My contractors I used was like we don't remove mold but we do recommend you get a mold remediator out there to remove the mold and to get electrician, plumber and HVAC out to take care of their parts and on top of all that get somebody out there to clean out the crawl space. Oh and don't forget the we're not a electrician we don't wire in the outlets you need outlets for your dehumidifier and sump pump. Which I already knew. But hey I rather them stick to what they do best so at least they were honest. Although they didn't ventilate the crawl space it is completely air sealed and now we're having a soil gas issue -_- . But this video was very helpful.
Thoroughly enjoyed! Was great how you organized and explained everything so well 👍 It's definitely got me wanting to call you guys about my own crawlspace!!! Maybe I'll give you a ring on Monday? I'm about 30 minutes from Knoxville and would love to get your professional thoughts 😃
Ok, in Washington State, just bought a 2200 sqft manufactured home, get some standing water in crawlspace in wet time of year obviously due to pass through and under concrete block skirt. There is a vapor barrier in crawlspace and no outside drainage at all, not even downspouts. I have watched virtually every Michael Church video and have purchased the AprilAire E100 humidifier, condensate pump, plus humidity and moisture meters, and NU-Calgon foam. This current video is the best! Clarity and honesty by businesses like Crawlspace Ninja needs to be celebrated and supported! I’m having fiberglass insulation and belly wrap removed first, then dehumidifying to get wood moisture down, then mold treatment and then encapsulation inside and exterior curtain drain and downspout drain systems. My electrician just left and we have a plan to have dedicated lines for lights every 10 ft plus outlets. Finally, my question is what foam (closed or open cell) should be used for the “air seal” of small holes in subfloor and rim joints! Thank you!
Thank you so much. I am so happy we have been able to help in a small way. We only use closed cell, not that open is bad but closed-cell foam tends to be a higher R-value per inch and is vapor impermeable.
What type of insulation do I need to put back in crawl space under mobile home?? Hey I just came across your channel yesterday and I have been binge watching. I'm right in the middle of tearing down the underbelly and insulation. I heard you mention in one of your videos that mold does grow on the paper of the insulation. I live in FL and really would appreciate your expertise on what type of insulation. Thank You.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. The few videos I have viewed have been helpful in deciding what's needed for prepping my crawl space. Do you know of anyone in the Tulsa,OK area that does what you do? Thanks again, Andrew
Thank you so much, Emily. Crawl Space Ninja is growing all the time. Hopefully, we'll be in your neck of the woods in the near future. Thanks for watching and have a happy & blessed day.
RedPoppyArtHouse, thanks for watching. With the right encapsulation solution, your crawl space would be protected and you could enjoy living by the creek. Let us know if we can answer any questions for you. Have a happy and blessed weekend.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja I actually was able to recognize some proper methods of encapsulating upon inspection, thanks to your well made vids I knew a little of what to look for thanks for sharing your insights.. Have a good weekend yourself!
My crawlspace has ICF foundation walls. Should the entire wall be covered with plastic for encapsulation? Also what is the best method of attaching the plastic to the foam walls of the ICF (tape, fasteners)? Located in southwest VA. Thanks!
So yes, For a full encapsulation the walls, floors, and pillars should be covered with the Vapor Barrier. The best method for long term security is using a fastening tool. We can help provide you all the materials! Contact us at Diy@crawlspaceninja.com
Subscribed after seeing your second video. Question: California home my crawlspace it’s approximately 24 inches. My Heater is in the house in A closet which is Vented down into the crawlspace just like the entire crawlspace is open vented. If I enclose my crawlspace, do I also then need to enclose the vent from the crawlspace up into the bottom of the heater? We are very much interested in accomplishing this ourselves so any information provided would be great. We will also be purchasing everything from your DIY store.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja I would like to see a Crawl Space Ninja in Ozark, Missouri (Springfield, Mo area). Hopefully, in the near future that will happen. We bought some 12 mil from you and tape. We are getting solid wood floors installed and the manufacturer recommend a good vapor barrier. Luckily, our crawl space is doing ok (no water) and just a fresh vapor barrier is needed at this time. Thanks for your channel and content. It is helping us understand our crawl space. This is the first home we have owned with a crawl space, so it is all new to us.
Awesome channel. I get orange sludge growing between the wall and the lip of my drainage system. I was told it is a bacteria that feeds on the iron in the water. The guy who installed my system recommended using Iron Out to break up the sludge but it keeps growing back the plugging up the channel causing water to overflow into the crawl space. What is the cause of this and why is the orange stuff only on one area?
