One of the most common questions we get asked is: what’s the difference between waterproofing and encapsulation? And which one do I need for my home?

If you're dealing with crawl space water or humidity issues, you have a few different options for addressing them. You can waterproof the crawl space, encapsulate it to address humidity, or do both. In this blog post, we'll discuss each of these options in detail and help you decide which is best for your home.

What is a crawl space?

A crawl space is a small, unfinished area beneath a house. It is typically used for storage or to house mechanical systems. Crawl spaces can be vented or unvented. Vented crawl spaces have air vents that allow outside air to enter the space, while unvented crawl spaces are sealed from the outside air.

One of the most common questions we get asked is: what’s the difference between waterproofing and encapsulation? And which one do I need for my home?

There are three ways to address crawl space moisture issues:

First, you can waterproof if the ground or foundation of your home gets wet. Second, there's encapsulation a sort-of like a plastic coating that goes on top and keeps water from getting inside (but not ideal for high humidity).

Crawl space waterproofing

Crawl space waterproofing focuses on keeping water out of the crawl space, by installing a drainage system. In some cases, a sump pump may also be installed to remove any water that does get into the crawl space. Waterproofing a crawl space can help to prevent mold and mildew growth, as well as wood rot and termite damage.

Crawl space encapsulation

Crawl space encapsulation is similar to crawl space waterproofing, but it also includes insulating the crawl space. Crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing the crawl space from moisture and water. This can be done by installing a vapor barrier on the walls and floor of the crawl space.

Finally...both. Crawl space encapsulation and crawl space waterproofing

The problem with just encapsulating the crawl space is that if there are any water issues, the water will seep up through the seams of the encapsulation plastic and sit on top of the plastic. This can make the situation worse. If you just do waterproofing, there is no assurance that the humidity will stay within a safe range. That's why it's best to do both encapsulation and waterproofing in order to create a crawl space that is dry, healthy, and pest-free.

With over 20 years of experience, we're experts in waterproofing and can help you keep your home dry during this wet weather. Don't wait, call now! 205-956-2426