Topeka is the capital of Kansas and home to over 125,000 residents. It is sometimes referred to as the Golden City because early settlers were taken by the beauty of the surrounding area and the golden autumn leaves of the elm trees.
The beauty of the area is something locals enjoy but homeowners don’t always enjoy the soil conditions in the area. Foundation problems are fairly common and they can affect the crawl space. If they do, you can call on Epp Foundation Repair for repair services and crawl space encapsulation.
What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
The process of crawl space encapsulation insulates, protects, and seals the crawl space with an overlapping layer of poly-sheeting. That vapor barrier is put on the walls and floor to improve air quality and prevent problems, such as mold and pest infestations.
Prior to wrapping the walls and floor, it may be necessary to do some repairs. This could include water control and removal with a drain tile system. It may also be necessary to seal gaps and replace damaged or wet insulation.
After repairs are made and the floors and walls are wrapped, we install a large dehumidifier to keep the area dry. The end result is a dry, clean area, suitable for storage, among other uses.
Who Needs Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Any homeowner with a crawl space would experience the benefits of crawl space encapsulation but it may be more beneficial for homeowners who are already experiencing problems.
Some problems may be obvious, such as mold growth or high humidity but it can also benefit those with respiratory problems or who have severe allergies.
Crawl space encapsulation is more than just a means to experience the benefits of the completed work. It is a proactive decision that can benefit any homeowner.
Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Most, if not all homeowners would benefit from crawl space encapsulation. If you want a home that is more comfortable and healthier, then it is a choice you can make as well. Here are some specific benefits you may experience.
Improve the Floor's Comfort
If you enjoy walking around in your bare feet and paying less to heat your home, this is of interest to you. Without the cold, winter air entering the crawl space, the floors will be much warmer.
Protect Structural Integrity
Small issues with the crawl space can quickly lead to larger issues. The repairs and encapsulation keep the foundation dry, eliminating wood rot and foundation buckling and failure.
Reduces Heating and Cooling Costs
We all want to pay less for power and crawl space encapsulation offers that benefit. It does so by reducing humidity and improving the temperature in the crawl space and home.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
The benefits of good indoor air quality are often underestimated. Almost half of the air you are breathing in your home comes from the crawl space. When you improve one, you improve both.
Stop Pest Infestations
Insect and rodent infestations can impact the health of your family and even the structural quality of the home. They can't get through the polyurethane sheeting used to wrap the crawl space so it solves the problem.
Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth
Mold grows when it has moisture, air, and food available. Those are the conditions in an unencapsulated crawl space. Mold can't grow on the poly-sheeting and the reduced humidity keeps it from growing elsewhere.
Epp Foundation Repair Services
We offer more than crawl space encapsulation. At Epp Foundation Repair, we have a host of additional services that can help to improve the integrity and longevity of your home and foundation. They include the following.
A foundation may shift and sink due to poor soil conditions and other factors. As it does, it creates problems, such as uneven floors, wall and ceiling cracks, and sticking doors and windows. The foundation walls may also buckle and crack due to hydrostatic pressure.
We can fix those issues and stop them from getting worse using foundation underpinning. By driving helical or push piers deep into stable soil, they offer a stable footing for your foundation and home.
Cracks can also be repaired using carbon fiber straps or staples, along with epoxy injections. It provides a permanent fix to concrete cracks.
Water may enter the basement through bowing foundation walls, cracks, around windows, and concrete honeycombing. Once any repairs are made, we can waterproof the basement to keep it dry.
The walls and any cracks are covered to keep any water that does get through from getting into the basement. In the unlikely event that water does get through the wall, it will go to the floor and into the sump pit without getting into the living space.
A drainage system will be installed or modified to take care of any excess water in the basement or outside of the foundation walls. A sump pump can pump any water out of the sump pit to an area away from the home.
Concrete is one of the heaviest building materials and it can sink when the soil gives way underneath it. When concrete slabs sink, such as your walkway, driveway, or patio, it is both unsightly and dangerous. If left go, it could cause the slab to crack, leading to permanent damage.
We can lift the slab back into place using polyurethane foam. This process, known as slab jacking, can fix most problems with sinking concrete, provided the concrete isn’t destroyed.
We drill small holes (about the size of a dime) into the concrete and inject the 2-part polyurethane mixture below the slab. Once we do, the liquid expands 30-50 times its original size. As it fills the gap, it compresses the soil and also raises the slab.
Once we lift the slab, you can begin using it within a few minutes.
