POLYUREA CRAWL
SPACE ENCAPSULATION
Shielding Homes From Mold,
Moisture, and More
There’s a hidden space beneath many homes that often goes overlooked – the crawl space. This shallow, unfinished (unoccupable) area can harbor excess moisture, mold, and pests that affect the rest of your home, making it among the last places that should go unnoticed or, at least, unprotected. High humidity in a crawl space leads to mold growth, wood rot, and, consequently, even structural damage over time, which requires that crawl spaces be shielded in a protective layer or otherwise risk dangerous and costly repercussions in the future. That protective layer, and the process of installing it, is called crawl space encapsulation, and it seals off the crawl space to prevent these issues, creating a dry, healthy environment under your house. Everything you need to know about encapsulating your crawl space – including how a modern polyurea crawl space encapsulation system works and why it’s the best way to protect your home from the ground up – you can learn here from a global coatings expert, ArmorThane.
WHY CRAWL SPACES NEED ENCAPSULATION
Crawl spaces are dark, vented areas that trap humidity. Open crawl space vents allow outside air in, but this often introduces moisture instead of removing it. Warm, damp air from outside cools in the crawl space and deposits water vapor as condensation, resulting in excess moisture collecting on crawl space walls and the crawl space floor, which can lead to mildew growth, mold, and wood rot. Over time, this damp environment can cause serious moisture damage to your home’s structure.
A wet crawl space also attracts pests like termites and rodents, which can create pest infestations under your home, later expanding into your home. Moreover, thanks to the stack effect, all that damp, contaminated air gets drawn up into the house, which means mold spores and musty odors from below can infiltrate your living space, causing potentially severe health issues. The moisture can also make your HVAC work harder, leading to higher utility bills due to energy loss, thereby having the opposite outcome that crawl space encapsulation is designed to achieve.
A wet crawl space also attracts pests like termites and rodents, which can create pest infestations under your home, later expanding into your home. Moreover, thanks to the stack effect, all that damp, contaminated air gets drawn up into the house, which means mold spores and musty odors from below can infiltrate your living space, causing potentially severe health issues. The moisture can also make your HVAC work harder, leading to higher utility bills due to energy loss, thereby having the opposite outcome that crawl space encapsulation is designed to achieve.
FROM PLASTIC SHEETS TO MODERN
POLYUREA ENCAPSULATION
Encapsulation isn’t new – for years, heavy plastic liners (often polyethylene) have been used as a crawl space vapor barrier. In a typical install, sheets of plastic are laid over the dirt floor (or concrete floor) and up the walls, with seams taped to form an airtight seal. This does help keep moisture down, but it has weaknesses. Over time, tape can peel and the liner can rip (especially if someone crawls in for repairs), and any gap lets moisture back in.
Polyurea is a special spray-on coating that cures into a seamless, waterproof layer on all crawl space surfaces. Instead of multiple sheets with potential leak points, a polyurea application becomes one continuous moisture barrier bonded to your crawl space walls and floor. There are no joints to tape and no edges to come loose, and polyurea is extremely durable – resisting tears and punctures that might damage a plastic liner. With a polyurea-based encapsulation system, there’s little worry about upkeep; it’s a long-term, high-performance solution.
Polyurea is a special spray-on coating that cures into a seamless, waterproof layer on all crawl space surfaces. Instead of multiple sheets with potential leak points, a polyurea application becomes one continuous moisture barrier bonded to your crawl space walls and floor. There are no joints to tape and no edges to come loose, and polyurea is extremely durable – resisting tears and punctures that might damage a plastic liner. With a polyurea-based encapsulation system, there’s little worry about upkeep; it’s a long-term, high-performance solution.
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CRAWL SPACE ENCAPSULATION
INSPECTION AND PREPARATION:
The first step is to evaluate the crawl space and address any existing issues. A professional will check for standing water and crawl space problems like mold or damage, and any needed repairs (such as fixing leaks, replacing rotted wood, and treating mold) are done before moving on. Then, the area is cleared of debris before advancing to step 2: fixing any water issues.
SEAL AND ENCAPSULATE:
Now the crawl space is ready to be sealed (encapsulated). Any open vents are shut, and gaps in the walls are caulked. Next comes the encapsulation material. In a traditional setup, the crew lays down a thick plastic sheeting or liner across the ground (the crawl space floor) and up the walls, sealing all overlaps with tape for an airtight seal. With a polyurea system, they instead spray-apply a coating throughout, which cures into a seamless barrier. Either way, the result is a sealed encapsulation system that locks out ground water vapor and outside moisture, but polyurea is a stronger, more reliable option.
FIX WATER ISSUES (DRAINAGE & SUMP PUMP):
If water tends to seep or pool under the house, it must be managed before sealing up. This often means installing a French drain or perforated pipe along the interior perimeter to channel water to a low spot. A sump pump is placed there to pump out any water that enters, effectively keeping the crawl space dry even during heavy rains.
INSULATE AND CONDITION THE SPACE:
As a finishing touch, insulation and humidity control are added. Spray foam insulation or foam board may be installed on the crawl space walls to help regulate temperature and prevent cold floors. A dedicated crawl space dehumidifier can also be set up to keep any residual humidity in check. After that, the crawl space is no longer a source of dampness – it has become a clean, dry extension of the home.
