Anchor your home strong into its foundation by calling us for crawl space encapsulation in Charleston, SC, and surrounding areas!

Most Charleston homes have a crawl space that elevates their first floor above sea level, especially in flood zones. Even homes outside these zones have this preferred style for additional storage since only a small percentage of South Carolina residences have basements. However, because crawlspaces aren’t as sturdy as concrete-slabbed basements, consider crawl space encapsulation. With over 30 years of experience, the Anchor Heating & Air team includes top-rated contractors specializing in indoor comfort and house safety. We know what to do if you’re questioning the condition of your crawlspace. 

Signs of a Crawl Space Problem

Charleston sits on a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and inland rivers, contributing to high flood rates. These waters, along with moisture from the soil and air around your home, find their way beneath your house’s structure. Although your crawlspace is there to keep the rest of your home dry, these factors leave your crawl space damp most of the time, leading to other issues. 

The crawl space, like your household structure, comprises wood that becomes soft and starts to rot when wet. Once rot occurs, it jeopardizes the stability of the floors above, especially the area directly above the deteriorated material, causing first-floor floorboards to weaken and sink. Before it gets this bad, look for the following signs you need crawlspace services in Charleston.

• A musty odor originating from fungal growth or mold and mildew accumulating around your property or on your first floor
• Growing gaps in your flooring or soft planks from a moisture issue
• Sweating or foggy windows
• Wet insulation around the crawlspace
• High insect infestations from a damp breeding ground  
• Increasing utility bills from outdoor air entering an unsealed crawl space

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawlspace encapsulation keeps these signs at bay by ensuring a barricade between indoor and outdoor air. This process adds a dense plastic lining around your home’s under-compartment with vapor barriers that seal the ceiling, ground, and walls. 

Why Should You Encapsulate Your Crawl Space?

The intricate process of encapsulation may be something you want to put off. However, these protection barriers save you money in the long run since you don’t have to pay for additional services like fungal removal or extermination when poor crawlspaces lead to the above problems. Below are five benefits of investing in crawl space encapsulation in Charleston, SC and surrounding areas. 

• Quality Air
• Fungal Prevention
• Pest Block
• Energy Efficiency
• Strong Foundation

Quality Air

With the moisture that collects in your crawlspace, it’s understandable humidity accumulates and rises to upper floors. Encapsulating the crawl space ceiling traps the uncomfortable air below your home that would otherwise create stagnant air that harbors pollutants. These pollutants increase allergen levels, contributing to asthma and other respiratory illnesses. 

Learn about other ways to improve indoor air quality

Fungal Prevention

Keeping humidity levels down also prevents moisture buildup that promotes mold and mildew growth. Not only do you not have to worry about fungi in your living quarters,

but since it would be difficult for them to grow on the plastic liner, you don’t have to worry about them growing in your crawl space either. 

Pest Block

Crawlspace encapsulation also creates a physical barrier that insects and rodents cannot pass. Therefore, these critters cannot munch on your structure or nest beneath it, creating an infestation.

Energy Efficiency

About 50% of your household air comes from your crawlspace, causing outdoor air to rival your indoor-controlled climate. The liner keeps your air conditioner running less for cool air during the summer and allows your furnace to work lightly in the winter for warmer temperatures. 

Strong Foundation

By reducing moisture above and within your crawlspace, you don’t have to fear rotting or weakening beams affecting your home’s structural integrity. 

What Happens During Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Once you decide encapsulating your crawl space is best, contact us to closely examine underneath your home and determine the appropriate course of action. We’ll begin by inspecting the area and installing a polyethylene vapor barrier that separates the ground from the crawlspace. 

We also seal vents to keep humid air away, but if inadequate airflow is an issue, we’ll suggest crawl space insulation. If this doesn’t aid with the humidity concern, we’ll also recommend installing a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels low. Finally, our team will clean the area, leaving it better than we found it. 

Let Our Services Drop Anchor In Your Crawlspace!

Even the smallest missed spot during encapsulation jeopardizes your air quality and

household protection, rendering the process inefficient. At Anchor Heating & Air, we use only the highest quality materials and the latest installation methods for accurate crawlspace encapsulation in Charleston, SC. Call our team of professionals at (843) 564-7777 for an estimate today!