Crawl space. For most people, you hear that and think of a dark, cramped space under your home where you never want to set foot. But did you know that crawl spaces can impact the integrity of your home’s foundation and long-term value?
Here’s what you need to know about moisture control in homes and the benefits of crawl space encapsulation.
What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Technically speaking, crawl space encapsulation is the installation of a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier that covers the entirety of a crawl space for maximum benefits. This typically includes floors, foundation walls, and the ceiling. A special tape connects the barrier’s pieces, and once the space is sealed, a dehumidifier helps regulate the crawl space’s moisture level.
More simply stated, think of the lining in a swimming pool that prevents leaks. Crawl space encapsulation achieves the same goal – keeping moisture inside the space and outside of your home.
Crawl Space Encapsulation, Moisture Control in Homes in Georgia
You may not realize that nearly half of the air you breathe inside your home flows up from your crawl space, which is one of the key reasons moisture control in homes is so important. Even small amounts of water damage can cause a variety of unwanted problems including mold, wood rot, pest infestation, and decreased energy efficiency.
If you live in Georgia, crawl space encapsulation keeps moisture and the resulting negative issues out of your home. This process also protects your home’s foundation in the long run, protecting your investment and keeping your family healthy.
The Benefits of Encapsulating Your Crawl Space
Crawl space encapsulation has several key benefits that impact health, energy efficiency, and structural integrity. They include:
- Improving indoor air quality
- Eradicating insect infestation
- Promoting healthy living conditions
- Inhibiting mold and mildew issues
- Hindering structural damage
- Increasing energy efficiency
- Regulating the temperature of your floors
Crawl space encapsulation also increases the value of your home over time thanks to the small daily advantages it brings. Once the space is sealed, it also serves as an additional storage space that can keep your belongings safe and dry. H2O Proof & Foundation Repair offers a patented crawl space repair and moisture-proof encapsulation system that assures a dry, healthy below-grade space for years to come.
The Costs Involved in Encapsulation
We begin with a no-obligation complimentary inspection to evaluate your crawl space and then offer customized solutions to fit your needs and financing options to fit your budget. Our team always strives to provide the best possible solutions while understanding the constraints of daily life’s expenses. The actual costs for each crawl space encapsulation will vary based on the size and current condition of your space.
When considering the quote you get from our professional Georgia crawl space encapsulation team, note the amount of work and materials needed to effectively complete the process. Crawl space encapsulation includes:
- Raking the soil under the house to make it flat and smooth
- Removing debris
- Adding a new access door for extra ventilation
- Adding 2.5 inches of foam insulation on all block walls
- Installing a 20-mm liner on walls and floor
- Installing humidifiers and a drainpipe, if needed
- Removing all old, unneeded, or damaged insulation
- Treating for mold and mildew as needed
- Adding steel wool around all pipes leading into the house with spray foam insulation
- Installing new insulation
The proper installation of your crawl space encapsulation is vital to its effectiveness. Consistency, accuracy, and quality are key when installing the barrier for moisture control in homes.
Calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) for Encapsulation
On average, crawl space encapsulation can increase a home’s value by 10%. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home any time soon, knowing you are adding to the equity in your home can give you peace of mind.
The benefits of crawl space encapsulation are even greater in places like Georgia due to our humid climate, moist soil, and levels of annual rain. Properly sealing your crawl space, which is so close to your home’s foundation, can prevent structural issues over time, saving you $5,000 to $25,000 in foundation repair.
Finally, researchers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that for every $1 reduction in annual energy costs, a home’s value increases by $20-$24. So, if you save $250 a year thanks to crawl space encapsulation, you could be adding $5,000-$6,000 to your home’s value.
Is Crawl Space Encapsulation the Right Choice for Your Home?
If you notice pest infestations, increased moisture, signs of mold, musty smells, and humidity inside your home, you should consider crawl space encapsulation. Specific things to note include:
- The dangers involved when mold is present in the home
- A musty mildew smell inside the home
- Escalated home heating and cooling costs
- Wet insulation
- Windows that appear to sweat
- Pest infestation in the home
Knowing that your home is dry, and your family is breathing clean air will help you stress less. Contact us today to learn more about how moisture control in your home can benefit your family. You can reach us by calling 678-426-8618 or filling out our online appointment form and one of our team members will be in touch. We look forward to meeting you.