THE BENEFITS OF CRAWL SPACE ENCAPSULATION
THE BENEFITS OF CRAWL
SPACE ENCAPSULATION
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY & PEST CONTROL
Encapsulation eliminates the chronic dampness and moisture issues that can cause wood rot and undermine your home’s structural integrity. By keeping the crawl space dry, it prevents structural damage to joists and beams, and the dry, sealed environment also provides passive pest control, making the space inhospitable to insects and rodents and greatly reducing the chance of pest infestations.
HEALTHIER AIR (NO
MOLD OR ODORS)
With moisture under control, mold can’t flourish. That means far fewer mold spores and no more musty odors seeping into your home. Encapsulation helps keep the air in your living space clean and healthy, protecting your family from mold-related health issues, and by blocking that damp air from below (and the stack effect that would carry it upward), you create a drier, healthier indoor environment.
ENERGY SAVINGS & COMFORT
By creating an insulated, airtight seal beneath the house, encapsulation boosts your home’s energy efficiency. No more cold drafts coming up through the floors in winter or humid air in summer, and your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, which can lower energy costs. Homeowners often report lower electric bills and more stable temperatures after encapsulation, so you can expect to enjoy a more comfortable home and save on utility bills.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ENCAPSULATION SERVICES
Crawl space encapsulation cost can vary widely. It depends on factors like the size of your crawl space, whether it’s a damp crawl space with existing crawl space issues, and the materials used. If there’s extensive water damage to repair or extra improvements involved, expect higher charges, but because every situation is different, it’s hard to cite an exact average cost. It’s best to have a professional evaluate your crawl space needs and provide an estimate; for an accurate quote, consult a company that offers crawl space encapsulation services in your area.
For most homeowners, professional crawl space encapsulation is the smart choice, as experienced crawl space services companies do the job safely and thoroughly, and they understand local conditions. Depending on your service area, they may tailor the encapsulation to regional challenges. While hiring the pros is an upfront investment, it often pays for itself over time; you avoid future mold or structural repair costs and gain energy savings, and it even becomes a selling point since an encapsulated crawl space signals a well-maintained home to buyers. By creating an insulated, airtight seal beneath the house, encapsulation boosts your home’s energy efficiency. No more cold drafts coming up through the floors in winter or humid air in summer, and your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, which can lower energy costs. Homeowners often report lower electric bills and more stable temperatures after encapsulation, so you can expect to enjoy a more comfortable home and save on utility bills.
For most homeowners, professional crawl space encapsulation is the smart choice, as experienced crawl space services companies do the job safely and thoroughly, and they understand local conditions. Depending on your service area, they may tailor the encapsulation to regional challenges. While hiring the pros is an upfront investment, it often pays for itself over time; you avoid future mold or structural repair costs and gain energy savings, and it even becomes a selling point since an encapsulated crawl space signals a well-maintained home to buyers. By creating an insulated, airtight seal beneath the house, encapsulation boosts your home’s energy efficiency. No more cold drafts coming up through the floors in winter or humid air in summer, and your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, which can lower energy costs. Homeowners often report lower electric bills and more stable temperatures after encapsulation, so you can expect to enjoy a more comfortable home and save on utility bills.
ARMORTHANE CAN BUILD YOU A SOLID
FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
Your crawl space may be out of sight, but it shouldn’t be out of mind and doesn’t have to be a source of worry. Whether you have a newly built new home or an older house with a vented dirt crawl space, encapsulating that area can improve your home’s durability and comfort. Modern solutions like polyurea encapsulation are the best long-term solution, combining proven moisture control methods with cutting-edge materials – and innovative companies like ArmorThane have made polyurea encapsulation systems available worldwide.
Crawl space encapsulation transforms your home’s unseen underbelly, banishing crawl space moisture below to improve the environment above. You’ll enjoy healthier air, a sturdier home’s foundation, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is protected from the ground up. To learn more or begin a partnership with ArmorThane, simply give us a call or fill out our online contact form, and one of our coatings professionals will be with you faster than our polyurea coatings set!
Crawl space encapsulation transforms your home’s unseen underbelly, banishing crawl space moisture below to improve the environment above. You’ll enjoy healthier air, a sturdier home’s foundation, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is protected from the ground up. To learn more or begin a partnership with ArmorThane, simply give us a call or fill out our online contact form, and one of our coatings professionals will be with you faster than our polyurea coatings set!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. Even without standing water, an open crawl space can accumulate humidity. Over time that dampness causes mold growth, wood rot, and higher energy use as your HVAC works harder. Encapsulation keeps the area dry year-round, protecting against future mildew growth, structural damage, and pest issues while improving your home’s air quality.
Polyurea encapsulation is essentially a more durable, seamless upgrade. A regular crawl space vapor barrier made of plastic can tear or lose its seal over time, whereas polyurea is sprayed on and hardens into a thick, single-piece coating with an airtight seal. There are no seams or tape to worry about, and while polyurea may cost more upfront, it provides a more permanent solution with far less need for maintenance down the line.
Absolutely. By sealing off the crawl space and insulating it, you prevent cold or hot outside air from seeping in under the house. Your HVAC system no longer has to fight those drafts, so you’ll likely see lower heating and cooling bills. Floors feel warmer in winter and the house less humid in summer – all adding up to energy savings and a more comfortable home.
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ArmorThane has built a strong reputation over the past 30 years for producing high-quality, durable protective coatings.
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