Guide to Crawl Space Encapsulation, Raleigh NC

[@ihikefar]

This video should be renamed- The importance of a super thick rubber landing pad in your crawl space. Thanks!

[@drdrainz3941]

Amen. Gotta have it

[@PatriciaAnnGriggs]

THAT WAS SO INFORMATIVE ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE A CRAWL SPACE 💜💜💜💜

[@drdrainz3941]

Amazing what some people have right under their feet.

[@jamesweatherford3487]

Bubba and Cletus appreciate the shout out.

[@enyceofnyc]

What did you think of “partial encapsulation”? (French drain, sump pump, 20ml barrier but not up the walls, aprilaire dehumidifier, keep insulation under floor.)

[@jamesatwood4433]

this dude really loves France

[@cb8591]

Hahahaha! . It’s all about the order.

[@KalashDUDE]

great info. THANK YOU!!!

[@michaelstockdale]

Thanks so much for the video! Do you have a recommendation for a crawlspace contractor in central SC?

[@jamesinscoe9267]

Need to rename this video, shows little to nothing on a Guide of HOW to encapsulate , need videos during the work and not a constant self patting on his on back of how great a job they did, Don't get me wrong , it was an excellent job but I am sure it was a $12-$15k job by the end. Would have like to have seen how they wrap the columns, lay the plastic, How the foam board is installed and how far up the wall it was installed before covered in plastic. Not really a GUIDE other than the mention of a few products. A "GUIDE" should leave people with vey little questions on how to do it in the end but it only increased the number of questions by the end. Nice work we can see that clearly by the end results , too bad we never got to see the process to get there. I do disagree with one of the statements though. If you cannot afford a full encapsulation You can install a dehumidifier in a crawlspace that is not 100% sealed and get real results. Make sure the vapor barrier is fully covering all exposed soils and try to flip it up the walls 12 inches or so , make sure all crawlspace vents are close and possibly get foam board and cut to fit them. You can get the crawlspace down by a huge percentage by this alone. Even in Raleigh NC where the humidity is typically 70% or above outside typically it will pull it down to the 40 and 50% range and keep any mold and mildew growth at bay as it needs at least 60% and above constantly to thrive.

[@krisb5326]

Why would they show you how to do it if they’re selling the service? This is a promo reel meant to increase business. You’re wrong about a using dehumidifier without a vent seal. Doing so would not only remove the water in the crawl but drawn it from the outside. Also it would reduce the life of the dehu.

[@southernappalachianrecon]

Awesome video, thank you 💯👍

[@relatableguy2232]

Where does that exhaust fan pull air from if it's encapsulated and sealed?

[@lunareclipse2458]

In my house there is a pipe that goes straight outside and then up past the roof so it's up and away from the house.

[@bruceclounie3716]

Helpful video, thank you! As someone who's learning I have a question - what's the rationale for putting the foam under the poly instead of vice versa?

[@KKRiver861]

So in NC you don't have to insulate your subfloor if your crawl space walls are insulated and encapsulated?

[@mackenzieking6654]

Interesting to see the Insulation board under the plastic. I've always seen plastic with poly on top

[@mlhm5]

Every ventilated crawl space in NC has at least 80% humidity. Builders seldom if ever adequately address the drainage of a house and crawl space never pour a rat slab. They even put the HVAC on a dirt floor crawl space con concrete blocks or worse. For all the problems and expense a typical crawl space will cost the homeowner, speaks to really bad building practices. As far as this project, since the space is conditioned/encapsulated there is no reason the air in this space should be separated from the air in the house. IMO an 1850 could do the whole house including the crawl space.

[@drdrainz3941]

Preach it!

[@Jaker788]

Not to mention that mechanical, residential, and energy code all probably have something to say about how you should be treating and managing a sealed crawlspace. Going off national code adapted to my state, you need to have some ventilation either to the outside or inside. Just a dehumidifier is not enough to be considered ventilation. This is for unoccupied interior spaces (attics or crawlspaces that are sealed) for 1000 square feet you need 20 CFM of air exchange however you wanna do it, but it's HVAC or dedicated vent most likely. Energy codes for 2024 once a state adapts them and depending on climate zone also has stuff about continuous insulation. For the foundation walls it's about R30 in most cases, for the floor it's complicated and depends on soil thermal conductivity and temp, but assume at least R5 but R15 is probably better. If foam board is used, fire code may require a fire barrier over it, drywall, rockwool, or other approved materials like some intumescent paints. For sealed crawlspaces it is highly recommended by the code to do radon mitigation. The way to do it and remain sealed is sub membrane depressurization. The requirements are outlined in a couple sections, but essentially some kind of air gap either with 6" gravel or a mat that can do an equivalent open air space. Then a PVC pipe from underneath to the outside driven by a fan and exiting above the roofline.

