What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation is when foundation waterproofing specialists line the walls and floors of the space below your home with a thin polyethylene sheet. This antimicrobial barrier will catch the water that seeps through your crawl space walls or floor, channeling it to a system that ejects it away from your foundation, increasing the air quality beneath your home.
Houses with crawl spaces can have what experts call a “stack effect.” This means you breathe the air from the floor below you. That’s why your second floor might be colder or hotter during certain seasons. Air always rises. By lowering the temperature in your crawl space, you can increase the air quality in your home and save thousands of dollars a year on utility bills.
How Much Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost?
Crawl space encapsulation can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $15,000. The total price depends on various things, such as the quality of materials, the size of your crawl space, if you need permits or inspections, and how many waterproofing solutions you add along with encapsulation.
Materials And Labor
Size And Condition
Permits
Inspection
Additional Waterproofing Solutions
Vent Sealing
If your crawl space has open vents for air circulation, foundation waterproofing experts will most likely suggest closing them. These vents cause more problems than intended. Instead of the intended effect of airing out your crawl space, vents actually let moist air, cold air, and bugs/insects into your crawl space, causing more harm than good. In the winter, this can freeze pipes. In the summer, this can cause mold and warped floor boards.