Saving money and labor is always a good thing - especially when it comes to treating your damp, nasty, mildewed crawlspace. Here’s one of the best ways to tackle this project yourself and save plenty!
Is your crawlspace dank and mildewed? Does the mere thought of it give you the creeps? If so, it’s not only hideous it’s unsafe - and it’s costing you money! You need a nice, dry crawlspace that’s both energy efficient and safe. A properly sealed crawlspace can be 15 to 18 percent more efficient than a non-sealed one. And let’s face it, with rising energy costs and heightened environmental considerations, homeowners can use all the savings they can get.
Faced with a damp, mildewy crawlspace, your natural response is probably something akin to “Ick!” But your next reaction ought to be, “How do I get this fixed?”
You could call someone to do it for you but that would cost a bundle. Why not fix it yourself? With clearly defined instructions to follow, it’s simple - and you could save up to 80 percent of the cost. Kind of a no brainer, huh?
Now that you’ve decided to do the work yourself, you need to determine how best to go about it which materials to use which method of applying them and how to finish the project.
Materials - The ideal crawlspace vapor-barrier liner is a 20-mil fire-resistant material treated with an antimicrobial (which may be used in a closed crawlspace or simply as a vapor barrier). It would also be lightweight and durable (roughly half the weight and twice the strength of ordinary liners). Doesn’t exist, you say? Guess again.
Application - Staples, teensy little nails and tack strips are the norm; plus, they’ve got another thing in common: they all punch itty-bitty holes in the liner and doesn’t that defeat the purpose of installing a vapor barrier in your crawlspace? You need an adhesive that will bond the liner to any surface you have in there: wood metal or concrete - and which will also act as a sealant. Double duty - we like that. Plus, look for a water-based adhesive (instead of a solvent-based one) that won’t cause a buildup of volatile fumes while you’re working.
This patent-pending application system passes the already-strict 2006 crawlspace codes; it eliminates the need to wrestle with cumbersome equipment in your crawlspace. Simply apply the adhesive, put down the liner, install pumps and a dehumidifier and you’re done.
Finishing the Project - That’s it. Honest. And don’t you feel good? You’ve tackled a do-it-yourself home-repair project and saved yourself plenty of green in the process. Traditional crawlspace sealing and treatment procedures can cost anywhere from $3 to $4 per square foot, this simple application system costs as little as a dollar per square foot - including the cost of fabric, adhesive, dehumidifier, pumps, masks and Tyvek suits!
With stringent international crawlspace codes already enacted, you’d be wise to get your materials from a supplier who’s well informed about compliance issues. That becomes even more important now, with additional code changes now being implemented.
Get your do-it-yourself kit from a reputable dealer who specializes in doing crawlspace encapsulations someone with satisfied customers in virtually every state in the United States and all across Canada.
Look for someone who understands that homeowners have better things to do than fight with bulky rolls of heavy material someone who ships user-friendly 50-foot rolls of liner material (weighing just 15 to 18 pounds) cut to the exact width you need and who provides an illustrated step-by-step instruction manual. You need the do-it-yourself pros at YourCrawlspace.com. Visit them online at www.YourCrawlspace.com to make your nastiest crawlspace headaches go away.