How to Remove Crawl Space Odors Under the Vapor Barrier
Are you concerned about crawl space odors under the vapor barrier?
Have you recently encapsulated your crawl space and noticed odors under the plastic?
In this article, we will discuss how to remove crawl space odors from under the vapor barrier.
What Causes Odors Under the Vapor Barrier
Many companies will install a crawl space encapsulation vapor barrier over organic materials like wood from construction projects and even dead animals.
Taking time to remove these objects prior to installing the vapor barrier in your encapsulated crawl space will reduce odors.
Dying Plant Matter and Soil Gases Can Contribute to Foul House Odors
Some objects are immovable and can still cause odors like plant root systems that may die after vapor barrier installation and molds that grow in the soil. Also, soil gases like methane and other VOCs can also create unavoidable odors in the future.
Beware: If you are experiencing a cat pee odor in your home from the crawl space, that could be caused by the vapor barrier itself. What I am about to share below will not fix that problem.
Click here to learn more. Also, this article is not designed as instruction on how to install a radon mitigation system.
Steps to Remove Odors Under the Vapor Barrier
- Cut the plastic near the foundation wall and install a Radon Away Radon-T under the vapor barrier. Run a 3-inch or 4-inch sewer and drain or PVC pipe from the T and outside the crawl space through the foundation wall.
- Install the radon fan (soil odor fan) outside the crawl space onto the PVC.
- Place PVC on the top of the soil gas fan and extend beyond the roof line. Installation instructions are provided with the fan.
- Install a vent cap on the top of the PVC to prevent rainwater from entering the PVC pipe.
- Check out RadonAway’s page “Reducing Radon in New Construction” for more information.
Directing the air from under the crawl space plastic to the outside of the home should address soil gas odors. This method is usually used after the crawl space encapsulation is performed and is a retrofit to correcting the crawl space odor problem.
If you know you have odor issues prior to installing the crawl space vapor barrier, we recommend installing a perforated pipe through the crawl space in addition to the steps above. The perforated pipe can then be attached to the Radon-T and will be even more effective.
Also, a crawl space foundation vent fan can address soil gases above the vapor barrier.
Ready to find out more?
Drop us a line today for a quote!
Contact Crawl Space Ninja to Remove Odors In Your Crawl Space
Do you need help with crawl space encapsulation in Alabama, Georgia, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, or South Carolina? If so, please contact us to schedule your assessment. Also, let us know in the comments below if you’d like to suggest a future blog post.
Contact us if you need help fixing your crawl space, basement, or yard drainage by clicking here.
Become a Crawl Space Ninja Owner!
Learn about Crawl Space Ninja Franchise opportunities.
DIY Crawl Space Repair
Perhaps you’d like to tackle your own crawl space repair. Visit our DIY Store.
