What Are Pros And Cons Of Crawl Space Encapsulation?

A crawl space is one of the coolest parts of a home if you’re a kid, but also if you’re a fan of efficient storage. Unfortunately, they also can be a pretty dangerous part of your home, especially if not well-maintained. If you’ve been thinking about crawl space encapsulation, there are a lot of pros and cons to consider before you call a construction crew.

Crawlspace encapsulation comes with a lot of pros and cons. On the good side, you can prevent pests from making your crawlspace home and can also reduce the chances of having gasses released by dirt. Some also enjoy lower utility bills. However, it’s extremely pricey and can lead to foul odors and moisture trapping.

Knowing what you can expect from getting your crawl space encapsulated can help you understand whether or not this is a good DIY project for you. So, let’s start talking about what it means for your home.

Before we start going into the pros and cons, let’s define what crawl space encapsulation is. Crawl spaces have a tendency of getting critters, dirt, and grime inside of them. This is a process that builds a barrier under your home that helps prevent moisture from infiltrating your crawlspace.

Encapsulation is done by coating the walls and floors of the crawl space with plastic that’s at least six millimeters thick. This blocks it off from the elements and reduces the chances of most pests being warded off.

Did you know that dirt can build up gasses as material under your crawl space decomposes? It’s true, and it can turn into a bit of a problem. Sometimes, the gas emissions can make it hard to reduce fire hazards. Other times, it can make storing certain items difficult. Even more times, it can make things feel stuffy or make it hazardous to breathe. Encapsulation fixes this issue.

It’s also worth noting that crawl space encapsulation is one of the first ways to help prevent radon gas from reaching the inside of your home. People who have radon alarms that regularly go off should consider getting encapsulation, simply because it can help them avoid cancer in the future.

Here’s a big drawback to encapsulation that most people don’t want to talk about upfront: the price. If you DIY your encapsulation, you might be able to squeak by spending only $2,000. If you want to hire a professional team to do this, which is more recommended, the price climbs up to a shocking $5,000.

It’s a budget-heavy project, period. If you were hoping for a low-budget way to reduce electricity bills, this is not it. Might we suggest weather stripping or stapling insulation in instead?

Because moisture tends to get trapped in encapsulated crawl spaces, there’s a good chance that you might end up getting trace amounts of mold from time to time. Many people note that encapsulated crawl spaces have a tendency of smelling slightly musty or acrid after rainfalls. If you have a sensitive nose, you might even be able to smell it faintly outside of your home.

This is more of an experiential issue than an issue regarding your home’s stability, so if you’re just worried about functionality, ignore this. Otherwise, it may be a somewhat smart idea to reconsider this project. It all depends on what you’re looking for and how bad you actually need this.

If you’re worried that you might be making the wrong decision, or if you aren’t sure whether your crawl space really needs encapsulation, you’re not alone. Lots of homeowners struggle with it. Truthfully, it’s not something that is easy to deduce on your own. Or, at least, it’s not something that you should just do at random.

It’s easy to feel divided on this home improvement project, especially since it’s not exactly the most inexpensive thing to do. People who notice these signs might be better candidates for this project than others:

Related Questions

Does homeowner’s insurance cover crawl space encapsulation?

In most cases, your insurance will not cover encapsulating your crawl space preventatively, nor will it cover most damage done to it via wear and tear. The vast majority of policies might not even cover damage that was caused by perils, unless it’s something along the lines of a flood or an extreme storm.If you are not sure whether or not your policy covers the encapsulation’s damages, or aren’t sure what situations would cause a call to your insurer, give them a call. Your insurance agent is there to help you out.

Do home inspectors go into crawl spaces?

While you might never guess it right off the bat, home inspectors are required to go into crawl spaces. Inspectors need to have full access to your home. This means that you have to give them access to the inside, the outside, underneath your home (if applicable), and on top of the roof if necessary. It’s the only way for them to have a good look at your place.

Should I buy a home with water in the crawl space?

Probably not. Having water in the crawl space can lead to mold, mildew, and other forms of rot. That rot doesn’t just make your home smell bad, either. It also can lead to your home having foundational problems as a result of the rot that can occur. If you want to buy a house like this, take lots of precautions. It’s a big risk.