The Alabama Guide to Crawl Space Encapsulation

Are you a homeowner in Alabama looking for an effective solution to help protect your crawl space against moisture and humidity? If so, it may be time to consider crawl space encapsulation. Read on to learn more about why crawl spaces are often damp, why crawl space encapsulation could be just what your home needs, and tips on other things you can do to help keep your crawl space dry.

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation is basically the process of sealing your crawl space vents and then covering the crawl space floor and walls with a thick, vapor-retarding barrier. This helps prevent moisture from entering the area through the vents, foundation walls, and dirt floor.

There are several reasons why you don’t want moisture in your home’s crawl space, including the following:

Mold growth – Moisture can cause mold to grow. Not only is mold unsightly and smelly, but it can also be hazardous to your health (especially if you have allergies or respiratory issues). Since some of the air in the crawl space enters your home’s living area, this is a serious problem.
Wood rot – This might not sound like a big deal, but if it happens to the wooden support structures in the crawl space, it could weaken your house and even make it unsafe to live in.
Pest infestations – Moisture can also attract pests such as termites and rodents. These little critters love damp places, and if they find their way into your crawl space, they can wreak havoc on your home. Not only can they cause damage themselves, but they can also attract other pests like snakes and spiders, which is definitely not fun.
Possibly higher energy bills – Because humid air is harder to heat and cool than dry air, your HVAC system has to work harder to keep your home comfortable. This can potentially lead to higher energy bills.

Where Does Crawl Space Moisture Come From?

First off, let’s start with the basics – what is a crawl space? Simply put, it’s a narrow, low-ceilinged space beneath your house that’s used for storage and access to utilities. Because they’re usually unoccupied, crawl spaces tend to be neglected and can easily attract moisture.

Now, as for where the moisture comes from, there are a few potential culprits, including:

The crawl space’s dirt floor – The first is good ol’ H2O; water can seep into your crawl space from the ground. This can happen more frequently if your yard is sloped toward the foundation, or if you live in an area where it rains a lot.
Open vents – Another source of crawl space moisture is condensation. Open vents allow warmer, humid air to flow in and condense on cooler surfaces. This can lead to mold growth.
Cracks in the foundation wall – Even the tiniest of cracks in a foundation wall can allow water to enter a crawl space.
Plumbing leaks – Water can also get into your crawl space from leaky pipes.

Advantages of Encapsulating a Crawl Space

So, why should you consider encapsulating your crawl space? For starters, it can greatly improve the air quality in your home. When moisture enters your crawl space, it can lead to the growth of mold, which can then be carried into the air you breathe. By sealing off the crawl space, you can prevent these harmful substances from entering your home, making the air cleaner and healthier for you and your family.

Encapsulating your crawl space can also help you save money on your energy bills. Humid air flowing from the crawl space into your home can make your heating and cooling systems work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Another advantage of encapsulating your crawl space is that it can help protect your home from structural damage. When moisture enters your crawl space, it can damage your home’s foundation and lead to costly repairs later down the line. By sealing off the space and preventing moisture from entering, you can avoid this damage and keep your home in good shape.

The One Downside of Crawl Space Encapsulation

The one downside to crawl space encapsulation is that it can be quite expensive. Yes, encapsulation is unfortunately not a cheap fix. The process of encapsulating a crawl space involves installing a high-quality vapor barrier and sealing all joints and seams. Additionally, it may involve installing a dehumidifier to maintain proper air quality and prevent mold growth.

It’s important to note that not all crawl spaces are suitable for immediate encapsulation. For instance, if your crawl space has significant water damage or mold growth, you may need to address those issues before encapsulation. And if your crawl space has significant structural damage or other foundation problems, encapsulation isn’t going to solve them.

That being said, the cost of encapsulation should not necessarily deter you from this solution. The benefits of crawl space encapsulation far outweigh the cost, especially when considering your home’s ultimate health and safety. As noted above, encapsulation can improve indoor air quality, reduce energy costs, prevent structural damage, and enhance the overall livability of your space.

In short, while crawl space encapsulation can be quite pricey, the benefits of encapsulation make it a worthwhile investment for any homeowner concerned with their home’s health and structural integrity. Take a look at our flexible financing options.

The Crawl Space Encapsulation Process Step-By-Step

Step 1: Inspection

Before starting encapsulation, the contractor will carefully inspect it to identify any issues such as water damage, mold, or pests that must be addressed first. If any damage or structural issues are found during the inspection, the contractor will repair them before moving on to the encapsulation process.

Step 2: Clean up

Next, the contractor will remove any debris or clutter in the crawl space and clean it thoroughly. Doing so will ensure the encapsulation process is performed on a clean surface.

Step 3: Installation

The contractor will now seal the crawl space vents and install a vapor barrier to cover the floor and walls of your crawl space. Insulation may also be added to improve energy efficiency.

Step 4: Add a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier might be added to regulate the moisture levels and prevent mold growth.

Add a Drain Tile System To Kick It Up a Notch

A drain tile system is installed underneath your encapsulated crawl space (or around the outside perimeter of the foundation at the footing level). It redirects any excess groundwater away from your home’s foundation. This helps to further prevent moisture buildup and potential damage to your home’s structure. If you want a clean, dry crawl space, encapsulation and a drain tile system are the way to go.

Common Signs of Crawl Space Moisture

Musty odor – That musty or damp odor in your home might be coming from your crawl space. This odor is typically caused by mold growth, which thrives in damp environments. So, if you smell something funky, it’s time to investigate further!
Visible mold – Mold can grow on insulation, wood, and even concrete foundation walls. It can spread quickly if left unchecked.
Standing water – This is a definite sign that something’s wrong. Standing water could be caused by various issues, including a leaky pipe, poor drainage, or a high water table in your area.
Physical damage inside your home – Keep an eye out for any physical damage to your home that could be caused by crawl space moisture. This can include warped floorboards and cracks in walls and ceilings (caused by failing crawl space support structures).

Extra Steps You Can Take to Keep Your Crawl Space Dry and Prevent Problems

In addition to crawl space encapsulation and a drain tile system, there are some other things you can do to help keep your home’s crawl space dry. These include:

Cleaning gutters regularly so that water doesn’t overflow, run down the side of your house, and soak the ground around the foundation.
Using downspout extensions to carry runoff away from your foundation before release.
Regrading your yard so that it slopes away from the foundation. This ensures that groundwater doesn’t drain toward the foundation.

If you’re considering crawl space encapsulation for your Alabama home, contact us today to schedule a free crawl space inspection and receive an estimate.