How do you address property that is required to have vents for potential flood water? The vents that open during flood do not provide an airtight seal for being able to run a dehumidifier.
Great info: Thank you! What about crawl spaces that have been capped with cement but are ventilated? Still need to lay down plastic - or can a liquid sealer be applied? Yes, expect to apply foam to interior foundation walls and block/seal vents plus add dehumidifier. South New Jersey with sandy soil. OK?
As the Annual Builders Practice Survey from Home Innovation Research Labs shows, more builders are putting down their staplers and picking up rollers and sprayers in favor of liquid-applied air and moisture barriers. A single monolithic coating that seals a home quickly without fasteners is the most obvious benefit: it directly bonds to the exterior wall sheathing.
Y'all don't service my area so I am having to go with a different contractor. I have had a couple of bids and all are 80k-100k. 1800sqft and 2000sqft crawlspaces 2 feet tall. Flooding/drainage problems, jacks and beams, leveling, full encapsulation, 2-3 sump pumps. Does that sound reasonable? Its a 5300 sqft house on flat land.
Do you have major foundation issues. Installing a lot of jacks/i-beams? That can get costly but honestly that seems pretty high. Where are you located?
@@CrawlSpaceNinja I am in Bentonville, Arkansas. And yeah a lot of jacks/beams. I think 250ft of beam, and like 30 jacks or something. The foundation itself I think is solid, but the wood itself has been weakened due to moisture and so the floors and walls are under a lot of dipping and stress. Sill plates rotted in one section too.
The crawlspace takes on a lot of water. So they said they are going to get drainage in place to get rid of it, lift floors and what not back into place, then encapsulate it all. 25 year warranty on all of it, including the jack lifts since I'd do the whole package which should mean the jacks wont budge.
@@stevenohnsat7535 Thanks for sharing. I guess that could be a good number but without seeing it I am not sure. We had a couple in Miami ask us to drive and fix their crawl space because a contractor jacked it up. Just be careful who you hire and check their reviews, call past customers.
i insulated My crawlspace's walls with rigid foam boards, then cover them with bubble wrap. Then the sub floor's ceiling covered with bubble wraps also (already have existing insulation), and the floor is covered with 6-mil plastic sheeting. However, crawlspace has 4 vent holes, can I cover the vents now?
I am doing my own French drain and encapsulation with products I bought from CSN. But in illinois, with colder winters, would it still be good to just insulate the crawl space walls and not the subfloor, or should I insulate both?thanks in advance
I am not sure if there is a crawl space repair school. We offer training as part of our franchise onboarding process but it doesn't sound like that would be a good fit for you. franchise.crawlspaceninja.com
NW Ohio- Our field stone foundation walls were spray insulated by previous owner, no vapor barrier but vents were all sealed, we are currently excavating out mold on the dirt (no standing water but LOTS of ground moisture) plan is: dehumidifier, vent fan, and vapor barrier... are we missing anything?
How I wish you fellas were West Coast too. We have a coupla "foundation repair" companies here in Oregon, but nothing close to how extensive your services are. Btw, have you ever suspected Home/County Inspector fraud?
Why don't contractors and code require use of pressure treated lumber when framing on crawl space? At least that would prevent insect/termite infestation
I have been asking the same thing for years. The only piece of pressure treated wood is the sill plate. If the entire crawl space was built of pressure treated wood there may be less contractors like me around. Thanks for watching.
@@CrawlSpaceNinjaI am considering purchasing a new build on sealed crawlspace. Crawlspace walls are superior walls and the space is high and dry. 1. If I see a few leaves under the underlayment is that a concern? (Organic material) 2. Will the fact that home sits solid on this crawlspace unventilated ensure (for most conditions) that the pex water supply will not freeze? 3. The HVAC air handler is located in crawlspace as well. The returns in the home don't have filters so I suspect the return filter is at the connection with air handler. If I place filters under the return grates in the home will that be sufficient to limit changing the filter at the air handler to once or twice a year? Thanks
I have a 875 sq home in Arkansas with about a 36 inch high plus crawl space. Home is about 50 years old and has just a very little amount of mold in one spot. Bathroom leak area. Could I use a product like Red guard or some other sealant to seal the particle board between the floor joists to help eliminate moisture from entering the floors? Could I seal and then use the honeycomb plastic on particle board and seal corners with foam from spray can. I would also vapor barrier the walls floor and pillars.
