Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Avoid A DIY Crawl Space Encapsulation
You may have recently discovered that your crawlspace is a potential health hazard. You’re concerned about moisture, temperature control issues, and pests. Now what?
Crawl space encapsulation is a great way to keep all of these health hazards under control. A fullly encapsulated crawl space can keep nature out and protect your home’s structure and indoor air quality.
Is it simple enough to do on your own? While DIY crawl space encapsulation may seem tempting, we’re here to tell you that it’s not your best choice.
Read on for seven reasons to avoid DIY crawl space encapsulation and leave this job to the pros.
1. Your Crawl Space Isn’t Safe
Crawl spaces got their name for a reason! Most crawl spaces have a vertical clearance of no more than three feet, making it impossible to stand up and difficult to get around.
If you don’t have the right equipment and experience, you can easily get injured trying to install a vapor barrier in such a tight space. On top of that, an unencapsulated crawl space isn’t great for your respiratory system due to things like:
- Mold and mildew
- Dirt and dust
- Pests and pest droppings
- Old or damaged building materials
We don’t recommend going into an unencapsulated crawl space without the right gear. That includes, at the very least, a respirator. A typical face mask usually isn’t enough.
2. You May Need Water Removal
Along the coast, we see more than our fair share of water damage. High humidity levels, rainfall, and even flooding lead to crawl space issues like standing water. If you’ve got a small lagoon in your crawl space, DIY methods certainly aren’t going to cut it.
The problem is that you can’t install your vapor barrier over standing water and call it a day. You have to start with water removal, which involves pumping out the existing water and, more often than not, installing a sump pump for long-term removal.
You’ll also need to dry and sanitize the area to prevent mold growth and eliminate existing mold spores. Otherwise, your vapor barrier is going to do little more than facilitate the rapid development of a mold colony.
3. It’s Easy to Overlook Foundation Damage
The foundation of your home has some major responsibilities. Even small amounts of damage, like minor sinking or cracking, can have a major ripple effect, especially if left unaddressed.
One of the biggest benefits of working with professionals like BAY Crawl Space is that they have experience with foundation repair as well as crawl space encapsulation. When they’re taking early precautions, like checking for mold and standing water, they’ll also look for signs of foundation damage.
Unless you have experience in this area, it’s easy to overlook signs of foundation damage. That means you’ll miss a key opportunity to invest in early mitigation and repairs.
4. Crawl Space Encapsulation Isn’t a One-Person Job
Do you plan to enlist help with your DIY crawl space encapsulation? Are you going to ask other members of your household to watch DIY videos or read DIY guides?
If the answer is no, stop what you’re doing. You may have read that the typical crawl space encapsulation timeline is between one and three days. This timeline reflects how fast professionals can work, and they’re working as a team.
As you can imagine, having multiple people in a crawl space makes it even harder to move around freely. Skip the claustrophobia and let a team of professionals handle the job.
5. Vapor Barriers Aren’t Insulation
Encapsulating your crawl space can improve your home’s energy efficiency. Adding a barrier to an otherwise exposed area can reduce heating and cooling loss while keeping outdoor temperatures out.
If you don’t have the proper crawl space insulation, the vapor barrier will not be enough on its own. You will also need to install crawl space insulation for more protection, better energy efficiency, & to meet building code requirements.
When you hire professionals, you can customize your services to include things like drainage systems, vent covers, and, yes, insulation.
6. DIY Work Doesn’t Come With Warranties
Crawl space encapsulation costs vary on factors like the size and state of your crawl space and other services you may need. For some homeowners, it can cost as little as $1500, while others can expect to pay more.
Many homeowners consider DIY projects as a way to save money. It is true that you can reduce upfront costs when you don’t have to pay for professional labor. However, long-term savings don’t hold up.
Not only are you less likely to get all crawl space encapsulation benefits when you use DIY methods, but you also won’t have the added protection of a crawl space encapsulation warranty. When professionals install your vapor barrier, you can often get free or low-cost services to correct certain issues.
7. DIY Work May Not Increase Home Value
In a place like the Chesapeake Bay region, a well-installed crawl space encapsulation system can increase your home value. Some experts estimate that these kinds of upgrades can increase your home value by as much as 10%.
However, DIY upgrades don’t often yield the same value increase. They may not last as long or reap the same benefits. In some cases, a DIY project can reduce your home’s value because buyers see it as something they’ll need to undo.
If you want to recoup the cost, professional crawl space encapsulation is your best option. You may see upfront savings thanks to increased energy efficiency and a solid ROI when you’re ready to sell your home.
Skip DIY Crawl Space Encapsulation and Call BAY Crawl Space
Moisture and pests are a major problem for coastal area homes. Encapsulating your crawl space is a great way to protect everything from your indoor air quality to your energy bills, but DIY crawl space encapsulation isn’t the way to go.
Instead, call BAY Crawl Space for the #1 rated crawl space encapsulation services in the region. We offer comprehensive services to ensure full-home protection from foundation and crawl space issues and we offer some of the best prices around. Request your free inspection to get started.