[@maxmanx1294]

What is the protocol when snakes, perhaps venomous ones, are in the insulation above head & between the joists? Do you move them out with a snake stick or what? An unsealed crawlspace can be pretty dark. Snakes want to escape unharmed, of course. But how do you avoid accidentally cornering one?

[@tycox8704]

The exhaust fan was pointless according to your explanation. The EPA requires a fan if radon is present-not for odors. You said radon is very rare in NC. So why did you install one?

[@gantzthegreat8998]

because code requires it if its present or not

[@thefooshisloose]

Fan for unconditioned space and NO FAN for conditioned which is what he should have done and failed. I think his wife will not appreciate all the Sara comments too LOL.

[@thefooshisloose]

@@gantzthegreat8998 Radon mitigation is different, this is just vapor retarder which should be a conditioned space with no fan.

[@CalTek]

One question - I have a Century home and crawlspace is rock wall and dirt floor and appears to have been used as a bottle dump. My furnace is down there and I am working on improving the area and eventually going to use it as storage for my large totes. So far I have cleaned it out (3 large bins of broken and full bottles) plus around 80-100 stones weighing 10-50 lbs each. I have installed 6 mil VB on the floor and 1/2" rigid insulation on the walls (and taped the seams). I then ran the VB 12-14" up the insulation and taped that. From there I have framed out the walls with 2x4 (16" OC). I now want to control the humidity as it is currently around 80%. Plan on installing a dehumidifier in there but since there is no French drain or sump pump I am wondering what my option(s) are for drainage of the dehumidifier. Can I drain it under the floor VB or should I look at a pump system (like something on a furnace) that will pump the water outside. Clearance of the area is around 5' 2" and this area is built on limestone so cannot dig very deep. I would like to control the moisture down there as my final step is R-12 Rockwool bat insulation and VB then another layer of 6mil VB on the floor (and taped) then subfloor. Thanks to ANYONE that can help out.

[@thelifescout8335]

The best informative video on this topic I’ve watched so far. My question is regarding your comment on the waste of money on a dehu before it’s full sealed. So I just bought a home that has a encapsulated crawl semi decent but not like this. It has no dehu and it has test for some light mold on the joists. I want to have it remediated and reseal the crawl better. I have heard to control moisture first via, sealing vents and taking out insulation and installation dehu to bring the humidity down. What would you do in that situation? I’m in Va and you prob know right now it’s freezing cold out and I’m also concerned about removing insulation this time of year but I’d rather not wait for spring.

[@cb8591]

Great video but if this was the most informative one you’ve seen you have missed a bunch of good ones!

[@thefooshisloose]

@@cb8591 Yep, this one is mediocre at best. Too long, too many jokes, too many references to his mistress, too many Merica mentions.

[@bobkimble9242]

how do you attach the 2" insulation

[@againstallodds404]

Had my encapsulation done by tarheel and its a hot mess. If there was a way I could post pics here I certainly would. When you spend close to 10gs you want it done right. I'm so disappointed. I understand each company does things differently but my advice to anyone thinking about this is to do your research. Know the best materials, understand what is code, how each layer is supposed to be put done. Some of my insulation is hanging down, there's no way to tell if there's a leak, duct work straps and duct work is laying on the ground, seams are wide open and dirt is everywhere. There is no insulation board on the walls behind the barrier. The only part that we are happy with is the door. I wish I had contacted you guys instead. Thanks for your very informative video

[@LS2FD]

Sorry to hear about the results after spending that kind of money. If you want to go down the path of getting it redone all together, contact Coastal Crawl Space and Foundation Repair.

[@againstallodds404]

@@LS2FD Thank you so much. I certainly will.

[@mrbmp09]

Take them to court, you should get your money back.