We don't recommend using a wood sealer on the subfloor or joists until after the wood has been completely dried out and the mold has been remediated. Here is a video we did on wood sealers: th-cam.com/video/-Wpd4rPvjZk/w-d-xo.html We also do not recommend using vapor barrier on your floor joists: th-cam.com/video/80OSZlIGwIY/w-d-xo.html If you are encapsulating the crawl space dirt floor, walls, and pillars, and controlling humidity, you should be okay.
As part of overall home air sealing and insulation, crawl space insulation contributes to energy efficiency. Heat and cool air are easily lost through the floor without insulation. Aside from preserving air quality, insulation also reduces energy consumption.
Hi, I have a crawl space that is encapsulated but it still have the insulation between the studs. And I was told that the insulation needed to be removed to prevent moisture damage. What do you recommend? Please let me know. Thanks
What would you do with having a false wall in a crawlspace. I have encapsulated with a dehumidifier and vent fan. All vents sealed with the band joist sealed with 2 inch foam. Im still confused with my most major air gap. House is built on block, but, my exterior is red brick one foot higher than the block. Essentially brick veneer with a 2 inch gap between the block and brick. Thats a big air gap. I can only assume its gotta be closed off at or near the top of the band joist. I cannot imagine the brick js just freestanding but when i sealed my vents from the outside and from inside of the crawlspace i noticed there is a gap. When i was sealing my bandjoist with foam block i noticed it as well at the top of the brick. I live in crossville,tn and do t see anything in the code about sealing the top between the block and brick. I have my vapor barrier 3 inches from the top of the brick per code. Ideas?
I would love to encapsulate my crawlspace, BUT who has 14k just sitting around to spend on something that no one sees or is not covered by homeowners insurance. The financing options wont even cover the entire $14k. Maybe $5k, which the leftover has to be covered by the owner. My homeowners insurance agent told me, every house with a crawlspace has mold, it's not black mold, so it's not covered.
After I got 2 different estimates for my crawlspace. Which were from 10k-14k. I ended up just getting an electrician to install a $300 dehumidifier from Lowe's. They also blocked my vents with foam insulation. It's pretty dry under there. I've had it for a year, but always worry I'm just prolonging the inevitable. I'm really just waiting for the interest rates to come down so I can refinance or take a home equity line and I'll replace my heat pump-9k, and encapsulation-10k-14k. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. Is the Crawlspace Ninja affiliate in Greensboro Nc any good? Tarheel? Carolina Basement? Bioclean?
Would brick veneer on the outside of the block foundation be a thermal barrier. You essentially have 2 walls. 14 inches thick. This is what i have and in my crawspace the interior of the block is never cold or hot
@@CrawlSpaceNinja thank you. This reply helped me decide. I'll run 1 inch foam panel covered in 12 mil vapor barrier 3 inch a from the top. I currently have all ventssealed off, doors sealed, floor registers sealed, all electrical and plumbing sealed and all rim joist sealed. Wood is at a 12 on my moisture meter and I have used rmr 114 and 86. I had little mold. My ground is cleaned of all debris and leveled. I am currently running a 540 cfm exhaust fan thru a vent and a 140 pint generic crawlspace dehumidifier connected to a little giant condensate pump with high water alarm/shut off. I plan to buy an Aprylair from your site AFTER I'm dry and space finished off. I consider my Chinese dehumidifier my sacrificial lamb. I started 2 weeks ago doing what I can after work. I exclusively watch your videos and take your advice. I'll let everything run a few weeks longer then start the encapsulation.
Unfortunately, without a thorough inspection, we can't really give an accurate or truthful answer. We don't want to tell you something that may harm you or your home. There are several factors that need to be considered for this situation, including: crawl space height, water table, codes for the region you live in. Sorry we couldn't be more helpful.
I just want to say thank you, for sharing your knowledge! I recently inherited my parents home. It was closed up from July 2020 until May 2021. The drain in front of garage would always backup and flood into the garage, billiard room, and other lower levels. As a person with asthma; as soon as I go into the house my breathing is difficult. My crawl space smells of mold. With your videos, I have put a dehumidifier in the area, and a air purifier. The house has a Aprilair model 224 furnace. Do you know anything about this unit? Do you recommend any company here in Columbus, Ohio.
