Crawl spaces without encapsulation are simply those with an exposed dirt floor. In other words, there is nothing physical separating the external environment of your home and access directly into your living spaces. And while this space is foundational – no pun intended – to the function of a crawl space, without additional protection, crawl spaces fail to insulate your home from water and moisture, and in fact, may actually make the threat of water infiltration and damage worse. Unencapsulated crawl spaces are susceptible to large amounts of water vapor emitted from the exposed earth, made worse by the easy entry and accumulation of large volumes of water. This stagnant water can enable the growth of dangerous microbes like molds, which are then carried up into your home along with the high-moisture air. An all too common, and all too unfortunate occurrence with unencapsulated crawl spaces is the creation of comfortable conditions for one of many types of pest including rats or snakes, which often die and waft the smell of nature’s reclamation up into your home. Last but not least, for all their benefits, crawl spaces may compromise structural integrity if not properly encapsulated. Structural elements like beams and joists are more susceptible to moisture by virtue of their location in the crawl space, which can lead to rot and decay, ultimately threatening the safety of your home. For all of these reasons and more, encapsulating a crawl space is critical for the safety and wellbeing of you, your family, and your home.