You’ve always thought your home was your safe space, but recently, it’s starting to feel a little, well, off. There’s a strange, musty smell, higher humidity levels, and even some signs of mold growth. You might have tried cleaning and dehumidifying, but nothing seems to work. If this scenario feels familiar, it might be time to consider crawl space encapsulation.

At Lee Company, we specialize in crawl space services for homes across the Southeast. After eight decades of experience, we’ve seen the warning signs time and again. In this blog, we’ll explore the key indicators that your home might need crawl space encapsulation and how to protect your space effectively.

What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

What lurks beneath the floor of your home? For many, it’s a crawl space — a hollow area providing easy access to plumbing, wiring, and other vital systems. If left unchecked, it can also turn into a path of destruction for moisture, mold, and pests.

Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing this space with a heavy-duty plastic vapor barrier, covering everything from floor to ceiling. This barrier keeps out moisture, prevents mold growth and pests, and improves energy efficiency. By creating a dry and stable environment, encapsulation helps lower energy bills, improves indoor air quality, and makes your home more comfortable overall.

Despite the shift in home construction trends (70% of new single-family homes in 2022 were built on slab foundations, and only 10% had crawl spaces), encapsulation remains vital for those with crawl spaces, especially in the humid Southeast. Encapsulation is a valuable investment in your home’s health and longevity.

Signs You Need Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl space encapsulation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Your home might need it, or it might not. It all depends on the issues you’re experiencing and the problems you hope to prevent. Here are some signs you should consider encapsulation:

Visible Moisture in the Crawl Space

Most homeowners don’t venture into their crawl spaces unless there’s a clear reason to do so. But if the interior of your home has been feeling damp or musty, it’s worth taking a look below.

Moisture in your crawl space can lead to nasty issues like mold growth and structural damage.

It’s time for crawl space encapsulation if you peek into the space and see:

• Damp spots on the walls or floor, which can quickly lead to mold and mildew that compromises indoor air quality and structural integrity.
• Standing water which can cause wood rot and attract pests, gradually undermining your home’s foundation and inviting the pests into your living space.
• Water stains or discoloration, indicating long-term moisture problems and are often a precursor to more significant issues like mold and wood decay.

Presence of Mold or Mildew

Ever walked into an old, musty basement? That smell is often associated with mold or mildew growth.

Mold thrives in dark, damp environments, making a crawl space an ideal breeding ground and creating a health hazard right beneath your feet.

Mold growth in your crawl space can significantly affect indoor air quality, especially since 40-50% of the air in your home comes from the crawl space.

Here are some key indicators and their impacts:

• Visible Mold Growth: Mold on the walls, floors, or other surfaces clearly indicates moisture problems. Mold can weaken structural integrity and spread quickly.
• Mildew Smell: Even without visible mold growth, a musty smell can point to the presence of mold or mildew. Breathing these spores can cause respiratory issues and allergies.
• High Humidity Levels: Mold needs moisture to grow, so if your crawl space has high humidity levels (above 60%), it’s at risk for mold development.
• Health Issues: If you or your family are experiencing unexplained health issues, mold in the crawl space could be a culprit. Mold spores can cause allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems.

Wood Rot or Structural Damage

Your foundation is only as strong as its weakest point. Unfortunately, crawl spaces are often the most vulnerable areas in a home when it comes to moisture and structural integrity.

Excessive moisture can lead to wood rotting, weakening wooden beams and joists, and potentially compromising your entire structure.

Repairing wood rot in a crawl space can be costly, with expenses ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 or more, depending on the extent of the damage.

Look out for visible signs of:

• Warped or buckled flooring, indicating swelling wood due to moisture exposure.
• Sagging or cracked floors which can occur when water weakens the wood, causing it to break or bend.
• Bouncy or uneven floors implying there’s severe structural damage, with floor joists unable to support their intended weight.
• Soft or spongy floorboards are a clear sign of wood rot, and a compromised structure is at risk of collapse.
• Wood rot or decay, with its discolored or crumbly appearance or musty smell. This is a clear sign of moisture problems and potential structural damage.

Increased Energy Bills

Across the country, energy bills are on the rise. But if you’ve noticed a significant increase in your energy costs without any corresponding changes in your usage or the weather, it could be due to an unencapsulated crawl space. Here’s why:

Higher than Usual Heating or Cooling Costs

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, poorly sealed and insulated areas, like crawl spaces, can account for as much as 30% of your home’s energy loss. This makes your HVAC system work harder to reach comfortable indoor temperatures, leading to higher energy bills.

