The vapor within the crawl space can rot your home’s wooden frames and flooring. Encapsulating the crawl space keeps away moisture. In addition, encapsulation helps keep dangerous pests like termites out. These pests can cause untold structural damage to your home.

Does crawl space encapsulation increase home value?

Whether you’re looking at crawl space encapsulation because you have standing water under your home, have heard how it can reduce heating and cooling costs, or are concerned about negative effects of poor air quality, encapsulating your crawl space will definitely increase your home’s value.

What are the cons of encapsulating a crawl space?

List of the Cons of Crawl Space Encapsulation

• There is a cost consideration to look at with crawl space encapsulation.
• You may need to have foundation wall insulation for your new system.
• There are additional maintenance costs to consider.
• You may need to upgrade your HVAC system.

How effective is crawl space encapsulation?

According to industry experts, having your leaky areas encapsulated with a strong barrier improves the overall air quality of your interior space above your crawl space. People tend to get around 50 to 60 percent of the air they inhale from their crawl space.

How long does crawl space encapsulation last?

Generally speaking, most companies will offer a warranty of between 15 and 20 years for a typical crawlspace encapsulation project. However, if the humidity levels are controlled and no catastrophic events such as flooding occur, a properly encapsulated crawlspace can last for more than 20 years.

How much value does encapsulation add?

Crawl space encapsulation helps to stabilize temperatures in the crawl space — and ultimately, throughout the rest of your home. This reduces stress on heating and cooling equipment and can lower energy costs by an estimated 10% to 20%.

What is the average cost of crawl space encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation cost calculators determine that the average cost for encapsulation is about $7,500. The lowest cost can be $5,000 and can even go as high as $30,000. The cost depends on a variety of factors such as the size of your crawl space, the type of condition it is in, and the materials used.

Should a crawl space be sealed?

Yes, you should. All crawl spaces should be completely sealed and isolated from moisture in the air and from the ground.

Does an encapsulated crawl space need a dehumidifier?

In summary, a crawl space dehumidifier is NOT the solution for flooding or standing water. But it might be useful as one component of a moisture and dampness control system. If you have an encapsulation and drainage system installed correctly, a dehumidifier is often not needed.

Do you need to ventilate an encapsulated crawl space?

A craw space dehumidifier is an absolute essential in mold prevention in the crawl space, so you should most definitely install one once your crawl space is encapsulated and ventilated.

Does crawl space encapsulation stop rodents?

Generally, pests and rodents like crawl spaces with high moisture content. Sealing your crawl space with a thick and durable plastic barrier not only helps lock out moisture, but it deters pests and rodents such as mice from entering your home. A 20-mil plastic encapsulation is the best choice for a barrier.

Does crawl space encapsulation stop radon?

Radon moves up through the soil and into the crawl space air. Crawl space encapsulation can reduce radon levels and prevent moisture damage.. Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium in the soil.

How long does vapor barrier in crawl space last?

The average moisture barrier only lasts 5 to 10 years. Eventually, a vapor barrier starts to break down and deteriorate. Accordingly, it’s a good idea to take a peek into your crawl space to check the condition of your vapor barrier. If that idea doesn’t sound appealing, a skilled contractor can handle the job.

How long does a moisture barrier last?

While thinner plastic or regrind may be okay for short-term use, only reinforced virgin poly should be used for long-term applications like crawlspace vapor barriers. Properly installed virgin reinforced poly should last 20 years or more in a crawlspace.

Does homeowners insurance cover crawl space encapsulation?

Even though crawl space encapsulation isn’t covered by your homeowners insurance, it can still be a worthwhile investment. It’s a measure that can make it more difficult for standing water to build up in the first place and it also makes it easier to remove water that does pool in the foundation of your home.