Most crawl space encapsulation methods involve sealing crawl space vents, removing soil to create a subtle grade, and installing a vapor barrier and crawl space insulation. Crawl spaces are often vulnerable to moisture from the ground below your home. This water can seep into your crawl space, air, and sub-structure, resulting in increased wood damage.

Poor ventilation and improper grading can further compound this problem. Damp wood can attract termites, mold, and mildew and can even lead to costly structural damage. Encapsulation prevents these problems from occurring, lowering your energy bills and preventing excessive outside air from penetrating into your home.

Radon gas buildup is possible in any home. Radon is a radioactive gas. It results from the natural decay of uranium found in almost all soils. It usually travels along the ground into the air overhead and enters your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon gas where it can accumulate. That means old and new homes, well-sealed and windproof homes, and homes with or without basements.

If you suspect your home has high levels of radon, you should test for radon concentrations at least once a year. Experts recommend that you test your home twice, before installing a radon reduction system. However, you should be aware that the amount of radon in a home can fluctuate over time, so a low test result is not necessarily indicative of an elevated level.

The type of house you live in will determine which radon reduction system is best for you. Generally, houses are classified by their foundation design – a basement, slab-on-grade, or crawl space. Some houses have a combination of foundation designs, so you may need to combine several different techniques to lower radon concentrations.

Passive radon mitigation systems work with a fan that is installed at the foundation level. It is used to move the radon gas away from the home, preventing it from accumulating in your living spaces. The system is completely silent and the radon fan is not visible as it sits beneath the home. Moreover, it requires minimal maintenance, and the fans can operate for years without needing any repairs. The major drawback of passive systems is that they can’t be used in older homes because their effectiveness decreases as the radon level increases.

A crawl space dehumidifier can be an effective solution for high moisture level areas, sufficiently maintaining a dry environment even in encapsulated areas. High quality dehumidifiers have a durable design with corrosion-resistant aluminum coils to ensure its integrity. A dehumidifier can remove many pints of moisture a day, and is great for keeping your crawl space dry, even if it has been encapsulated.

If you smell this odor coming from your crawl space, you are not alone!

The odor actually originates from the decomposition of organic material in the soil under the home. This can be compounded by elevated moisture levels in the soil that occur post encapsulation. Once a space is encapsulated, the evaporation of moisture from the soil is greatly reduced. This can result in an increase in moisture which can then reactivate dormant microorganisms that then break down organic material at an accelerated rate—that’s why a crawl space that may not have smelled before the encapsulation may start to smell.

The ammonia released in this process is what creates the cat pee smell. This is because cat pee contains ammonia, the substance that creates the significant smell we associate with cat pee. When organic matter breaks down in the soil, the microorganisms decompose the organic matter back into more basic components. As a result of this process, ammonia is released in high pH soils and less toxic Ammonium in lower pH soils.