@@MissCookie23 Hi Robin, we do not have any experience with that model of Aprilaire. However, since it is an Aprilaire, you can use their contractor lookup to find a company in your area to help you with it! www.aprilaire.com/find-a-pro
As far as insulation, how "complete" should the insulation cover the crawl space? I currently have a Crawlspace Ninja team encapsulating our crawlspace, and they're leaving an 8-12 inch gap at the top of the crawlspace, more or less where it meets the floor joists. This is around the entire perimeter of the space. Is this appropriate? Doesn't that leave the crawlspace "less encapsulated? I talked to the team leader about it, and got something to the effect of "building codes say we can't extend to the top". But he also said the code was 3 inches and, as I said, there's places where it's easy 12 inch gaps. Anyway, the team's not finished yet, and I'm trying to educate myself for I call the office and maybe/maybe not get an explanation that maybe/maybe not makes a bit of sense. Any insights here would be appreciated.
My crawl space is encapsulated with spray foam from the top of the walls down to the plastic on the floors. I would like to redo the plastic on the floors can I lay a new 12 mil plastic over the existing and tape?
The only time we recommend leaving the old vapor barrier in place is if it is covered with rock or it is still very clean with no debris on top of or underneath. Sometimes removing the old vapor barrier just isn't an option. The concern with leaving the old vapor barrier, however, is odors if there are any organic materials left behind, or if water happens to get between the layers and is unable to escape. Hope this helps!
YES you can just install the dehu, close/seal vents and install a vent fan, or just install the VB on the ground making sure to attach it to the walls though, even if it is at the bottom of the walls, the VB is HIGHLY recommended to prevent A LOT of the humidity coming through the ground- which humidity originates- and through the walls.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja awesome! Where would I run the condensate from the dehu? I scored a brand new Santa Fe 90 dehu for $750 and I’m hoping to say some money!
I had my crawl space contractor tell me that they could simply cover mold and it would go dormant. That told me that they were not qualified to do the work.
Ok, so what if you do nothing in the crawl space? If the vents are open in the spring/summer/fall, then flowing air carries humidity in, then out. In winter, the humidity is low outside, so closing the vents helps to have warmer floors. I am not nixing what you're saying about crawl spaces, I just want to ask you to tell how&why the code for foundations includes PUTTING VENTS IN; were the code people UN-informed about what's happening under the house?
I guess you missed the whole point about mold issues from wetness caused by condensation in ventilated crawl spaces. Code people only follow the code that requires the CS to be insulated, builders typically do things the cheapest way.. hence crawl spaces were mostly installed vented.
Hi AlorAir Solutions. Feel free to reach out to our Marketing Manager at mikew@crawlspaceninja.com so we can learn some more information. Have a happy and blessed day.
Encapsulating your crawl space is the first and most obvious way of preventing snakes from entering it. You can use a vapor barrier liner to reduce humidity and prevent leaks in your crawl space while also creating a physical barrier between your foundation and pests.
They are doing a 38 mil I think with the felt backing on the bottom aprilaire dehumidifier running power trench sump pump I think he said eight hole pipe idk what pipe for sure but I didn’t want to get dirty lol it will be nice having less bugs and cold air coming in from the floor
Check out the description for all the timestamps if you'd like to skip around to different sections of the video! Thank you for your support. :)
Hi, Michael. Great video.Do you have a person in Jackson TN?
watching your videos like this is my job. Crawl Space Ninja Army, you are a Crawl Space legend
My contractors I used was like we don't remove mold but we do recommend you get a mold remediator out there to remove the mold and to get electrician, plumber and HVAC out to take care of their parts and on top of all that get somebody out there to clean out the crawl space. Oh and don't forget the we're not a electrician we don't wire in the outlets you need outlets for your dehumidifier and sump pump. Which I already knew. But hey I rather them stick to what they do best so at least they were honest. Although they didn't ventilate the crawl space it is completely air sealed and now we're having a soil gas issue -_- . But this video was very helpful.
All about moisture control. Good stuff, going to enjoy listening to this on my way home
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Oh wizard of crawlspaces ❤
You are very welcome so glad I could help. Thanks for watching.
Thoroughly enjoyed! Was great how you organized and explained everything so well 👍 It's definitely got me wanting to call you guys about my own crawlspace!!! Maybe I'll give you a ring on Monday? I'm about 30 minutes from Knoxville and would love to get your professional thoughts 😃
Ok, in Washington State, just bought a 2200 sqft manufactured home, get some standing water in crawlspace in wet time of year obviously due to pass through and under concrete block skirt. There is a vapor barrier in crawlspace and no outside drainage at all, not even downspouts. I have watched virtually every Michael Church video and have purchased the AprilAire E100 humidifier, condensate pump, plus humidity and moisture meters, and NU-Calgon foam. This current video is the best! Clarity and honesty by businesses like Crawlspace Ninja needs to be celebrated and supported! I’m having fiberglass insulation and belly wrap removed first, then dehumidifying to get wood moisture down, then mold treatment and then encapsulation inside and exterior curtain drain and downspout drain systems. My electrician just left and we have a plan to have dedicated lines for lights every 10 ft plus outlets. Finally, my question is what foam (closed or open cell) should be used for the “air seal” of small holes in subfloor and rim joints! Thank you!
