total encapsulation

[dbug10]

i am a termite tech from sc i have always been told to only cover 80 % of the crawl space area what logic is behind this system and how would it affect say hardwood floors i have seen them buckle from the crawl space being to dry ie wood moisture readings aroud 5 to 8 % to me it sounds like a good system especially in a crawl space that is extreamly dusty but why would you close of the vents under the house once again i have been told you want the foundation to be able to breath i applyed to be a dealer for you as we do tons of warterprofing and french drains but im somewhat confused im not objected to change though one other question how would you do a complete termite inspection when you couldnt be able to see the foundation wall and also i dont know how our regulatory would fell about total encapsulation im pretty sure there is some debate over that in our state but please send me some info as i stated before im ready to push your product if you convince me thanks

[RB2002SS]

Hi Debug
I also am and have been a SC PCO and had the same questions that you have posed on this site. How do we inspect for termites after encapsulation??, how do we treat the home (with liqs) after encapsulation??etc. but since that time I have become a dealer for Cleanspace as well as have the opportunity to discuss my concerns with several people involved like The incredible Basement Systems Staff , Bruce Davis with Advance Energy, Dr Craig Dewitt Clemson, Larry Elkins w/ Applied Building Sciences, James Houser Assist. Director for Chas County and have came to the conclusion that its not a problem just another challenge. (something that you should be used to as a PCO as Im sure you run into many challenges as I have) I am also presently President of the Greater Charleston Pest Control Association as well as a director for Chas, Berkley and Dorchester counties for the SCPCA Board and have had numerous discussions with other board members as well as regulatory officials. I guess I look at it in a different lite than some : When inspecting an unencapsulated crawlspace , you have numerous items to attract your eyes focus ie: pipes, 200 ln ft of foundation walls, piers, hanging insulation, wires and of course as we crawl we look for snakes, and other things that bump in the night lol but the point being that there are many things that draw our eyes therefore the way I see it "we are looking for that needle in a 1500 sq ft hay stack. but after the installation we now only have to focus on the termite insp window provided (brite white so u can see a tube) which in my opinion enhances the opportunity to see the tubes we have might have missed as well as from the standpoint of slabs, well how many have you been under? so as you can see encapsulation concerns are only challenges that provide results that can be beneficial to our inspection process being the fact that we have also removed alot of the conducive factors to termites that concern us so. To summerize: I believe it is a true solution to most moisture problems and in comparison to the standard moisture control strategies we have been providing the questions isnt if we should switch to encapulation work for moisture control but WHEN we should do it. Sorry for the long windedness but as you can tell Im pretty convinced myself- Feel free to contact me at 843-442-5085 if you would like to discuss this further.
Thx
Randy