pins™
VC glue- Plumbing sump pump Not CPVC glue they are different, make sure you check
Tape Measure
Small hand brooms – prepping walls for Foundation Seal Tape™ and clean up
Wire hangers or zip ties for cables or phone lines that hang down or touch the ground
Flashlight
Garbage Bags

Conclusion

Most jobs for a beginner will take about 2 – 3 days to complete depending on how many people are helping. We also are able to assist you if you are located outside our service area, please contact us to explore the options 864-223-7800.