Encapsulate a Crawl Space

LESLIE: Ed in North Carolina needs some help with a crawlspace. What can we do for you?

ED: Hello. Hey, I just wanted to get your take on this encapsulating service that some companies offer, to basically encapsulate a crawlspace to keep the humidity out. I got an estimate a couple years ago when it was kind of expensive but I just wanted to know whether it’s worth the cost.

TOM: Yeah. That’s one approach. In fact, that’s an approach that they use a lot in Canada and it’s starting to work its way down into the states and it certainly does work. It’s got to be done very, very thoroughly because you can’t have any, you know, gaps in the encapsulation. But basically, it’s an alternative way to seal a crawlspace, where you seal all the surfaces.

Having said that, the old-fashioned, inexpensive vapor barrier with fiberglass insulation and good drainage conditions on the outside of your house works well. Now, are you going to get a return on investment because of the difference between the two? Frankly, probably not but if you want to go with the encapsulated insulation, then go for it.

ED: OK. Is it – let me ask you, is it durable? Once they lay down that plastic encapsulating – if you’ve got to go down there and change out the water heater or just do normal routine maintenance, is that something …?

TOM: Yeah, routine maintenance it should be fine for. Yep.

ED: Alright. Hey, thanks a lot. I appreciate it.