Radon is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that poses serious health risks to you and your family. If you have a crawlspace, it’s easy for radon to seep through the soil and accumulate in your indoor air. Many homeowners prefer crawl space encapsulation as a mitigation measure.
But is crawl space encapsulation worth your time? Does it reduce radon levels?
The answer is YES. If done correctly, it reduces radon to the lowest levels possible.
Let’s look at crawl space encapsulation in detail.
What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing the crawl space with a barrier to prevent radon from migrating through the floorboards and into your living space. The contractors will inspect and clean the space to prepare for encapsulation.
Next, they lay a crosslinked vapor barrier across the crawl space walls and floors and seal it with double-sided tape or spray foam to prevent air leaks. The contractor installs spray foam insulation on cables, pipes, and ducts to seal off the space.
Lastly, they install a perforated pipe under the vapor membrane to draw radon and moisture out with a specialized radon mitigation suction fan.
How Crawl Space Encapsulation Reduces Radon in Your Home
Encapsulating your crawl space prevents radon from seeping through the cracks in the walls, ductwork outlets, and into the living spaces in your home. While the radon is still present in the soil or cracks, it is contained in the vapor barrier and drawn outside before it gets to the crawl space air, thereby reducing radon levels in your entire home.
Typically, the installation is fitted with a system monitor to help you check whether it’s functioning properly. As long as the encapsulated crawl space and the piping stays intact, you never have to worry about radon entering your home.
What If the Levels Are Still High After Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation in itself is not enough to keep radon levels down. it is possible to find high levels of radon in encapsulated crawl spaces. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests installing a vent and suction fan alongside the encapsulation (as described above) for the most effective results.
Another option would be placing a fan in the crawl space to dilute the radon gas. However, this method can significantly increase your overall crawl space encapsulation cost. Your contractor can also install crawl space vents to reduce radon levels beneath your home. The best practice is to combine the vapor barrier with a mitigation system for effective radon mitigation.
Other Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Apart from radon mitigation, encapsulating crawl spaces also:
- Improves indoor air quality
- Inhibits mold growth
- Improves energy efficiency
- Reduces humidity levels
- Inhibits pest infestation
Contact Teton Radon Services for Effective Crawl Space Encapsulation Services
Teton Radon Services is your expert partner for professional crawl space encapsulation services. We have helped many homeowners successfully reduce radon levels through meticulous crawl space encapsulation services for over 15 years, and we can do it for you too. Call us for a free crawl space encapsulation service quote.