The Ultimate Guide to Crawl Space Encapsulation for a Healthier Home

Did you know that about a third of the air in your home comes from your crawl space? This often-overlooked area can have a big impact on your family's overall well-being. Unfiltered and unclean air in an open crawl space brings in contaminants and mold, slowly destroying your house and air quality.



In this article, we'll dig deep into crawl space encapsulation and help you understand how investing in this process, from crawl space insulation to crawl space moisture barrier, can lead to a healthier and more efficient home.

Why Do Homes Have a Crawl Space?

Back in the day, crawl spaces were a handy solution. Builders saw crawl spaces as practical solutions that provided easy access to a home's utilities like pipes, wiring, and the HVAC system.



Rather than the hassle and expense of digging out a full basement, crawl spaces offered a time-saving, cost-effective alternative. Many homes in North Carolina continue to feature crawl spaces because of these benefits.

Crawl Space Ventilation & Other Crawl Space Issues

Every part of the house has its own issues, and crawl spaces are no exception. You might be surprised to learn that crawl space ventilation is the sneaky culprit of the issues you’re having with your crawl space. Once thought to be a solution, crawl space ventilation can actually worsen the problem.

Crawl space ventilation refers to vents installed in crawl spaces to let outside air flow through, preventing the chances of mold and mildew. However, these vents also allow humid air to enter, leading to moisture build-up and inviting mold and mildew. Other problems found in crawl spaces are:

1. Moisture-related problems: Excessive moisture can lead to structural damage in your house. Improper grading around your home or a less-than-stellar drainage system often contribute to this soggy situation.
2. Mold and mildew: Just as you don't like to be damp, your house doesn't either. Moisture often leads to mold and mildew. In your home, this poses health risks to your family and structural threats to your house.
3. Pest infestations: Dampness in your crawl space attracts creepy-crawlies like bugs and rodents that will likely make their homes under your house.
4. Insulation troubles: A crawl space that's poorly insulated can result in drafty rooms and uneven temperatures in your home. Apart from being uncomfortable, this also affects your energy bills.

If that list made you uneasy, don't worry. These common crawl space issues can all be combated with one comprehensive solution - crawl space encapsulation.

What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation is like wrapping the area in a protective, moisture-resistant shield. This prevents crawl space ventilation and the issues it brings.

This process involves sealing your crawl space with a crawl space moisture barrier, insulating the area, and installing a sump pump system to keep moisture at bay. By addressing these issues, you'll create a cleaner, dryer, and healthier space beneath your home.

The Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation

The crawl space encapsulation process, particularly when handled by our experienced technicians at Day & Night, can bring a host of benefits that will give you a peace of mind:

1. Moisture control: Bye-bye, pesky water damage! Keep your crawl space arid and prevent potential structural damage and health issues.
2. Better air quality: Let your family breathe easy with improved air quality. Zap mold, mildew, and pest risks so that your home air remains fresh and healthy.
3. Energy efficiency: A well-insulated crawl space can give your heating and cooling system a break, preventing drafts and helping regulate indoor temperatures. This ultimately reduces the strain on your wallet with lower energy bills.
4. Enhanced structural integrity: Boost the health and lifespan of your home's foundation and structure by investing in crawl space encapsulation.

The Crawl Space Encapsulation Process

Our team at Day & Night follows a step-by-step process to give your crawl space the love it deserves:

1. Evaluation & clean-up: After an initial assessment to spot potential problems, we’ll first remove any debris, old insulation, or pest infestations from the crawlspace.
2. Repair & damage prevention: Next, we'll address any moisture damage, from busted up wood to moldy patches. Afterwards, we'll apply a mold and mildew resistant treatment to all the wooden surfaces under your home.
3. Setting up crawl space moisture barrier & vapor barrier: We will then install high-quality crawl space moisture barrier and vapor barrier. This barrier is sealed meticulously over your crawl space and acts like a super-shield, preventing ground moisture from seeping into your crawlspace.
4. Crawl space insulation: We'll pad up the area with crawl space insulation to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing energy waste.
5. Installing a sump pump system: Working hand in hand with the crawl space moisture barrier and vapor barrier, the sump pump system we install will drain out any water, making sure your crawl space stays dry.
6. Adding a Dehumidifier: Finally, we install a dehumidifier which will help regulate the humidity level. This keeps your crawl space dry which helps prevent the growth of any mold or mildew.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost

We completely understand that cost is a big factor in your decision-making process.

At Day & Night, we believe in providing transparent, upfront pricing for your crawl space encapsulation cost, so you always have a clear picture. We customize pricing according to your home's specific needs and take into account the square footage of your crawl space, its height, and the presence of groundwater can influence the final cost, ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 depending upon complexity and other factors. You can book an estimate through our website.

Booking Your Crawl Space Encapsulation

1. Schedule a quote: Doesn't matter how big or small the issue is, we're here to help. During your appointment, we'll do a thorough evaluation of your home’s situation. We'll then provide you with an estimate and our recommendations.

2. Watch us work: With our experience you can rest assured that your home is in good hands. Our expert technicians will clean and seal your crawl space, enhancing your home protection and improving your air quality.

3. Enjoy the comfort: With the work complete, sit back and enjoy the benefits: fewer allergens, less pest interference, lower energy bills, and a clean, comfortable home.

Conclusion