[@mrbmp09]

I think that tape is polyethylene not vinyl. Use a cable tie on those light guards, the duct tape looks like Bubba and Cletus done it.

[@johnmichael642]

Looks great and great information

[@joe91584]

What type of plastic and mill did you buy for the cross space?

[@ghostlycreation]

What insulation do you use? Is it true you have to use a foam board with a flame retardant coating in North Carolina? Thank you

[@jimbeck6093]

Awesome!!! Raleigh, NC!!

[@drdrainz3941]

In the HOUUUZ

[@jimbeck6093]

@@drdrainz3941 “HOUUUZ”? “House”?

[@jimbeck6093]

@@drdrainz3941 LOL!!

[@Familyfun2006]

Why does it cost so much I looked and found exactly same stuff quality products cost for my house not including labor around 4k and the rest 10 to 12k in labor that’s ridiculous I can do it my self and as good of a job as any pro company

[@thomasmorrison3279]

Good video.

[@drdrainz3941]

We try. Thx!

[@davekreitzer8075]

What does completely sealing your crawlspace with rubber sheathing do? I looked at a house, that I was interested in buying, that had this done. I can tell you what it did, it made the whole house smell like cat urine. If you don't mind cat urine odor, and wasting your money, this is for you.

[@angelhernandez4727]

When you encapsulate a crawl space do you have to insulate the floor joist? Just a question I have. Thanks.

[@subcomandante77]

No but it foes help

[@luispadovani3788]

🇺🇸 America!! I love it! I'll paint the joist gold with a huge deposit! You crack me up. Do you go to Hays ,NC 28635?

[@benseward9722]

Do you need to be licensed to start a crawl space encapsulation company?

[@antoniomaldonado8485]

What do u do it you can’t get to certain areas of crawlspace. My crawlspace is broken down to three areas the main area is reachable the others are not. Any suggestions?

[@appledrains]

I know it’s not what you want to hear, but you just have to work harder and let your knowledge help you figure it out! I know if you try you can do it

[@veronicapadovani4243]

I have a property in Hays, NC Like an 1 /12 hours from Charlotte, dobyou come there? Just had my footing and foundation wall done, framing soon. 900 sq/ft what should it cost roughly?

[@juicebox22a]

Thats reducing radon also. Nice!

[@drdrainz3941]

Keeps the "stink" away as well

[@praysheryl]

What kind of price range is this crawl.

[@praysheryl]

Im guessing 18k.

[@kgc1911]

How much did this job cost? I know every job is different but whats the esfor this job as an example so i kind of have an idea what to expect?

[@subcomandante77]

Easily over 10k

[@T1DSUX]

Wow!!!!! Any of you in Maryland?

[@drdrainz3941]

Only when I want the best crab sandwich ever made

[@ttchmp]

Are there vidoes on crawl spaces that aren't pretty?

[@billstephens2222]

For DIYers, where can the vapor barrier be purchased?

[@drdrainz3941]

online on amazon

[@cb8591]

Not at Amazon! Google encapsulation supplies. You’ll get several options.

[@ryanhubler9894]

You sound like Mathew McConaughey can I get a alright alright alright? Lol

[@appledrains]

Thanks I guess?

[@kelliez9991]

Greg

[@marilynnelson4718]

Lucky. You get to sit up. 😢

[@TylerMcswain-z1y]

They make this stuff called drainage matting I'm sure you've heard of it since you've mastered this or so it sounds like that's what your ego is saying but the matting GOES UNDER THE PLASTIC

[@joeybashaw4533]

Good video. Spent 10 minutes talking about the little black vent box and never said exactly what it was.

[@mrbmp09]

He explained exactly what it did and gave the model number.

[@cb8591]

No he didn’t!

[@schmitty8225]

Straps remind me of France. Vive La France

[@drdrainz3941]

Wee Wee. Pepe Lepu and all that

[@offplanetevent]

Snakes eat the mice and I eat the snakes.

[@thefooshisloose]

This 36 minute video is 35 minutes too long. Some good info but he was too busy making cheesy jokes and supporting America despite the French colors but he has no clue. Sad reality is that this needs to be fully sealed along with the encapsulation which is where this vid goes wrong. A conditioned space is what he was intending to do but then failed with the vent fan going outside. Sealed, encapsulated, and conditioned is the way to go these days.