How much does encapsulating a crawl space cost?

A homeowner will spend $5,500 on average to install a crawl space encapsulation system. Total costs, including supplies and professional labor, range from $1,500 to $15,000.

Is encapsulating your crawl space worth it?

Yes, it is worth and you will not regret. You can protect your crawl space from damages and health hazards, thus making it a very useful space for households. Together with crawl space insulation and vapor barrier installation, Crawl Space Encapsulation has continuously become popular in the past few years.

What are the cons of encapsulating a crawl space?

List of the Cons of Crawl Space Encapsulation

• There is a cost consideration to look at with crawl space encapsulation.
• You may need to have foundation wall insulation for your new system.
• There are additional maintenance costs to consider.
• You may need to upgrade your HVAC system.

How much does it cost to encapsulate 1000 sq ft crawl space?

We take the total square footage of the crawlspace area and multiply it by our cost per square foot, which is $9.36. So, if you have a 1,000 sqft house the cost to encapsulate the crawlspace would be $9,360. This price would include laying the 20 mil encapsulation material throughout the entire floor of the crawlspace.

How much does it cost to install a vapor barrier in a crawl space?

Overall, the average cost of installation for a vapor barrier is between $1,200 and $4,000. This includes materials and labor.

Is a vapor barrier necessary in a crawl space?

Yes. You need a vapor barrier in your crawl space. What’s more, a moisture barrier is the minimum amount of protection that you should have in your crawl space. A vapor barrier helps you to avoid expensive repairs.

Should a crawl space be sealed or vented?

Because much of the air you breathe in your home comes directly from your crawl space, most contractors today agree that the crawl space should be treated as part of your living area—in other words, it should be sealed, insulated and kept free of moisture.

Does homeowners insurance cover crawl space encapsulation?

Even though crawl space encapsulation isn’t covered by your homeowners insurance, it can still be a worthwhile investment. It’s a measure that can make it more difficult for standing water to build up in the first place and it also makes it easier to remove water that does pool in the foundation of your home.

How much is a vapor barrier for crawl space?

Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Cost A crawl space vapor barrier costs $0.15 to $0.50 per square foot on average, depending on the thickness of the plastic, which ranges from 6 to 20 millimeters. An average vapor barrier installation costs $2 to $4 per square foot or between $1,200 and $4,000 for materials and labor.

What is the best vapor barrier for a crawl space?

Choosing a Crawlspace Vapor Barrier Thickness ‘ A mil is equal to 0.001 inch of thickness. Codes for residential applications often cite a 6 mil (0.006-inch thick) minimum reinforced poly vapor barrier. However, Americover recommends 10 mil or higher, for crawl space applications.

What is the best insulation to use in a crawl space?

The Building Science Corporation recommends a foam based insulation as the best insulation for crawl spaces because it creates an air barrier. This means spray foam is the best floor insulation so you won’t need to wear extra pairs of socks.

Is it normal to have a little water in a crawl space?

Aside from structural problems with your house, moisture in your crawl space can lead to the growth of mildew and mold. While a small amount of moisture in your crawl space can be normal, especially if you live in a humid climate or a region with high annual rainfall, it is not a good idea to allow it to remain there.

What do you need to encapsulate a crawl space?

When encapsulating a crawl space, we clean out all debris, level the soil under the crawl space, install a 15-mil reinforced liner, permanently adhered to the foundation wall and support piers. All seams are double sealed with Seam-weld (a patented material) to render the encapsulation water-tight.

Why is fiberglass insulation bad for crawl space?

In crawl spaces, fiberglass insulation does more harm than good. Insulation retains moisture and then holds it against the wood. It also prevents air flow that would dry it out. This long-term exposure to moisture causes wood decay fungus and mold.

Why is there moisture in my crawl space?

When humid air enters the crawl space due to a lack of cross ventilation, it condenses on the cool HVAC duct system and then “rains” in the crawl space, elevating the moisture level. The insulation in this home was wet and was removed exposing the floor joists and sub-floor, revealing rot and wood decay fungus.