Why You Should Encapsulate Your Crawl Space

Does your home have a musty odor you've gone nose blind to? Are your floors cold in the winter? Do you spend more money than you'd like on heating and cooling every year? Your crawl space is likely contributing to all of these issues. By encapsulating your crawl space, you can solve these problems and enjoy other benefits of crawl space encapsulation.

South Central Services has installed spray foam insulation in hundreds of homes. In our service area of southern Pennsylvania, few crawl spaces are encapsulated. Many homeowners work with us specifically to encapsulate their crawl space or have us encapsulate their crawl space while we insulate other areas of their homes.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• The key benefits of crawl space encapsulation
• How the encapsulation process works
• The impact on your home's energy efficiency

What Often Happens Without Crawl Space Encapsulation

Your crawl space might be out of sight, but it shouldn't be out of mind. Crawl spaces can harbor moisture, leading to mold growth and structural damage. It can also become a breeding ground for pests.

The crawl space is a neglected area in many homes, but its condition significantly impacts the rest of the house. From wood rot to pest infestations, a poorly maintained crawl space can lead to many expensive problems.

How Crawl Space Encapsulation Works

Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing the crawl space with a vapor barrier on the floor and 2 to 3 inches of closed cell spray foam on the walls. The closed cell foam on the walls provides a vapor barrier and a thermal barrier. The ceiling is not insulated because the crawl space becomes part of the conditioned envelope of the house.

Encapsulation effectively isolates the crawl space from the external environment, making it easier to control humidity and temperature. By controlling the temperature and moisture in your crawl space, you can prevent mold growth and structural problems. Encapsulation also prevents the entry and burrowing of pests.

Are There Risks With Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Any time you invest in a home improvement project, you should know about potential problems. Are there any risks involved with a crawl space encapsulation gone wrong?

When done correctly, crawl space encapsulation does not have any risks. If the encapsulation is done incorrectly, you could have excess humidity build up. However, there are no problems crawl space encapsulation can cause that crawl spaces are not already facing.

The most significant risk related to crawl space encapsulation is wasting your money on a poor encapsulation job. Encapsulation is a costly undertaking. You do not want to spend time and materials on an ineffective encapsulation that does not solve your pest and moisture problems.

Are There Alternatives To Crawl Space Encapsulation?

There are alternatives to crawl space encapsulation. One popular solution in our service area is vented crawl spaces. Unfortunately, vented crawl spaces cannot solve all of the issues that crawl spaces face.

Vented crawl spaces usually have some thin plastic placed on the floor. The plastic is not thick enough to provide a vapor barrier, nor is the plastic sealed. Vented crawl spaces also have vent holes around the foundation, allowing air in at will. External factors like moisture from the ground, ventilation, and outside temperature dictate the climate in a vented crawl space.

Because the crawl space is not sealed off, the environment and air quality of the crawl space will impact the temperature and air quality of your home.

In southern Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas, we recommend encapsulation for crawl spaces. Due to the climate we live in, encapsulation is the only method to address the problems crawl spaces cause.

7 Key Benefits Of Crawl Space Encapsulation

Encapsulating your crawl space offers a range of benefits that not only improve the quality of your home but also contribute to a healthier and more comfortable living environment.

We've mentioned several benefits of encapsulation in passing. Let's examine these advantages in more detail.

1. Crawl Space Encapsulation Significantly Improves Indoor Air Quality

Encapsulating your crawl space can significantly improve the air quality in your home. By sealing off the area, you prevent the entry of moisture, which in turn inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. Your home will pull cool air from your crawl space into your home.

Encapsulation leads to cleaner, healthier air circulating throughout your home, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and allergies.

2. Crawl Space Encapsulation Contributes To Overall Energy Efficiency

One of the most immediate benefits you'll notice after encapsulating your crawl space is the increase in energy efficiency. The insulation provided by the vapor barriers and closed cell spray foam helps maintain a consistent temperature in your home, reducing the workload on your HVAC system and ultimately lowering your energy bills.

3. Crawl Space Encapsulation Provides Necessary Moisture Control

By sealing off your crawl space, you effectively lock out the moisture that would otherwise seep into your home. Encapsulation helps to prevent water damage, wood rot, and the growth of mold and mildew.

Excess moisture in your crawl space can have long-term detrimental effects on your home's structure. You can also avoid unwanted humidity circulating through your home because the air pulled from your crawl space is moisture-controlled.

4. Crawl Space Encapsulation Increases Home Comfort By Stopping Cold Air

Encapsulation can also make your home more comfortable. Maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity level in the crawl space means experiencing fewer drafts and cold spots in your home. In southern Pennsylvania, the comfort in your home can often depend on the season.

Encapsulation makes for a more pleasant living environment year-round.

5. Crawl Space Encapsulation Can Enhance Your Resale Value

An encapsulated crawl space is an attractive feature for potential homebuyers. It indicates the home has been well-maintained and offers the benefits of improved air quality and energy efficiency.

An encapsulated crawl space is also less intimidating than the average crawl space. You may increase the resale value of your home by encapsulating your crawl space. If you plan on moving one day, encapsulation may help pay for itself by increasing resale value.

6. Crawl Space Encapsulation Makes The Area Accessible And Clean

An encapsulated crawl space is more accessible for repairs and inspections. For many homeowners, HVAC equipment is located in the crawl space. If you need to perform any maintenance, an encapsulated crawl space is easier to navigate.

A clean and dry environment is more inviting than a dirty and dusty floor.

7. Crawl Space Encapsulation Improves Pest Control

The average crawl space is home to critters like spiders and rodents. Many crawl spaces have fiberglass batts in the ceiling, where mice and rats make themselves at home. When a crawl space is open to outside air and temperatures, pests find ways inside and hang out among the dirt and rocks.

Encapsulation seals off the entryways for critters, preventing future infestations. The encapsulation process will also remove any existing insulation housing bugs and rodents.

Can You DIY Crawl Space Encapsulation?

While it's possible to undertake crawl space encapsulation as a DIY project, the process does require a high level of precision. Encapsulated crawl spaces must be properly sealed. The seam where the floor vapor barrier meets the wall insulation is often overlooked. Even a small mistake can compromise the effectiveness of the encapsulation.

Crawl spaces can also be uncomfortable to complete as a DIY project. Even if you have a lot of home improvement project experience, the cramped nature of crawl spaces can make encapsulation a frustrating experience.

The Bottom Line About Why You Should Encapsulate Your Crawl Space

Crawl space encapsulation is an investment in your home's long-term health and efficiency. Encapsulation can lower your energy bills, improve indoor air quality, and make your home more comfortable year-round. If your crawl space is causing issues for your family and home, encapsulation will solve those problems.

If you're still on the fence about encapsulation, consider a home energy audit. A professional auditor can help determine if you should prioritize crawl space encapsulation. Through an audit, you may discover that insulating your attic is the better investment to focus on first.

Now that you've learned about the benefits of encapsulation, your next step is to:

• Calculate an estimate of encapsulating your crawl space
• Compare the encapsulation method with other crawl space solutions
• Discover how much you can save on encapsulation through a federal tax credit