It is prudent that you waterproof your crawl space to prevent moisture, dampness, and the issues that can occur from those problems. Crawl space encapsulation is one way to waterproof the basement but one that isn’t usually recommended. Although encapsulation includes a variety of benefits, the negative aspects often outweigh the good.
Disadvantages of Crawl Space Encapsulation
There are a handful of benefits offered when you schedule crawl space encapsulation, but the truth is the negatives far outweigh the advantages. Southern Crawl Space offers alternative solutions to crawl space encapsulation that not only provides better results but are less expensive. Some of the negative aspects of crawl space encapsulation installation can be found below.
Upfront Investment
Homeowners in Madison must know that crawl space encapsulation includes a large initial investment. Home Advisor estimates the cost of crawl space encapsulation to average $5,500. Be prepared to pay this money or more.
More Work Needed
A contractor may recommend foundation wall insulation if you decide to encapsulate the crawl space. This extra work also adds more fees to the total cost of the job. The costs can easily add another few thousand dollars to the total cost of the job.
HVAC Upgrade
Another negative aspect of encapsulation is the need to upgrade the HVAC system. Since encapsulation limits the amount of air movement through the home, it increases efficiency in the home but can diminish the amount of oxygen for the furnace or heater to function properly.
Added Maintenance
Another worry homeowners face after crawl space encapsulation is added maintenance. If your crawl space is encapsulated, there are more maintenance tasks to tend to, as well as added inspections throughout the year. This maintenance work is not optional.
Vapor Barrier Alternative
An alternative to crawl space encapsulation is vapor barrier installation. A vapor barrier prevents water from entering the crawl space and provides easier access to the underground area of the home. Contact Southern Crawl Space to learn more about vapor barrier installation.
Southern Crawl Space offers moisture control services, including basement and crawlspace waterproofing, drainage system installation, and vapor barrier installation. SCS guarantees to fix your moisture issues permanently. Our trained team of technicians utilizes only the best solutions for your basement or crawlspace. We are proud to offer LumberKote™and MaxxBarrier™waterproofing sealers by WatsonSeal. We are Alabama’s ONLY Watson Seal Authorized Dealer. If you have a service request, give us a call. We will happily provide a free inspection and service estimate.
