Incomplete Encapsulation?

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Reelsix

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Hi - I recently had my crawlspace encapsulated. The installer said that they were not able to raise the air handler/furnace and have the poly extend below the unit. This decision has left a small section that is not covered with poly and small area of dirt is exposed around the unit. My concern is that by not having a continuous poly barrier the very expensive work that was done will be for naught and the benefits of an encapsulated crawlspace will not be seen.

Would this be the case? Or is 95% coverage likely good enough?

Thanks
 
Hi - It looks like it is sitting on the dirt from what I can tell. Maybe some sort of pad under it but definitely not concrete. From what I can tell, they either have to pick it up and go under or would have to seal directly to the unit which seems like a bad idea or not doable to be able to access filter doors etc.

Big issue that it is incomplete? Thanks
 
Reelsix said:
Hi - It looks like it is sitting on the dirt from what I can tell. Maybe some sort of pad under it but definitely not concrete. From what I can tell, they either have to pick it up and go under or would have to seal directly to the unit which seems like a bad idea or not doable to be able to access filter doors etc.

Big issue that it is incomplete? Thanks
Click to expand...
Put a brace from the top of the furnace to a floor joist so it can't lean and dig out under it half way , Roll up a square of poly and put it under there half way and block up the furnace with concrete landscape pads.
Move the brace to the other side dig it out unroll the poly and block up that side. Tape the poly down> it should overlap 1 foot.
 
nealtw said:
Put a brace from the top of the furnace to a floor joist so it can't lean and dig out under it half way , Roll up a square of poly and put it under there half way and block up the furnace with concrete landscape pads.
Move the brace to the other side dig it out unroll the poly and block up that side. Tape the poly down> it should overlap 1 foot.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice on how to repair. The crawl is very tight so this would be a difficult process (which is why I am sure the contractor avoided it). Does having a small gap in the poly negate the benefits of the encapsulation?
 
Reelsix said:
Thanks for the advice on how to repair. The crawl is very tight so this would be a difficult process (which is why I am sure the contractor avoided it). Does having a small gap in the poly negate the benefits of the encapsulation?
Click to expand...
Vapour under the poly would I am sure find a way out if you leave an opening.
 
Since you now know how to do this from the information in this post, call your contractor and tell them that you want the plastic under the unit. You should not have to do it yourself unless you were told before the contract was signed that they would not put the plastic under the unit. If your check has not cleared stop payment on it until work is completed.
 
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