Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation

If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you may not think too much about your crawlspace. You should, though, because what’s in your crawlspace can impact the air quality throughout your home. In fact, according to the EPA, 60 percent of the air on your first floor has already traveled through the crawl space, picking up microbes and particulates along the way. Ready to learn more about crawl space encapsulation? Read on to understand why it’s a good idea.

First, let’s define crawl space encapsulation. Encapsulation involves sealing off and insulating the crawl space, in order to protect it from water vapor, pests, and inclement weather. This is done by adding a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier to your crawl space, similar to the lining of a swimming pool. Once the barrier is in place, the space is sealed, and a dehumidifier can be used to regulate the moisture level in the crawl space. The crawl space is not the only underground area that could benefit from this process. If you live in an old home or are planning to finish your basement, encapsulation of that area is a smart move. Today, though, let’s just consider the crawl space.

• Encapsulation improves your home’s air quality. It keeps mold, mildew, and bacteria from seeping into your home from the crawl space, keeping the air your family breathes clean and safe. Encapsulating your crawl space also gives you better control over your home’s humidity levels and reduces musty odors.
• A clean, dry crawl space doesn’t support mold growth. Reducing moisture makes an area less hospitable to mold. What’s more, because the crawl space is encapsulated in non-organic material, there’s no place for mold to gain a foothold.
• Encapsulating the crawl space discourages pests. Insects and rodents prefer damp spaces and find getting around the barrier nearly impossible. In fact, there are even pest-specific barriers available.
• If you want to store things in your crawl space, encapsulation is a must. Once encapsulated, your crawl space will be a safe, clean, dry environment where you can safely keep your belongings without worrying that they’ll be damaged.
• When you encapsulate your crawl space, you save money on energy costs. You could see a decrease in your energy bills of up to 15 percent per year once you seal the crawl space!
• Encapsulation protects your home’s structural integrity. As long as your crawl space is exposed to moisture, your house is exposed not only to destructive pests, but also to decay and rot. Encapsulating the space affords your home’s frame and foundation some important protection.

At Storm Waterproofing, we know how to solve and prevent crawlspace and basement problems. A family owned and operated waterproofing company founded by a third generation basement waterproofing expert, we’ve been providing exceptional basement waterproofing services for over 20 years. If you’re looking for a company that will keep your Baltimore, MD area home dry, healthy, and safe, using state-of-the-art waterproofing techniques, call or contact us today.