What would it be if you had to choose one area of your home that you’d prefer to avoid? For many of us, it’s the crawl space. Even the name “crawl space” sounds a bit unappealing. Unfortunately, there’s good reason to check out the crawl space. Up to 50% of the air in your home – the air you and your friends and family breathe – flows up from there.* If your crawl space isn’t encapsulated, that air can be less than desirable: An untreated crawl space can be a breeding ground for microbial growth and an open door to pests and flooding.

So, if you want to make your home more energy efficient and improve the air quality, read on to learn more about crawl space encapsulation.

What is crawl space encapsulation?

According to the dictionary, “encapsulation” means enclosing something as though it were in a capsule. When it comes to your crawl space, encapsulation involves wrapping a water vapor barrier on the floors and walls and turning the crawl space into a clean, dry capsule. The barrier, often made of heavy-duty polyethylene, keeps ground moisture from seeping into the crawl space. An encapsulated crawl space reduces the humid air coming into your living space.

What are the benefits of crawl space encapsulation?

Along with creating a more comfortable environment throughout your home, waterproofing the crawl space through encapsulation helps you avoid potentially costly issues: It reduces the risk of mold and lessens the likelihood that termites or other insects and pests will take up residence and damage your home foundation.

In addition, crawl space encapsulation reduces the risk of flooding. The heavy-duty barrier provides a protective layer that keeps water out, even during the heavy downpours in this part of the country. With encapsulation, the expensive water damage associated with flooding is less likely.

Improving the air quality in the crawl space and throughout your home also helps you maintain the proper humidity, so your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system doesn’t have to work as hard. Less stress on the HVAC helps extend the life of this critical household system and leads to lower utility bills.

Crawl space encapsulation can be an effective solution for homeowners looking to improve the health and safety of their homes. Encapsulating your crawl space can provide many benefits, including improved air quality, increased energy efficiency, and reduced mold, mildew, and insect infestations. By sealing off the crawl space and controlling the temperature and humidity, homeowners can avoid the problems associated with moisture buildup, such as mold growth, wood rot, and pest infestations. Additionally, with an encapsulated crawl space, homeowners can save money on their energy bills due to improved insulation and air sealing. Crawl space encapsulation is a smart investment that can provide long-term benefits for your home.

Who provides crawl space services?

As you might guess, this particular home improvement project isn’t your basic DIY on the weekend chore. Crawl space remediation also isn’t a one-person job. Crawl space remediation To be most effective, professionals should handle crawl space encapsulation.

The basic process of encapsulating a crawl space involves the following:

• Assessing and cleaning the crawl space. The clean-up is important: While the barrier installed during basement encapsulation is strong and sturdy, rocks and sharp debris could damage it and are best removed before installation.
• Measuring and cutting the barrier material to fit the room. This is where the old “measure twice, cut once” rule comes in handy: The material needs to allow for proper overlap and sealing.
• Encapsulating the crawl space. Typically, the barrier material is installed on the foundation walls and ceiling first, then the floor. Particular attention must be paid to the floor joists.
• Maintaining proper humidity. Once the crawl space is fully encapsulated, it’s important to maintain the proper humidity level in the room. Crawl space dehumidifiers can be installed to keep the humidity level at 45-50%.

Best materials for crawl space finishing

Any contractor will tell you that plastic encapsulation is the most effective crawl space material. We recommend installing the plastic vapor barrier with a dehumidifier to regulate the humidity levels. Sourcing the right materials is just as important as the encapsulation process. The professionals at Lee Company can help you find the best encapsulation materials for your crawl space.

Your crawl space is a smart investment

Crawl space encapsulation is an increasingly popular home improvement solution that offers numerous benefits, from improved air quality to energy efficiency. By sealing your crawl space from outside air, you create an insulated environment protected from pests, mold, and mildew. The result is a healthier home and lower energy bills.

Encapsulation also helps to protect your home from flooding and water damage. By sealing off your crawl space and installing a vapor barrier, you create a watertight seal that prevents water from seeping in and damaging your home’s foundation. This added protection helps to keep your home dry and structurally sound.

In addition to all the practical benefits, crawl space encapsulation is a smart investment. It helps to increase the value of your home and can even lower your insurance premiums. Many homeowners also report lower energy bills after encapsulating their crawl space, making it an especially cost-effective solution.

Overall, encapsulation is a smart investment that offers numerous benefits. It helps to protect your home from water damage, improves air quality, and even lowers energy bills. If you’re looking for a cost-effective home improvement solution, crawl space encapsulation is worth considering.

Crawl space encapsulation services

Lee Company professionals are trained and experienced in crawl space encapsulation. Contact us today to learn how our team can help you protect your home investment – from the crawl space on up!

*Source: Advanced Energy. Crawl Space Characterization. 2005