Crawl space upgrades might not be exciting, but they are hugely important to home performance. Some of the most common energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality issues can be traced back to an unsealed crawl space that lets moisture, mold, and pests into your home.
Total Home Performance solves these problems and more with our crawl space encapsulation services. We are the go-to contractor for safe and effective crawl space encapsulation in the Eastern Shore, Delaware, and Anne Arundel County area. We’ve been in business since 2009 and have encapsulated more than 1,500 crawl spaces! We’re also one of the only local contractors that is both a crawl space expert and a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® contractor, which means we can offer you rebates and savings that other contractors can’t!
What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation turns your crawl space into a clean, dry space by sealing it off completely. The process typically involves covering the floor and walls of the crawl space with a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier, sealing all air vents, and installing a dehumidifier to control moisture levels. The goal of encapsulation is to protect your home from moisture-related issues, such as mold growth, wood rot, and structural damage, which can result from high humidity levels and water vapor entering your crawl space.
Every crawl space is treated on a case-by-case basis, but generally, encapsulation can be seen as a four-step process:
- Inspection - We start with a comprehensive evaluation of the current space. We’ll remove old insulation and address any mold, pest, or standing water issues before proceeding.
- Air Sealing and Crawl Space Insulation - Next, we use spray foam to seal vents, holes, and gaps around ducts and plumbing that let in outside air. Spray foam insulation is also applied to the walls for an airtight seal that both insulates and prevents moisture from entering.
- Vapor Barrier Installation - A heavy duty polyethylene vapor barrier is applied to completely cover the crawl space's floor and walls. Sealing tape securely holds sections together, so there are no gaps to let air in or out. Our professional installers will ensure the barrier is safely and securely attached, sealing and taping around obstacles such as piers and pillars.
- Dehumidifier Installation - A dehumidifier completes the encapsulation process, ensuring the moisture in your crawl space stays at an acceptable, consistent level all year to prevent condensation buildup and inhibit mold growth.
Why Do You Need Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Crawl space encapsulation can significantly improve the overall environment in the crawl space, leading to better air quality in the living spaces above, increased energy efficiency, and protection against structural damage caused by moisture. It’s a long-term solution to crawl space moisture problems and can contribute to the overall health and safety of your home.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality - A significant percentage of the air in your home enters through your crawl space. That means any pollutants that are present in your crawl space will end up in your breathing air. Sealing your crawl space will keep moisture and pollutants out, improving indoor air quality throughout your whole home.
- Moisture Damage Prevention - By sealing off the crawl space from and controlling humidity, crawl space encapsulation prevents moisture intrusion, reducing the risk of wood rot and structural damage to your home’s foundation and supports. Because it prevents foundation damage, crawl space encapsulation is one of the most cost-effective moisture control methods for a home.
- Improved Energy Efficiency - Crawl space encapsulation can reduce energy loss and improve your home’s energy efficiency, especially if you have ductwork located in your crawl space.
- Increased Comfort - By controlling humidity and reducing drafts, encapsulated crawl spaces contribute to more consistent temperatures in the living areas above, enhancing overall comfort.
- Pest Control - Sealing your crawl space will help keep pests such as termites, rodents, and insects, which are attracted to moist environments and can cause damage to the home, out.
Crawl Space Encapsulation Rebates & Incentives
Now is a great time to make crawl space improvements thanks to current rebates and incentives! Total Home Performance is a participating contractor with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® (HPwES) and our crawl space services qualify for up to $10,000 in rebates available through Delmarva Power and BGE. We are the only crawl space encapsulation contractor in Eastern Maryland that can offer these rebates! Call us today to find out how much you could save on crawl space encapsulation.
Protect your home with crawl space encapsulation! Call 410-822-1390 or contact us to get started.
Give us a call at (410) 822-1390 or Contact Us to RESERVE Your Crawl Space Consultation NOW.
If you have any questions about the cost or effectiveness of encapsulating your crawl space, talk to the experts at Total Home Performance! With 2000+ encapsulations under our belts, we have seen it all. Plus, as a participating contractor with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, Total Home Performance is able to offer many cost-saving rebates other contractors simply can not.
Contact us or call (410) 822-1390 to schedule a consultation today.
With Crawl Space Encapsulation, You Get:
Cut down on the amount of humidity and moisture in your home!
Provide proper ventilation for your home so that it can breathe. This helps push moisture and other air particles outside, so your conditioned spaces can remain healthy and fresh.