Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl space encapsulation is a technique that seals your crawl space from moisture. Using thick sheets of polyethylene plastic, crawl space professionals seal your crawl space from a myriad of problems, including leaks, water damage, and dry rot.

True to its name, crawl space encapsulation includes covering the floor, walls, and ceiling of your crawl space, preventing damage to your house’s foundation and structural beams.

Homes in rainy or humid climates are especially at risk for the many forms of water damage, including…

• Dry rot
• Mold, mildew, and fungi
• Flooding
• Musty odors

Additionally, encapsulating your crawl space can help prevent foundation cracks, sweating windows, pests, insects, and high energy costs.

Crawl space encapsulation will protect your home (and your investment) for years to come, giving you peace of mind that you and your home are safe.

Encapsulation is necessary if you have sweating ducts, water damage, mold, dry rot, cupping floors, or high wood moisture content. You need a sealed crawl space with a vapor barrier and a dehumidifier to fix these issues and prevent them from reoccurring. It is important to identify and prevent these issues early before extensive, more expensive damage occurs.

In addition to protecting your home from water damage, mold, mildew, and structural damage from dry rot, encapsulating your crawl space has the following benefits:

Improved air quality

This is especially important if someone in your home has breathing problems. But anyone can suffer from breathing contaminated air resulting from mold spores. Protect yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness from mold and mildew growth under your home.

Structural integrity

Aside from preventing dry rot that can weaken your home’s wood support beams, sealing your crawl space can also prevent other pests like termites or carpenter ants from damaging your home’s structural integrity.

More comfortable indoor environment

Reducing moisture underneath your house can also reduce excess moisture inside your house, making a more comfortable place to live. Your home will also stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Increased energy efficiency

Sealing your home from underneath will also help you save on heating and cooling costs each month. Crawl space encapsulation seals your home from moisture and the elements from outside while keeping your home’s interior a comfortable temperature without going over budget each month.

Additional storage

With an encapsulated crawl space, you can use the space under your house for storage without worrying about things getting ruined from moisture or pests.

When you hire Crawlspace Medic, what can you expect? Here’s what happens:

• Full inspection
• Thorough cleaning
• New insulation
• Application of heavy moisture and vapor barrier
• Dehumidifier installation

We’ll waterproof your crawl space, turning your vented crawl space into a tight and secure encapsulated crawl space to protect your home for years to come.

In an encapsulated crawl space, crawl space vents should be CLOSED and sealed with a vent cover. If they are left open, this prevents your encapsulation system from working properly.

On home with vents and NO encapsulation, it may be useful to keep the vents open to have some airflow in the crawl space, but this depends mainly on the climate of the area the home is built in. Schedule a crawl space inspection today if you are unsure whether or not your home should have open or closed vents.