There are three things that destroy materials in general, and wood in particular: water, heat and ultra-violet radiaton. Of these, water is by far the most important.

A dirt crawl space under a home is a very bad idea. The earth has very high humidity in the soil. The water vapor moves easily into the crawl space and upwards into the house environment.

A damp envronment is very unhealthy and destructive. Mold thrives and reproduces by producing airborne spores by the millions, and some molds are toxic.

Insects and critters of all kinds love damp environments and wet materials. Rot and decay occur in damp environments causing structural damage.

The natural airflow in a house is from bottom to top. This sucks the moist air and everything in it up into the living areas of the home.

Mold spores, odors, humidity and critters create a very unhealthy enviroment for people. Many people are allergic to these things, and experience a host of sympotoms and don't realize that their dirt crawl space is affecting their health.

Dirt crawl spaces do not have to be wet or flooded to be extremely unhealthy.

Heating and cooling costs are higher in a home with a vented dirt crawl space.

The Problem and The Damage

Bugs & Critters

Dirt crawl spaces are great places to live, thrive and reproduce if you're a bug. There is an even temperature, moisture, damp wood and shelter. Spiders, beetles, centipedes, termites, and all kinds of other insects are found in dirt crawl spaces. In some cases, even rats, snakes, raccoons, opossums, skunks and other small animals have been found.

Condensation

Because of the high humidity level in a dirt crawl space, cool surfaces such as the earth at 55 degrees, concrete and metal surfaces will sweat with the water vapor condensing out of the air. This causes rot, odors, and is a water source for all types of pests.

Mold & Structural Damage

Mold spores, the seeds of mold, are in the air everywhere. All they need to grow is organic material such as wood, the right temperature range, and moisture. Of these, the only one that can be cortolled is moisture. Dirt crawl spaces have the high humidity levels necessary for mold growth. Humidity levels from 50% to 90% are easily found in dirt crawl spaces that have never flooded.

Mold can grow on dirt, insulation, framing and even under your carpet on the first floor. Mold destroys organic materials as it feeds on them. Mold reproduces by producing millions of floating airborne spores, which some people are very sensitive to. Spores can be dormant for many years, waiting for the right conditions to grow. Some molds produce mycotoxing, such as the black mold Stachybotrys. Many articles can be bound on the effects of mold and toxic mold.

Don't panic. there is a solution that will stop your crawl space from being a hospital environment for mold. Mold will not grow when the humidy levels are reduced below 50%.

Outside Air.

Most dirt crawl spaces are vented to get the moisture out. The problem is the the vents let in warm humid air during summer. This adds moisture to the crawl space, and makes the house harder to air condition as all this moisture needs to be wrung out of the air. In the winter, the vents let cold air, which causes very cold, uncomfortable floors upstairs and hgiher heating costs.

 

The Solution:

The CleanSpace Liner

The CleanSpace Liner is used to isolate the home from the earth completely and permanently. The liner is a heavy 20 mil thick material similar to a pool liner. It is manufacutured in 7 layers-a-blend of high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, and two layers of polyester cord reinforcement. It is blue on one sice and white on the other. The brigh white finish side really brightens a crawlspace with the available lighting and allows you to easily see that your crawl space is free of mold, insects and dirt. the CleanSpace liner is manufactured with an antimicrobial additive called UltraFresh-molded right into the material.

 

How it Works...

The CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System completely isolates your home from the earth. This dramatically reduces the humidity level in the air which, when combined with sealing outside air and dehumidification, will eliminate mold growth and rot from your crawl space and make the whole house healthier.

Trained installers will remove wood and organic materials from your crawl space floor. Rocks and uneven surefaces are leveled, depending on the crawl space conditions.

The CleanSpace liner is carefully cut and installed. The workers usually will be working in their socks, once the floor piece is laid out keeping the liner clean. That's how clean your crawl space will be!

Small holse are drille dinto the top of your space walls, and nylon fasteners are installed to permanently secure the CleanSpace liner to the walls. The top edge of the CleanSpace liner is sealed to the walls with polyurethane sealant. All seams are sealed with a special 4" wide sealing tape and/or sealant made for the CleanSpace liner. The CleanSpace liner is also sealed around other objects such as pipes, columns, and piers with any combination of sealants or concrete.

Radon Gas

Dehumidification

Many crawl spaces can benefit from, and most need dehumidification to dry the crawl space air. Our expet installer can recommend a SaniDry unit appropriate for your home.

The SaniDry Model CSB air system will complete your CleanSpace system.

Radon gas is naturally occuring radioactive gas that comes from the ground in most areas of North America. Ehe EPA has indetified radon gas exposure with increased risk of lung cancer. Dirt crawl spaces allow radon gas to enter the home easily. The CleanSpace Encapsulation System is the ideal solution to reduce radon entry from a dirt crawl space. The system can be combined with a fan and exhaust pipe to actively draw radon laden air from beneath the CrawlSpace liner and exhaust it outdoors.

Drainage Options

Most crawl spaces are wet and require a drainage system underneath the CleanSpace liner. Our specialist will recommend a drainage system that is best for your crawl space condition.

A Basement Systems Smart Pump will be necessary in wet crawl spaces to drain the water and pump it out. The SmartSump has a reliable Zoeller 1/3hp cast iron pump in a strong durable sump liner with holes in it to accept water from the ground. It features an airtight lid to keep the moisture and bugs out, and a WaterWatch alarm system to let you konow if there is ever a plumbing leak, pump problem, or power failure.

The lid and unique sump liner are designed to ealy accept the CleanSpace system for iar-tight seal between the CleanSpace and SmartPump.

 

 

 

 

Sealing Outside Air

Building Scientists, and U.S. Dept. of Energy agree that vented crawl spaces in warm and cold climates are a bad idea. With CleanSpace Encapsulation System, your vents will be sealed up! This will save you energy costs, and make a more comfortable and healthy home.

 

 

The Turtle-Durable airtight, and lockable crawl space access system.

 

 

 

The CleanSpace Vent Cover seals crawl space vents permanently from the outside to stop unwanted outside air from entering the crawl space, while covering ugly vents with an attractive panel.