Thank you so much. I am so happy we have been able to help in a small way. We only use closed cell, not that open is bad but closed-cell foam tends to be a higher R-value per inch and is vapor impermeable.
Thank you for educating me prior to having an inspection by a PE and mold inspector. Now I can have an intelligent conversation with them.
What type of insulation do I need to put back in crawl space under mobile home?? Hey I just came across your channel yesterday and I have been binge watching. I'm right in the middle of tearing down the underbelly and insulation. I heard you mention in one of your videos that mold does grow on the paper of the insulation. I live in FL and really would appreciate your expertise on what type of insulation. Thank You.
Do you have a video on materials to use for air sealing and insulating the exterior wall?
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. The few videos I have viewed have been helpful in deciding what's needed for prepping my crawl space. Do you know of anyone in the Tulsa,OK area that does what you do?
Thanks again,
Andrew
Thank you so much, I am sorry we don't have anyone to recommend in your area.
Wish you were in my area. Great videos!
Wish you guys were in KCMO - looks like you do an AMAZING job!
Thank you so much, Emily. Crawl Space Ninja is growing all the time. Hopefully, we'll be in your neck of the woods in the near future. Thanks for watching and have a happy & blessed day.
looking to buy a house near a creek that I'm sure has humidity issues, thanks for great info. although make me want to buy elsewhere thats more dry.
RedPoppyArtHouse, thanks for watching. With the right encapsulation solution, your crawl space would be protected and you could enjoy living by the creek. Let us know if we can answer any questions for you. Have a happy and blessed weekend.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja I actually was able to recognize some proper methods of encapsulating upon inspection, thanks to your well made vids I knew a little of what to look for thanks for sharing your insights.. Have a good weekend yourself!
My crawlspace has ICF foundation walls. Should the entire wall be covered with plastic for encapsulation? Also what is the best method of attaching the plastic to the foam walls of the ICF (tape, fasteners)? Located in southwest VA. Thanks!
So yes, For a full encapsulation the walls, floors, and pillars should be covered with the Vapor Barrier. The best method for long term security is using a fastening tool. We can help provide you all the materials! Contact us at Diy@crawlspaceninja.com
Subscribed after seeing your second video.
Question: California home my crawlspace it’s approximately 24 inches. My Heater is in the house in A closet which is Vented down into the crawlspace just like the entire crawlspace is open vented.
If I enclose my crawlspace, do I also then need to enclose the vent from the crawlspace up into the bottom of the heater?
We are very much interested in accomplishing this ourselves so any information provided would be great.
We will also be purchasing everything from your DIY store.
Thank you. Very informative. Do y'all service Bowling Green, KY?
I apologize, we do not.
Thank you for watching.
Great video! Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
@@CrawlSpaceNinja I would like to see a Crawl Space Ninja in Ozark, Missouri (Springfield, Mo area). Hopefully, in the near future that will happen. We bought some 12 mil from you and tape. We are getting solid wood floors installed and the manufacturer recommend a good vapor barrier. Luckily, our crawl space is doing ok (no water) and just a fresh vapor barrier is needed at this time. Thanks for your channel and content. It is helping us understand our crawl space. This is the first home we have owned with a crawl space, so it is all new to us.
Awesome channel. I get orange sludge growing between the wall and the lip of my drainage system. I was told it is a bacteria that feeds on the iron in the water. The guy who installed my system recommended using Iron Out to break up the sludge but it keeps growing back the plugging up the channel causing water to overflow into the crawl space. What is the cause of this and why is the orange stuff only on one area?
How do you address property that is required to have vents for potential flood water? The vents that open during flood do not provide an airtight seal for being able to run a dehumidifier.
Great info: Thank you! What about crawl spaces that have been capped with cement but are ventilated? Still need to lay down plastic - or can a liquid sealer be applied? Yes, expect to apply foam to interior foundation walls and block/seal vents plus add dehumidifier. South New Jersey with sandy soil.
OK?
As the Annual Builders Practice Survey from Home Innovation Research Labs shows, more builders are putting down their staplers and picking up rollers and sprayers in favor of liquid-applied air and moisture barriers. A single monolithic coating that seals a home quickly without fasteners is the most obvious benefit: it directly bonds to the exterior wall sheathing.