Inefficient HVAC System Performance

In Tennessee, nearly every home has a heater and air conditioner. This equipment contributes to about 52% of your home’s energy consumption. When your crawl space isn’t properly insulated, your HVAC system is less efficient, further driving up energy costs.

Impact of Moisture and Insulation on Energy Efficiency

Moisture in your crawl space can diminish the effectiveness of insulation, making it harder to maintain comfortable temperatures indoors on the coldest and hottest days. Crawl space encapsulation helps by providing moisture protection and improving energy efficiency.

Pest Infestations

From tiny, destructive termites to disease-carrying rats, pests can devastate a home’s structure and your family’s health. Dark spaces are a favorite hideout for many pests, making an unencapsulated crawl space a prime target.

Some common signs of pest infestations include:

• Visible pest droppings or tracks.
• Scratching or scurrying sounds from the crawl space, flooring, or walls.
• Sightings of pests in or around your home.
• Chewed or damaged wiring or insulation.
• Materials for nesting, like shredded paper, cloth, or insulation.

Some pests (like mice and rats) are easier to spot than others. Cockroaches, termites, and carpenter ants often remain hidden until significant damage has already occurred. Encapsulating your crawl space can prevent pests from entering your home in the first place.

Excessive Humidity Levels

The humidity levels here in the Southeast can be brutal, ranging from 60-80%+ in the summer. But does that mean you should live with high humidity levels in your home? Absolutely not!

High indoor humidity can lead to discomfort, health issues, and even structural damage. So, how can you keep it in check?

A hygrometer is a simple tool for measuring humidity in your home. By placing one in your crawl space, you can keep track of moisture levels and take action if they get too high.

Ideally, the humidity levels in your crawl space should be between 35% and 65%. Staying within this range helps prevent moisture problems, mold growth, and structural damage.

Moisture in your crawl space can significantly raise indoor humidity, leading to issues like mold and mildew. Crawl space encapsulation helps by sealing out moisture, maintaining optimal humidity levels, and protecting your home’s structural integrity and indoor air quality.

By monitoring and managing humidity levels, your indoor environment will be more comfortable and healthy. For homeowners in the humid Southeast, crawl space encapsulation is critical in achieving these goals.

Chronic Health Issues

The occasional cold or allergy attack is normal, but if you or your family suffer from chronic respiratory problems, it could be due to mold and other contaminants in your crawl space.

Some common respiratory issues that can arise from an unencapsulated crawl space include:

• Allergic Reactions: Mold spores can cause allergies, sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.
• Asthma: Mold exposure can provoke asthma attacks or even cause asthma to develop in individuals without a history of the disease.
• Respiratory Infections: Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and other symptoms can arise from exposure to mold and other contaminants in your crawl space.
• Fungal Infections: Prolonged exposure to mold and other contaminants can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of fungal infections.
• Flu-like Symptoms: Inhaling mold spores can lead to flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and congestion.

Good air quality is essential for a healthy indoor environment. Crawl space encapsulation improves indoor air quality by curbing mold growth and reducing the spread of allergens and other contaminants.

Odors and Mustiness in the Home

Having trouble pinpointing the source of a smell in your home? Musty or foul odors are often early signs of moisture problems in your crawl space. When you smell these odors, you’re likely also inhaling mold spores, leading to various health issues and deteriorating indoor air quality.

But bad odors and musty smells can also be attributed to other issues like:

• Decaying Materials: Rotting wood in your crawl space due to high humidity levels or standing water can produce a musty smell.
• Pest Infestations: Rodents and insects often leave behind droppings, urine, and dead animals that can emit strong odors.
• Standing Water: If your crawl space isn’t properly sealed off from the outside elements, water can easily seep into the pool, creating a damp, musty environment.
• Sewage or Plumbing Issues: Leaky pipes, sewage backups, and other plumbing problems can cause unpleasant smells to waft up from your crawl space.

Protect Your Home with Crawl Space Encapsulation by Lee Company

Ready to tackle those crawl space issues once and for all? Since 1944, Lee Company has been the trusted expert in crawl space encapsulation across Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama.

Whether you’re dealing with moisture, mold, pests, high humidity, or skyrocketing energy bills, we have the solutions you need:

• Crawl Space Encapsulation: Seal your crawl space with a vapor barrier to keep moisture and pests out.
• Dehumidification: Control humidity levels to prevent mold and mildew.
• Insulation and Vapor Barrier: Enhance your home’s energy efficiency.
• Crawl Space Ventilation: Improve air circulation and indoor air quality.

Don’t let crawl space problems compromise your comfort and safety. Our team of experts is ready to transform your crawl space into a clean, dry, and energy-efficient part of your home. Contact us today!