Have you ever thought about the hidden world beneath your home’s floorboards? Lurking in the dark depths of most Tennessee homes lies something few homeowners think about until a problem arises: the crawl space.

From rotting joists and beams to allergens like pollen, dust mites, and animal droppings, the list of common crawl space problems is long and varied. And these issues can wreak havoc on your home’s energy efficiency, air quality, and structural integrity.

Fortunately, crawl space encapsulation is a fantastic way to protect this nether region of your home and avoid these problems. Let’s take a look at some of the most common crawl space problems and how encapsulation can help.

Crawl Spaces in Tennessee: A Hotbed for Problems

If you’re concerned about the climbing energy costs associated with an inefficient home, crawl space issues can be a major contributor.

In Tennessee, nearly every home has a heater and air conditioner. And this equipment contributes to about 53% of your home’s energy consumption. But if your crawl space is leaky, the air you’re heating or cooling will be lost in the void beneath your floors.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, poorly sealed and insulated crawl spaces can account for up to 30% of your home’s energy loss. And if your ducts are not insulated and pass through unheated spaces (like your crawlspace), as much as 60% of your heated air can be lost before it reaches your living spaces. What a waste of energy and money!

Speaking of money, crawl space encapsulation is an investment that protects your home from other unnecessary expenses like:

1. Costly structural repairs

Steer clear of the nightmare scenario of rotting joists and damaged plumbing, wiring, or insulation. By encapsulating your crawl space, you’re investing in the integrity and longevity of your home’s structure, saving your wallet from the financial strain of major repair work.

2. Pest control expenses

Don’t let your crawl space become a luxury resort for pests. Without the proper barrier protection in place, critters like rodents, termites, snakes, and ants can easily find their way in. Encapsulation is a “No Vacancy” sign for pests that saves you from expensive extermination services.

3. Medical bills

Your crawl space is the source of over 40% of the air you breathe. Poor air quality due to mold and mildew growth in your crawl space can lead to health issues such as allergies and respiratory problems. Encapsulation acts as your home’s immune system, defending against allergens and airborne particles that put your family’s health at risk.

4. Water damage repairs

Bad weather can strike at any time in our neck of the woods. And if your crawl space is not sealed up correctly, there’s a risk of water damage from flooding and groundwater seepage. Encapsulation acts as a waterproof barrier, protecting you from water damage repairs.

5. Replacement of valuables

From flooring and furniture to important documents and keepsakes, valuables can be damaged due to moisture, mold, and mildew from your crawl space. With encapsulation, you’re safeguarding your cherished possessions and avoiding the heartache and expense of replacing items with sentimental or financial value.

6. Decreased home value

If you ever decide to sell your home, a damp and moldy crawl space is a big turn-off for potential buyers, decreasing your property’s value. Sell not just a house but a well-protected fortress. Encapsulation helps preserve and even enhance your home’s value.

With all these benefits in mind, crawl space encapsulation is worth the cost!

Decoding the Difference: Crawl Space Encapsulation vs Insulation

In the labyrinth of home maintenance, the terms encapsulation and insulation often cross paths, leading to a common cause of confusion for many homeowners. Although they both serve crucial roles in creating a comfortable, energy-efficient home, they have distinct functions.

Simply put, insulation is like a cozy blanket for your home. Its primary role is to resist the transfer of heat, keeping your living spaces warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It’s typically installed in your walls, ceilings, and your crawl space. Insulation in your crawl space helps to minimize the heat transfer between your home’s interior and the outside world, contributing to a more stable and comfortable indoor temperature.

On the flip side, while insulation wraps your home in a thermal blanket, encapsulation seals your crawl space in a protective shield. Both are critical to maintaining a comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient home, but they play very different roles in that mission.

There’s no rule that says you can’t use both in your crawl space to get the best of both worlds. However, certain encapsulation projects may involve removing insulation to address moisture-related issues. Moisture can become trapped between the insulation and the subfloor, leading to foul odors once the insulation dries out.

By removing the affected insulation, you eliminate the source of moisture and prevent future issues like mold and rot to your joists.

Not all encapsulation projects require insulation removal. In cases where the insulation remains dry and intact, it’s typically left in place, especially in vented crawl spaces.

What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Now that you understand the havoc crawl space problems can unleash, it’s time to tackle them head-on. But what exactly is encapsulation, and how does it work to protect your home? Let’s break it down.

Encapsulation works by transforming your crawl space into a clean, dry, and controlled environment by placing a protective shield around it. This barrier is created by installing a heavy-duty, puncture-resistant polyethylene vapor barrier on the crawl space floor, walls, and piers. The vapor barrier is designed to block moisture and humidity, keeping your crawl space dry and uninviting to pests.

Encapsulation also includes sealing all the vents, doors, and other openings to prevent outside air from entering, creating a controlled environment that maintains a consistent temperature and humidity level.