Y'all don't service my area so I am having to go with a different contractor. I have had a couple of bids and all are 80k-100k. 1800sqft and 2000sqft crawlspaces 2 feet tall. Flooding/drainage problems, jacks and beams, leveling, full encapsulation, 2-3 sump pumps. Does that sound reasonable? Its a 5300 sqft house on flat land.
Do you have major foundation issues. Installing a lot of jacks/i-beams? That can get costly but honestly that seems pretty high. Where are you located?
@@CrawlSpaceNinja I am in Bentonville, Arkansas. And yeah a lot of jacks/beams. I think 250ft of beam, and like 30 jacks or something. The foundation itself I think is solid, but the wood itself has been weakened due to moisture and so the floors and walls are under a lot of dipping and stress. Sill plates rotted in one section too.
The crawlspace takes on a lot of water. So they said they are going to get drainage in place to get rid of it, lift floors and what not back into place, then encapsulate it all. 25 year warranty on all of it, including the jack lifts since I'd do the whole package which should mean the jacks wont budge.
@@stevenohnsat7535 Thanks for sharing. I guess that could be a good number but without seeing it I am not sure. We had a couple in Miami ask us to drive and fix their crawl space because a contractor jacked it up. Just be careful who you hire and check their reviews, call past customers.
i insulated My crawlspace's walls with rigid foam boards, then cover them with bubble wrap. Then the sub floor's ceiling covered with bubble wraps also (already have existing insulation), and the floor is covered with 6-mil plastic sheeting. However, crawlspace has 4 vent holes, can I cover the vents now?
Yes you should seal/cover the vents
@@CrawlSpaceNinja thanks for confirming
Do I need to insulate subfloor if I insulated my brick Foundation
It is not needed but you can if you're looking to have your floors be warmer in the winter.
I am doing my own French drain and encapsulation with products I bought from CSN. But in illinois, with colder winters, would it still be good to just insulate the crawl space walls and not the subfloor, or should I insulate both?thanks in advance
I would love to become a provider for something like this, where would I get training, while still maintaining my current job as an aircraft mechanic
I am not sure if there is a crawl space repair school. We offer training as part of our franchise onboarding process but it doesn't sound like that would be a good fit for you. franchise.crawlspaceninja.com
NW Ohio- Our field stone foundation walls were spray insulated by previous owner, no vapor barrier but vents were all sealed, we are currently excavating out mold on the dirt (no standing water but LOTS of ground moisture) plan is: dehumidifier, vent fan, and vapor barrier... are we missing anything?
How I wish you fellas were West Coast too. We have a coupla "foundation repair" companies here in Oregon, but nothing close to how extensive your services are. Btw, have you ever suspected Home/County Inspector fraud?
We would love to have a west coast franchise!
Why don't contractors and code require use of pressure treated lumber when framing on crawl space? At least that would prevent insect/termite infestation
I have been asking the same thing for years. The only piece of pressure treated wood is the sill plate. If the entire crawl space was built of pressure treated wood there may be less contractors like me around. Thanks for watching.
@@CrawlSpaceNinjaI am considering purchasing a new build on sealed crawlspace. Crawlspace walls are superior walls and the space is high and dry.
1. If I see a few leaves under the underlayment is that a concern? (Organic material)
2. Will the fact that home sits solid on this crawlspace unventilated ensure (for most conditions) that the pex water supply will not freeze?
3. The HVAC air handler is located in crawlspace as well. The returns in the home don't have filters so I suspect the return filter is at the connection with air handler. If I place filters under the return grates in the home will that be sufficient to limit changing the filter at the air handler to once or twice a year?
Thanks
Hi !
I have a company here in Ca. It is high humidty all year long. What would you do for raised foundation ?
We don't see a lot of raised foundations. Is there any way to seal the exterior crawl space walls so you can control humidity?
I have a 875 sq home in Arkansas with about a 36 inch high plus crawl space. Home is about 50 years old and has just a very little amount of mold in one spot. Bathroom leak area. Could I use a product like Red guard or some other sealant to seal the particle board between the floor joists to help eliminate moisture from entering the floors? Could I seal and then use the honeycomb plastic on particle board and seal corners with foam from spray can. I would also vapor barrier the walls floor and pillars.
