Damp and musty crawlspace
When the moisture level in the crawlspace gets high it will destroy fiberglass insulation and wood. The crawlspace is naturally a very moist environment. Even if you have never seen standing water, the ground water always seeps up through the dirt or sand and makes crawlspaces very humid.
Old fiberglass insulation in the crawlspace
When this insulation is originally installed it is light and fluffy. In this condition it will stay up in the floor pretty well. The problems come when it starts to soak up the moisture in the air. It will become very heavy and start to sag. The insulation only works when it is flat against the floor, so when it sags the value is zero.
Wet dirt and humid air in the crawlspace
This picture just brings to mind a nasty and wet hole in the ground. The dirt is always moist and when the high heat of summer bakes the house it has the same effect of a boiling pot on a stove. All the moisture from the ground evaporates into the air and makes the crawlspace air thick and humid.
Loss of storage space
When a builders has extra siding they will sometimes store in in the crawlspace. I've known several homeowners that didn't even know it was down there. After a crawlspace is encapsulated and dried out using DryZone's system, it can be used to store all kinds of things. Many people clean out the garage or attic and store holiday decorations, beach chairs, or even seasonal clothes.
SilverGlo crawlspace insulation
SilverGlo is a dense rigid foam board that insulates a crawlspace like nothing else. It will never get ruined by water and cannot grow mold. It comes in long sheets for easier installation and can be cut to size for any situation. The shiny silver side is a radiant barrier which adds to the R value, or the ability of the product to hold heat and cool. SilverGlo is a fantastic insulator and will last basically forever.
Adding CleanSpace over the SilverGlo insulation
SilverGlo and CleanSpace go hand in hand. The insulation keeps the house and crawlspace temperature very even, and the CleanSpace locks out the moisture. With these two products, and a couple others, the home will be comfortable year round. The energy costs will be lowered, too.
Installing CleanSpace vapor barrier
DryZone has removed the old fiberglass insulation that was ruined by moisture. The new SilverGlo insulation is affixed to the crawlspace walls and then the CleanSpace goes on top. The entire process only takes a few days, and the result is almost instant. This project was completed in the middle of summer but the insulation will really come in handy when winter rolls around.
Optional wall cap
When a homeowner wants to get a little extra protection, they can add wall cap to the CleanSpace system. The clear channel at the top seals the edge of the SilverGlo and CleanSpace liner. This gives a nice finished look to the project and makes the whole system work just that much better. DryZone never designs a "cookie cutter" system. Each crawlspace is designed with the homeowner's input so that they are comfortable with the outcome.
Clean and dry crawlspace
The difference between exposed dirt and a complete vapor barrier system is massive. The smells of mildew and mold will go away, the wood will dry out, and the mold spores will die off. This is a healthy environment for you and your family. Now when air seeps up from the crawlspace it will smell nice, be dry, and feel great.