Is Crawl Space Encapsulation Worth It?

You've noticed some issues you need to deal with in your home. It could be a musty smell that comes and goes. You have cold floors and a drafty-feeling house. You've heard that crawl space encapsulation might be the solution, but you're wondering, "Is it worth it?"

At South Central Services, we've insulated hundreds of homes with spray foam in Greencastle, Chambersburg, Waynesboro, and other nearby towns. We've seen the benefits and drawbacks of crawl space encapsulation firsthand. This article will examine the pros and cons of crawl space encapsulation for homes in our service area.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• Benefits of crawl space encapsulation
• Potential drawbacks and costs of crawl space encapsulation
• Alternatives to crawl space encapsulation

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing the crawl space floors and walls with a vapor barrier. The floor vapor barrier is usually made of a high-quality polyethylene material. The walls are insulated with 2 to 3 inches of closed cell spray foam, which also acts as a thermal barrier. The spray foam and plastic sheathing create an airtight seal, effectively adding the crawl space to the home's conditioned space.

The primary goal of encapsulation is to prevent moisture from entering the crawl space. Moisture can lead to many problems, including mold growth, wood rot, and structural damage. By sealing off this area, you're taking a proactive step to protect your home.

Benefits Of Crawl Space Encapsulation

There are numerous benefits to crawl space encapsulation, especially in our climate zone. Encapsulation is the only method for homes in Climate Zone 5 to offer this many benefits and solutions. Here is a preview of the benefits crawl space encapsulation offers.

1. Better indoor air quality
2. Lower energy bills
3. Pest control support
4. Increased home value
5. Increased home comfort
6. Better crawl space accessibility
7. Conditioned space for plumbing

Let's examine each benefit in more detail.

1. Encapsulation Improves Air Quality In The Home And Crawl Space.

One of the most significant benefits of encapsulation is the improvement in indoor air quality. Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments like crawl spaces. Spores can easily circulate throughout your home, causing respiratory issues and allergies.

Encapsulation eliminates this problem at the source, leading to a healthier living environment. By encapsulating, you control the moisture content in your crawl space and prevent mold growth.

2. Encapsulation Lowers Energy Costs.

A poorly insulated crawl space can be a significant energy drain. Cold air can sneak inside during the winter, and hot air can permeate in the summer. Any time air leaks into your home, it forces your HVAC system to work harder. Encapsulation seals off your crawl space and stops the air infiltration. Your HVAC no longer works overtime to combat energy loss, which means lower utility bills.

Over time, your energy savings can even offset the project's initial cost.

3. Encapsulation Assists With Pest Control.

Damp environments are a haven for pests like rodents and insects. Any existing fiberglass insulation in your crawl space ceiling likely has rodents nesting inside. By encapsulating your crawl space, you're removing the conditions that attract these pests in the first place.

You’re also sealing up all the cracks and crevices that could allow pests to enter the crawl space and eventually the home itself. Encapsulation handles any current pest problems and reduces the likelihood of future infestations.

4. Encapsulation Can Increase Home Value.

An encapsulated crawl space is an attractive feature for potential homebuyers. It shows that the home has been well-maintained and is free from many common crawl space issues. Have you ever walked away from a house because of a scary basement or smelly crawl space?

By encapsulating your crawl space, your home can better stand out in a competitive market, potentially increasing its resale value.

5. Encapsulation Increases Comfort In Your Home.

Encapsulation improves the comfort levels in your home. Without encapsulation, air leaks into your home randomly. Air leakage can cause drafts and cold spots and contribute to inconsistent temperatures.

By encapsulating, your crawl space becomes part of the conditioned space of your home. Your temperatures stay more consistent, and cold spots and draftiness are dealt with.

6. Encapsulation Makes Your Crawl Space Easy To Access.

An encapsulated crawl space is cleaner and easier to navigate. The thick plastic sheathing on the ground makes it more accessible for maintenance and inspections. If you have utilities like your HVAC system in your crawl space, this accessibility is incredibly beneficial.

We often recommend keeping a children's winter sled in the crawl space. You can place your tools on the sled and easily drag them through the crawl space, ensuring that the vapor barrier remains intact for an extended period.

7. Encapsulation Provides A Conditioned Space For Plumbing.

Some crawl spaces have plumbing running through them. During the cold winter months, the pipes in your crawl space can freeze. Since the crawl space temperature is dependent on the weather outside of your home, your plumbing and pipes don’t operate in a constant environment.

Encapsulation brings your crawl space into the conditioned space of your home. The temperature and climate of the crawl space is consistent and can be controlled. If you have dealt with frozen pipes before, encapsulation can prevent plumbing problems from occurring again.

Drawbacks Of Crawl Space Encapsulation

With all the benefits of crawl space encapsulation, why would homeowners choose another solution? There are two main reasons why homeowners in southern Pennsylvania do not opt for encapsulation. Let's examine these drawbacks in more detail.

1. Encapsulation Has A High Initial Investment Cost.

The initial cost of encapsulation can be a significant investment, ranging from $5,000 to $16,000. The encapsulation cost depends on various factors, like the size of your crawl space and its condition. For some homeowners, spending several thousand dollars on an unseen area of their home is unthinkable. The cost is either out of budget or feels like a waste of money.

The good news about encapsulation is that it can pay for itself over time through energy savings. However, recouping that investment is a long-term project that could take 7 to 10 years.

2. Encapsulation Does Involve Potential Maintenance.

While encapsulation is generally a long-term solution, it's not entirely maintenance-free. Annual inspections are necessary to ensure the vapor barrier remains intact and the space remains sealed.

Any time the crawl space is accessed, checking the vapor barrier for any tears that may need repairs is good practice. A heavy-duty vapor barrier, such as a 20 mil barrier, should not tear easily. If it does tear, it will need to be repaired.

If your crawl space encapsulation system also includes a dehumidifier, the filter of that dehumidifier will need to be periodically replaced, just like the filters of your HVAC equipment.

Alternative To Encapsulation: Crawl Space Ceiling Insulation

An alternative to encapsulation is insulating the ceiling of your crawl space. The first floor of your house can be insulated with either  spray foam or a more traditional batt. The idea of this method is to seal off the crawl space from the conditioned living area of the home.

Homes with this type of crawl space insulation can face moisture problems. Since the climate of the crawl space cannot be controlled, excess moisture can cause mold, mildew, and wood rot. Any of these problems can compromise the air quality and energy efficiency of a home.

The use of batt insulation can be especially problematic. Batt insulation absorbs moisture. As the batts become heavier, they fall out of the floor joists. Some sections of the floor could have no insulation.

Should You Encapsulate Your Crawl Space?

Before making any decisions, it's crucial to consult with a professional contractor. Many contractors offer free inspections and estimates to help you make the best choice for your home. If you are in our service area, our team will complete a site visit and create a quote for your project for free.

Consider the specific issues you're facing, such as mold growth or high energy bills, and weigh them against the cost and benefits of encapsulation. In our experience, there are few reasons to choose any method besides encapsulation.

If you have to spend the money on your crawl space for the health of you and your home, it is in your best interest to do things the right way.

The Bottom Line About The Value Of Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl space encapsulation offers many benefits, including improved air quality, energy efficiency, pest control, and increased home value. However, it comes with an initial financial investment and can require some ongoing maintenance. Before deciding, consult with professional contractors and carefully assess your home's specific needs. The long-term benefits often make encapsulation a worthwhile investment.

Now that you know the pros and cons of encapsulation, your next step is to:

• Calculate an estimate for encapsulating your crawl space
• Discover how long crawl space encapsulation is supposed to last
• Learn how to save on your encapsulation using a federal tax credit