
Crawl Space Encapsulation Keeps Moisture out of Your Crawl Space and Protects Your Home from Mold and Mildew
Mold, mildew, bacteria, and fungus all live and feed themselves from decomposing materials. As hazardous as it is for people to live in these damp, moldy spaces, many people live inches from just such a place – your crawl space. Water coming in through the foundation blocks from poor gutter drainage or runoff from the yard can create a damp environment under your home. Foundation vents can seem like a good idea, but they allow the humidity to build up and stagnate, creating a fertile breeding ground for mold. The air in your crawl space is shared with the air in your living space. Mold growing in the crawlspace can easily affect the air quality and health of those living in your home.
Crawlspace encapsulation is a process of sealing the space to keep out the moisture and create a clean, dry area better for the people living above it. It includes sealing the floor, walls and columns with a thick vapor barrier, which is essentially a heavy plastic that is highly resistant to letting any moisture through it. Sometimes a crawlspace french drain system is also employed to move water out of the space. Next, a commercial grade dehumidifier is installed, which is capable of removing up to 70 pints of water a day from the air and has a HEPA style filter to remove particulates as well. Finally, the team seals up the foundation vents with styrofoam and uses a spray foam around all the edges to ensure a secure closure. Depending on the conditions, your home can be treated for mold at the time of installation. Clients have reported significant improvements in their health after an encapsulation has been finished.
The Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation:
- Lower heating and cooling costs. A drafty crawl space allows unwanted air to get in while allowing conditioned air to seep out. The energy lost in this manner can have a significant effect on your utility bills. Crawlspace encapsulation will help to insulate your home and keep it comfortable.
- Improve indoor air quality. The air that seeps in through a musty crawlspace can be harmful. Dampness can cause mold and mildew growth which exacerbates allergies for some and makes the air in your home less safe to breathe. Dust and other allergens can get in through a drafty crawlspace as well. Sealing off the space under your home will keep air and moisture out and keep the humidity level under control inside your home.
- Protect your home’s foundation. If water gets into your crawlspace and under your home, it can cause damage to the foundation, as well as mold and mildew growth. Crawlspace encapsulation not only seals it off to keep water out, but it can incorporate a drain system to pump out any water that accumulates, keeping it clean and dry.


From the Crawl Space to the Basement in Your Home, the Experts at Affordable Waterproofing Specialize in Sealing Out Water
The process of crawlspace encapsulation seals off the area underneath your house like an unfinished basement. Air and moisture are kept out and a French drain system can be installed to pump out excess water and keep it out of your crawl space. This helps to preserve the wood and keep it from rotting, prevent mold and mildew growth, and reduce the chances of foundation settling.
Whether you have a full basement or just a crawlspace as the foundation for your home, waterproofing is not only a corrective measure, it’s an important preventative measure as well. From crawlspaces to basements in Greensboro and the Triad area, keeping water out is crucial when it comes to foundation maintenance. A wet foundation leads to sinking, instability, mold growth, and other problems.
Mold in your basement creates hazardous conditions for your family. Protect your family, and save yourself money and hassle with crawl space repair by Affordable Waterproofing. Call (336) 287-5160 to get started today.