So, how does encapsulation work its magic? It’s a four-step process:

1. Crawl Space Clean-Up: First, the crawl space is assessed and cleaned. This is an essential step because while the vapor barrier installed during encapsulation is tough, it can be damaged by sharp rocks and debris. These potential hazards are best removed before installation to ensure the longevity of the barrier.
2. Sealing the Space: As mentioned earlier, encapsulation starts by sealing all the vents, doors, and openings in the crawl space. This step is crucial in keeping outside air and moisture from wreaking havoc on your home’s structure and indoor air quality.
3. Laying the Vapor Barrier: Next, a high-quality vapor barrier is installed on the floor, walls, and piers of your crawl space. This barrier acts as a moisture and humidity fortress, ensuring your crawl space remains dry and unappealing to unwanted pests.
4. Climate Control: Lastly, a dehumidifier or a crawl space conditioning system is installed to regulate temperature and humidity. This step ensures that your crawl space maintains a consistent environment, discouraging mold growth and improving your home’s energy efficiency.

Understanding the Vapor Barrier

If you’re considering crawl space encapsulation, meet the unsung hero of the process – the vapor barrier. This isn’t your ordinary plastic sheeting; it’s a durable, specialized material designed to resist moisture and safeguard your home.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Vapor Barriers: Standard vapor barriers for encapsulation start at a hearty 10mm thickness, far sturdier than typical plastic sheeting. In comparison, painter’s plastic is only 1- or 2mm thick.
• Perm Ratings: All vapor barriers let some moisture through. The trick is to find one that permits the least. Lower perm ratings mean less moisture seepage.
• Class 1 is Best: Vapor barriers fall into three classes based on perm ratings. Class 1, with a perm rating of 0.1 or less, is the gold standard for crawl spaces.
• Avoid the Ammonia Stench: Quality is key! Cheaper barriers can off-gas an unpleasant, ammonia-like smell that some people compare to cat urine… Not a smell you want anywhere near your home!
• Reinforcement Isn’t Always Better: Rather than tear resistance, prioritize puncture resistance. After all, your vapor barrier isn’t going into battle — it’s just lying on the ground!

Remember, a good vapor barrier is a critical piece of the encapsulation puzzle. Together with proper humidity control and possibly yard drainage or crawl space waterproofing, it’s a powerful ally in protecting your home.

Choosing the Right Crawl Space Encapsulation Contractor

Now that you’re sold on the idea of encapsulating your crawl space, it’s time to find the perfect contractor for the job. But this isn’t a decision to be taken lightly — you want an experienced and knowledgeable contractor who can do the job correctly and save you time and money.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when selecting a Tennessee contractor for crawl space encapsulation:

1. Experience

A contractor’s experience is crucial in the crawl space encapsulation process. Ask about the number of encapsulation projects they’ve completed and how long they’ve been in business. Experienced contractors will have a proven track record and a better understanding of the unique challenges associated with Tennessee homes.

With 8 decades of experience, Lee Company is a top choice for your crawl space encapsulation needs. We even have the awards to prove it!

2. Licensing and insurance

Make sure the contractor you hire is properly licensed and insured before signing a contract. You never want to risk your home with an unlicensed contractor. They may not be up to date on the regulations and codes in your area. And if something goes wrong and they’re not insured, you’ll be on the hook for the costs.

Lee Company is licensed and insured, offering you the peace of mind that comes with dealing with a trusted provider.

3. Reviews and testimonials

A strong reputation is worth its weight in gold. Online reviews and testimonials can give you insight into the contractor’s professionalism, work ethic, and reliability. They can also shed light on what the process was like and the quality of the results.

Lee Company has over 1,200 reviews and a 4.7 -star rating on Angi’s alone! Read them here.

4. Price

It’s tempting to choose a contractor based solely on price… But beware of any quotes that are too low. A low-cost contractor may use inferior materials or cut corners to save money, which could end up costing you more in the long run.

Taking the time to carefully evaluate each of these factors when selecting a crawl space encapsulation contractor will help you make an informed decision. In the end, the right contractor will make all the difference in protecting your home and making it as comfortable, efficient, and safe as possible.

Should I Encapsulate My Crawl Space?

You might be wondering, “How do I know if my home needs crawl space encapsulation?” Some homes have crawl spaces that are prone to problems and require encapsulation, while others might be doing just fine. The indicators below might mean it’s time to invest in this protective measure:

• Musty Odors: The first clue often comes to your nose. If you notice a persistent damp, musty smell in your home, particularly in the lower levels, it’s likely that moisture is accumulating in your crawl space.
• High Humidity Levels: Is your home feeling more like a tropical rainforest? High indoor humidity can be a strong indicator of crawl space moisture issues.
• Cold Floors: If your floors are constantly cold, even in the warmer months, it could be a sign of poor insulation and air leakage in your crawl space.
• Visible Mold or Mildew: If you spot mold or mildew on the lower levels of your home, or worse, in the crawl space itself, it’s time to consider encapsulation.
• Pest Infestations: Regularly finding critters in your home? They might be setting up shop in your damp crawl space.

Feeling a connection to these crawl space woes? Don’t wait until the problems under your floorboards become too big to handle.

Lee Company has been around since 1944, and we’ve handled hundreds of crawl space encapsulation projects in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Our experienced team of specialists will ensure your crawl space is sealed and protected for years. Contact us today to learn more about our crawl space encapsulation services.