We don't recommend using a wood sealer on the subfloor or joists until after the wood has been completely dried out and the mold has been remediated. Here is a video we did on wood sealers: th-cam.com/video/-Wpd4rPvjZk/w-d-xo.html We also do not recommend using vapor barrier on your floor joists: th-cam.com/video/80OSZlIGwIY/w-d-xo.html If you are encapsulating the crawl space dirt floor, walls, and pillars, and controlling humidity, you should be okay.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja Thank you
Any need for insulation on the ground of an encapsulated crawl space in a cold northern climate?
As part of overall home air sealing and insulation, crawl space insulation contributes to energy efficiency. Heat and cool air are easily lost through the floor without insulation. Aside from preserving air quality, insulation also reduces energy consumption.
Hi, I have a crawl space that is encapsulated but it still have the insulation between the studs.
And I was told that the insulation needed to be removed to prevent moisture damage.
What do you recommend?
Please let me know.
Thanks
Please check out this blog
crawlspaceninja.com/blog/should-i-remove-insulation-from-crawl-space/
What would you do with having a false wall in a crawlspace. I have encapsulated with a dehumidifier and vent fan. All vents sealed with the band joist sealed with 2 inch foam. Im still confused with my most major air gap. House is built on block, but, my exterior is red brick one foot higher than the block. Essentially brick veneer with a 2 inch gap between the block and brick. Thats a big air gap. I can only assume its gotta be closed off at or near the top of the band joist. I cannot imagine the brick js just freestanding but when i sealed my vents from the outside and from inside of the crawlspace i noticed there is a gap. When i was sealing my bandjoist with foam block i noticed it as well at the top of the brick. I live in crossville,tn and do t see anything in the code about sealing the top between the block and brick. I have my vapor barrier 3 inches from the top of the brick per code. Ideas?
For expert advice feel free to fill out a Ask a Ninja form here - crawlspaceninja.com/ask-a-ninja/
CS door is metal. Can I add foam board to inside of door?
I would love to encapsulate my crawlspace, BUT who has 14k just sitting around to spend on something that no one sees or is not covered by homeowners insurance. The financing options wont even cover the entire $14k. Maybe $5k, which the leftover has to be covered by the owner. My homeowners insurance agent told me, every house with a crawlspace has mold, it's not black mold, so it's not covered.
After I got 2 different estimates for my crawlspace. Which were from 10k-14k. I ended up just getting an electrician to install a $300 dehumidifier from Lowe's. They also blocked my vents with foam insulation. It's pretty dry under there. I've had it for a year, but always worry I'm just prolonging the inevitable. I'm really just waiting for the interest rates to come down so I can refinance or take a home equity line and I'll replace my heat pump-9k, and encapsulation-10k-14k. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. Is the Crawlspace Ninja affiliate in Greensboro Nc any good? Tarheel? Carolina Basement? Bioclean?
Wonderful vid. I wish you were in n illinois.
Maybe one day!
Would brick veneer on the outside of the block foundation be a thermal barrier. You essentially have 2 walls. 14 inches thick. This is what i have and in my crawspace the interior of the block is never cold or hot
Not really as it is typically too thin
@@CrawlSpaceNinja thank you. This reply helped me decide. I'll run 1 inch foam panel covered in 12 mil vapor barrier 3 inch a from the top. I currently have all ventssealed off, doors sealed, floor registers sealed, all electrical and plumbing sealed and all rim joist sealed. Wood is at a 12 on my moisture meter and I have used rmr 114 and 86. I had little mold. My ground is cleaned of all debris and leveled. I am currently running a 540 cfm exhaust fan thru a vent and a 140 pint generic crawlspace dehumidifier connected to a little giant condensate pump with high water alarm/shut off. I plan to buy an Aprylair from your site AFTER I'm dry and space finished off. I consider my Chinese dehumidifier my sacrificial lamb. I started 2 weeks ago doing what I can after work. I exclusively watch your videos and take your advice. I'll let everything run a few weeks longer then start the encapsulation.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja which April air for 1500 sqft?
Thanks!
Can you encapsulate a crawl space if you don't have a continuous wall foundation? My crawl space has concrete block piers spaced about every 8 feet.
Unfortunately, without a thorough inspection, we can't really give an accurate or truthful answer. We don't want to tell you something that may harm you or your home. There are several factors that need to be considered for this situation, including: crawl space height, water table, codes for the region you live in. Sorry we couldn't be more helpful.
Great video!
I just want to say thank you, for sharing your knowledge! I recently inherited my parents home. It was closed up from July 2020 until May 2021. The drain in front of garage would always backup and flood into the garage, billiard room, and other lower levels. As a person with asthma; as soon as I go into the house my breathing is difficult. My crawl space smells of mold. With your videos, I have put a dehumidifier in the area, and a air purifier. The house has a Aprilair model 224 furnace. Do you know anything about this unit? Do you recommend any company here in Columbus, Ohio.
