What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation? Everything You Need to Know

Your crawl space might be out of sight, but if you ignore it for too long, it can fill up with moisture, mold, and all manner of unpleasant things. If you aren't careful, these things can get into your home, too.

An Encapsulated Crawl Space keeps these problems from happening.

But what is crawl space encapsulation and how does it work? We've put together this guide to help you find out.

So let's get started!

How Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Work?

A crawl space is a hollow area beneath your home that separates your floor structure from the dirt ground. This space is usually about one to three feet tall, and it holds all those things that would normally go in a basement, such as electrical work, plumbing, the HVAC system, insulation, etc.

But if you don't maintain it, this space can also fill up with moisture and mold.

The air in your crawl space then flows into your home, carrying mold spores, cold drafts, and humidity with it. This air can spread mold growth through the rest of your home and even put your health at risk.

That's why encapsulation is so important.

When you encapsulate your crawl space, you create an air-tight barrier between your home and the open space beneath it. This prevents the passage of air between your home and the crawl space, and it also keeps the crawl space dry and clean.

Encapsulating your crawl space can benefit your home in a number of ways. Here's a quick look at some of the best ones.

Keeps Your Home Comfortable

The air in a vented crawl space can be damp and musty. If this air gets into your home, your entire house can feel humid and smelly.

Since encapsulating your crawl space conditions this air, it also keeps your home more comfortable.

Saves You Money on Your Energy Bill

If your home is full of damp, cold air, you'll have to run your heater for longer periods of time to keep your home comfortable in the winter. This means your spending extra money on energy costs.

When you encapsulate your crawl space, you can turn your HVAC system off more often. Because of this, you'll save money at the end of every month.

Prevents Mold Growth

Encapsulating your crawl space keeps the area dry, meaning the mold will stop growing down there. It also prevents damp air from passing through your home, so you won't have to worry about mold growing inside your home either.

Improves the Indoor Air Quality of Your Home

If your crawl space is moldy, those mold spores get carried up into your home. In other words, you're breathing them in every day, which can be dangerous for your health.

When you encapsulated your crawl space, you cut off the passage of air between your crawl space and your home. This means you stop breathing in the damp and dirty air.

Keeps the Pests Out

Your crawl space is an attractive home for pests, such as rats or insects. Once these pests get into your crawl space, they can find a way into your home as well.

These pests won't only damage your home and eat your food, they can also pose a threat to your health. Encapsulating your home seals off your crawl space from the outside, which deters any pests from getting into your home.

Raises the Value of Your Home

Since crawl space encapsulation keeps your crawl space clean and your home safe, it also raises the value of your home. Buyers will be willing to spend more money on a home with an encapsulated crawl space when it comes time to sell.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an Encapsulated Crawl Space?

The average cost for encapsulating your crawl space is about $7,000, but the price can get lower or higher depending on the specifics of the job.

For example, you'll have to spend more money on materials and labor if your crawl space is larger than normal or extra difficult to work in. This includes things like a polyethylene barrier, sealing tape, a dehumidifier, etc.

If your crawl space is dirty, full of water, or infested with pests, you'll also have to pay to get it cleaned out before you can encapsulate it. This will make the price go up.

It's a good idea to talk to a professional and get a quote before you start the job. This will help you create an accurate budget.

Can You Encapsulate Your Crawl Space on Your Own?

You can encapsulate your crawl space on your own, but it isn't a good idea.

Crawl space encapsulation is a tricky job. On top of that, you won't have a lot of space to move around, which makes the job even harder.

You'll also have to buy all the right supplies before you start, and that can be a hefty expense. If you don't have experience encapsulating crawl spaces, it can also be difficult to create a completely air-tight seal around the space.

Even a small mistake can cost you a lot of time and money. You'll probably have to hire a professional to come fix the mistakes in the end, which means you'll be spending twice as much money in the long run.

You'll save more money and more time by hiring a professional in the beginning.

Taking the First Steps Toward Crawl Space Encapsulation

The first step of getting an encapsulated crawl space is finding the right company for the job. You'll want someone with experience that offers quality services you know you can trust. From Crawl Space Encapsulation to Crawl Space Mold Removal, BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair is your trusted partner throughout the entire Hampton Roads Region.

Not sure where to look?

We've got you covered! Don't hesitate to reach out to us today for a free quote!