Your crawl space is an essential part of your home’s structure. When it is in good condition, you can also turn it into a storage unit for your belongings. However, these small spaces can cause expensive repairs when they are invaded by water. Therefore, the most effective solution is to encapsulate the crawl space to avoid moisture intrusion and stop breeding insects and pests from entering your home.
But what is crawl space encapsulation? Let’s find out.
A crawl space encapsulation involves sealing and insulating your crawl space with a heavy-duty polyethylene vapor barrier. The protective layer keeps the water at bay and protects your crawl space from moisture intrusion. After encapsulation, homeowners enjoy many benefits, such as a clean, hygienic crawl space with no signs of mold or pest infestation and improved air quality and energy efficiency.
So if you are thinking about encapsulating your crawl area, here is a list of crawl space encapsulation pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of Crawl Space Encapsulation
An investment in crawl space encapsulation offers many long-term benefits. After encapsulating your crawl space, you not only get comfortable and unobstructed access to it but also enjoy a cleaner, more hygienic crawl space area with improved air quality and reduced chances of allergies and respiratory issues.
Here are some additional advantages of crawl space encapsulation:
1. Reduced Moisture Levels
Crawl spaces are prone to moisture, and this is quite common in many homes. Excess moisture in the crawl space damages your home’s ductwork, electrical wires, and insulation system. You can deal with high levels of moisture by investing in crawl space encapsulation. After encapsulation, the vapor barrier prevents moisture penetration into your crawl space from various sources like ground soil, foundation wall cracks, and crawl space vents. Consequently, you get a dry, moisture-proof crawl space with no signs of mold and pests.
2. Improved Air Quality
The quality of air circulating your home is affected by the condition of your crawl space. Roughly 60% of the indoor air in your home comes from your crawl area. If your crawl space is moist, hot air travels up to your home and enters your living space, along with mold spores. Your family may suffer from unexplained skin allergies, headaches, and respiratory problems. However, you can prevent long-term health issues and enjoy improved air quality after encapsulating your crawl space because the vapor barrier helps to maintain a dry crawl space.
3. Prevention of Pest Infestation
A wet crawl space becomes a suitable environment for pests like cockroaches, crickets, rats, and moles to flourish. From there, they can easily find their way into your living space. By sealing your crawl space, you can keep your home safe from all pests.
4. Increased Home Value
Crawl space increases your home’s value. Homeowners do not want to experience any crawl space issues after buying a new home, so they prioritize energy-efficient homes with no signs of moisture problems and enhanced indoor air quality.
5. Cuts Heating and Cooling Costs
Encapsulation helps keep the temperature and humidity in your crawl space consistent. As a result, your living space will be more comfortable while consuming less energy.
6. Prevents Mold and Mildew Growth
A muggy crawl space is an excellent breeding ground for mold and mildew. When your crawl space is wet, mold breeds faster as it feeds on organic matter like wood. You can control moisture by encapsulating the crawl space. A dry crawl space prevents mold and mildew growth. Therefore, encapsulation helps you get rid of unpleasant and musty odors coming from the crawl space into your living area.
Cons of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Although a crawl space encapsulation is beneficial for your home in the long run, it can pose some temporary disadvantages, which are:
1. The Cost
Your crawl space’s size and condition determine the cost of encapsulation. However, generally, encapsulating a crawl space can be quite expensive because it involves skilled labor and high-quality materials. It may also involve preliminary repair work like sealing foundation cracks, waterproofing, and structural repairs. That is why it’s crucial to hire professionals who can do the job efficiently.
2. Limited Access
After encapsulation, you may have limited access to the crawl space, and it may be difficult to fix any plumbing or wiring issues without breaking the barrier. Moreover, you may find it difficult to access the crawl space by yourself for routine checkups to detect any leaks or damage. That is why professional oversight is important for periodic checkups.
3. Needs More Maintenance
If you do not maintain your crawl space encapsulation properly, it will fail eventually. Physical damage or electrocution can harm the plastic vapor barrier, and moisture may grow exponentially, leading to mold issues. The encapsulation works efficiently only with routine inspection, so call for maintenance work at least once a year to detect any damage beforehand.
Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Increase Home Value?
Yes, absolutely! You can add value to your property by encapsulating your crawl space. As a homeowner, having a dry crawl space is equally as important as maintaining your home’s interiors. A dry crawl space becomes an important factor in negotiating a fair price when selling your home in the future.
Signs You Should Encapsulate Your Crawl Space
Crawl spaces help maintain your home’s structural integrity and provide space for essentials like pipes, ducts, and HVAC system elements. It’s important to monitor your crawl space routinely to reduce the risk of greater damage in the long run. Here is a list of some signs you may need crawl space encapsulation:
- Unexplained allergies and constant skin irritation
- An unpleasant moldy smell in your crawl space area
- Sagging and cracked floors
- Foggy windows
- Pest infestation
- High electricity bills
- Recent plumbing issues
Conclusion
We understand that maintaining a dry crawl space is crucial, and any unaddressed issue today can result in significant expenses in the future. Hire professionals from American Eagle Professional Services Inc. for dependable solutions and premium materials.
Call us right away at 1 (410) 263-9682 or visit us at 605 Main Street, Suite 204, Stevensville, MD 21666, to enjoy various crawl space encapsulation benefits. Get your free consultation today!
