Why vented crawl spaces fail in the Wiregrass
Foundation vents were meant to let air dry the crawl space. In southeast Alabama, the outdoor air is usually wetter than the air under the house. From May through September, vents pull in warm, humid air that condenses on cool joists, ducts and pipes. Over a few summers that moisture rots wood, grows mold, and drops fiberglass insulation onto the ground.
What our encapsulation includes
- Removal of old plastic, wet insulation and debris
- A thick, reinforced liner across the ground and up the foundation walls
- Every seam overlapped and taped, with the liner fastened to the walls and sealed around piers
- Foundation vents closed and sealed with insulated covers
- An airtight, insulated access door
- A crawl space dehumidifier, drained to the exterior, set to hold 45 to 55 percent humidity
- Before and after photos of the whole space
What changes after encapsulation
Most homeowners notice the musty smell is gone within days. Floors feel warmer in winter and less clammy in summer. Ducts stop sweating, and the AC no longer has to remove moisture that came in from under the house. The wood framing dries out and stays dry, which protects the structure and makes termite inspections easier.
A clean, white encapsulated crawl space is also a selling point. Buyers' inspectors see a sealed, dry space instead of a list of moisture problems.
Is your crawl space a good candidate?
Almost any vented crawl space in Dothan can be encapsulated. If you have standing water after storms, we may add a drainage channel and sump pump first. If joists or beams are already damaged, we repair them before sealing. We will tell you exactly what your space needs after the free inspection.
How long it takes
Most Dothan homes take two to three days, depending on square footage, clearance and how much old material must come out. You can stay home the whole time; all work happens under the house.