@@MissCookie23 Hi Robin, we do not have any experience with that model of Aprilaire. However, since it is an Aprilaire, you can use their contractor lookup to find a company in your area to help you with it! www.aprilaire.com/find-a-pro
As far as insulation, how "complete" should the insulation cover the crawl space? I currently have a Crawlspace Ninja team encapsulating our crawlspace, and they're leaving an 8-12 inch gap at the top of the crawlspace, more or less where it meets the floor joists. This is around the entire perimeter of the space. Is this appropriate? Doesn't that leave the crawlspace "less encapsulated? I talked to the team leader about it, and got something to the effect of "building codes say we can't extend to the top". But he also said the code was 3 inches and, as I said, there's places where it's easy 12 inch gaps.
Anyway, the team's not finished yet, and I'm trying to educate myself for I call the office and maybe/maybe not get an explanation that maybe/maybe not makes a bit of sense. Any insights here would be appreciated.
Building code. Termite mitigation and sill preservation / access is important and why they would stop below the sill
Hey! Feel free to contact the sales manager of that franchise! However yes The code is to leave a 3 inch gap from the seal plate per termite code.
My crawl space is encapsulated with spray foam from the top of the walls down to the plastic on the floors. I would like to redo the plastic on the floors can I lay a new 12 mil plastic over the existing and tape?
The only time we recommend leaving the old vapor barrier in place is if it is covered with rock or it is still very clean with no debris on top of or underneath. Sometimes removing the old vapor barrier just isn't an option. The concern with leaving the old vapor barrier, however, is odors if there are any organic materials left behind, or if water happens to get between the layers and is unable to escape. Hope this helps!
@@CrawlSpaceNinja thank you
Can you put down 12 mil or even 20 mil plastic and put a dehumidifier in a crawlspace? Essentially without wrapping the walls and such.
YES you can just install the dehu, close/seal vents and install a vent fan, or just install the VB on the ground making sure to attach it to the walls though, even if it is at the bottom of the walls, the VB is HIGHLY recommended to prevent A LOT of the humidity coming through the ground- which humidity originates- and through the walls.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja awesome! Where would I run the condensate from the dehu? I scored a brand new Santa Fe 90 dehu for $750 and I’m hoping to say some money!
@@brandiigiibson Check out this video, Brandi.
th-cam.com/video/4ic1sf_91g8/w-d-xo.html
Y'all need a place in west Tennessee
I had my crawl space contractor tell me that they could simply cover mold and it would go dormant. That told me that they were not qualified to do the work.
Thanks for sharing
Can anybody recommend a crawl space repair company in Boston massachussetts?
I am sorry I don't know one but hopefully someone watching does.
Hi Michael!
Ok, so what if you do nothing in the crawl space? If the vents are open in the spring/summer/fall, then flowing air carries humidity in, then out. In winter, the humidity is low outside, so closing the vents helps to have warmer floors. I am not nixing what you're saying about crawl spaces, I just want to ask you to tell how&why the code for foundations includes PUTTING VENTS IN; were the code people UN-informed about what's happening under the house?
I guess you missed the whole point about mold issues from wetness caused by condensation in ventilated crawl spaces. Code people only follow the code that requires the CS to be insulated, builders typically do things the cheapest way.. hence crawl spaces were mostly installed vented.
May I have some cooperation with your company？
Hi AlorAir Solutions. Feel free to reach out to our Marketing Manager at mikew@crawlspaceninja.com so we can learn some more information. Have a happy and blessed day.
Location?
Hey Sean AKA Wayne, thanks for reaching out. Could you please elaborate a little bit on what you mean? Thanks!
Can a crawl space incapsulation keep out snakes. Snakes are getting into my house.
Encapsulating your crawl space is the first and most obvious way of preventing snakes from entering it. You can use a vapor barrier liner to reduce humidity and prevent leaks in your crawl space while also creating a physical barrier between your foundation and pests.
I’m spending 11k so that I can crawl under my house without getting dirty so I can run cable and wire
They are doing a 38 mil I think with the felt backing on the bottom aprilaire dehumidifier running power trench sump pump I think he said eight hole pipe idk what pipe for sure but I didn’t want to get dirty lol it will be nice having less bugs and cold air coming in from the floor
38 mil is almost pond liner thickness. Maybe .38mm (15 mil)?
Incredible info