Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 13:19:10 -0400
From: Patty Strother
Subject: crawlspace
In response to the question about having an encapsulated crawlspace, I would highly recommend it. All of my foundation vents are sealed and the entire ground is covered in 6(?+) mil plastic. Both the seams between plastic sheets and the edges of the plastic draped up the footings and concrete piers are sealed with mastic.
No matter what time of year it is or what the outside temperature is, my crawlspace (which is fortunately tall enough to easily scoot around in) is always dry and a comfortably cool, but not too cool, temperature. My floor insulation is dry and there isn’t any moldy smell under the house. I am much more comfortable going up under the house to just check things out from time to time and contractors sure seem to appreciate it if they have to go there too. Plus, it doesn’t have as much of the creepy, crawly stuff in it…although mice will be mice and I do find droppings and sunflower seeds from the bird feeder in there sometimes.