If your home has humidity issues you can’t seem to get under control, your crawl space might be to blame! We’ve got two great options for making your home comfortable again: a vapor barrier or crawl space encapsulation.
What Is a Vapor Barrier?
If you have a crawl space, at some point or another, it probably had a thin layer of plastic across the ground. Maybe yours is still there but looking a bit rough. It might be missing in some places. Or maybe it’s totally shredded and almost unrecognizable! If you have a really old house, you might not even have one at all.
This plastic layer is called a vapor barrier. The ground has moisture in it, and this thin plastic sheet keeps the moisture from going into your crawlspace and home.
How to Tell You Need a Vapor Barrier
IIf you’re wondering if your home needs a vapor barrier, you might be noticing things around your house like:
- Musty smells
- Humidity issues
- Hardwood floors buckling
- An exposed dirt floor in your home’s crawl space
These are signs that a vapor barrier could help your home! When you call Morris-Jenkins, we can send a professional out to take a look at your crawl space for a free consultation. One of our Residential Specialists will ask you some questions and then take a close look around your crawlspace.
After they complete their evaluation, if a vapor barrier is a good idea for your home, they’ll either share some photos/videos of their findings or invite you to join them as they show you exactly what they noticed in your crawl space. They’ll present some options, and ultimately the decision is yours! If you decide a vapor barrier installation is the right move, our professionals can usually get the job done in one day.
What to Expect from Vapor Barrier Installation with Morris-Jenkins?
You’ve called us out for a consultation and decided you’d like to install a vapor barrier. Awesome! We get there faster and get the job done right… the first time!
Our pros will get to work right away, clearing out anything in the way in your crawl space. Some homes have scraps of a previous vapor barrier still lying around, so we make sure to clear that out as well. Once things are looking nice and tidy, we’ll stretch out your new crawl space vapor barrier across the ground of your crawl space and pin it into place. We’ll make sure it looks neat and feels secure, and then we’ll come get you to take a look at our work. Don’t feel like going into your crawl space? That’s okay! We can take pictures or videos for you instead.
How Long Does a Vapor Barrier Last?
Theoretically, a durable vapor barrier can last a REALLY long time. You shouldn’t have to worry about ever replacing it again. However, there are a few variables at play. Because it’s a thin plastic sheeting on the ground in your crawl space, foot traffic and animals walking across it can shorten the life of your vapor barrier.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Vapor Barrier?
You could have a brand-new vapor barrier installed FAST when you call Morris-Jenkins! After you call us out to look at your crawl space and give you a free quote, we can get your installation scheduled with our team. The install itself should only take a day! We work fast, but we never take shortcuts. When you schedule a vapor barrier installation with Morris-Jenkins, you’re making sure things are done the right way.
Think your home could benefit from a vapor barrier?
What is Crawlspace Encapsulation?
Sometimes, a vapor barrier isn’t enough to protect your home from the humidity coming from your crawlspace. If that’s the Sometimes, a vapor barrier isn’t enough to protect your home from the humidity coming from your crawl space. If that’s the case, crawl space encapsulation could be the answer! During this, we’ll:
- Wrap up your crawlspace walls, foundation, and piers with a thick white membrane (the material feels similar to a swimming pool liner)
- Close the foundation vents
- Add a foam barrier to brick walls or add insulation under the crawl space floor
- Install an airtight crawl door
- Set up water mitigation (such as French drains or a sump pump, if needed)
- Place a dehumidifier in the crawl space with a controller in the house so you can control your home’s humidity
A crawl space encapsulation is a thorough way to keep humidity levels down in your home while giving you a crawl space you can truly be proud of!
How to Tell You Need Crawlspace Encapsulation
You might need crawl space encapsulation if you’re noticing:
- Creaking floors
- Growth on the floor joists
- Rotting floor joists
- Bad odors (musty smells)
- Uncomfortable humidity in the home
- Bowing hardwood floors
Most families with crawl spaces just need a vapor barrier, but if your home suffers from extreme humidity issues, crawl space encapsulation might be a better move for your family.
What to Expect from a Crawlspace Encapsulation with Morris-Jenkins?
When you call Morris-Jenkins out about humidity issues, we’ll send a Residential Specialist to check out your crawlspace. We’ll ask you some questions about the problems you’ve been having, and we’ll take a close look around so we can come up with the best solution possible for your family.
When we’re done, we’ll have a conversation with you about options to get your home comfy and in great shape again.
Our team will clear out anything in the way in your crawl space, as well as any old insulation. Once things are looking clear, we’ll either add insulation under the floor or place foam insulation against the brick, seal it up with a white membrane that stretches from wall-to-wall, and we’ll handle any special water mitigation needs your home might have. This can include things like French drains or a sump pump.
But don’t worry—we’ll discuss all of the work before we get started so you know exactly what to expect.
How Long Does Crawlspace Encapsulation Last?
Once you’ve had your crawl space encapsulated, it can essentially last indefinitely! The material is thicker than a vapor barrier, so it’s sturdier. People who have had crawl space encapsulation take a lot of pride in the work they’ve had done (it looks really clean when it’s finished!). Understandably, they usually have anyone who enters their crawl space wear shoe covers to protect the encapsulation. This helps make sure it lasts a really, really long time!
How Long Does It Take to Encapsulate a Crawlspace?
Because crawl space encapsulation is a lot more involved, it takes longer to finish than a vapor barrier. Our team works quickly, but we wanna be sure to do things the right way so you have a crawl space you can truly be proud of. Typically, this kind of project takes us a few days to complete.
Wanna take advantage of some of the best crawl space encapsulation benefits? Call Morris-Jenkins!
Crawl Space Encapsulation Vs. Vapor Barriers
Choosing between a vapor barrier and an encapsulated crawl space comes down to a few factors:
Budget
Vapor barrier installation and crawl space encapsulation come at different costs. Typically, a full crawl space encapsulation will be the more expensive option since it’s an entire system designed to seal off the space. It includes insulation and usually even a dehumidifier.
Vapor barriers are a bit more basic, which is why they come with lower price tags. If you’re working with a tighter budget or only need a simple defense against ground moisture, a vapor barrier can be a solid starting point.
The Area’s Humidity
Humidity plays a big part in choosing between a vapor barrier and full encapsulation. If you live in an area with consistently high humidity, a vapor barrier might not be enough to keep moisture out of your crawlspace. Encapsulation creates a controlled environment, adds insulation, and often includes a dehumidifier to keep humidity in check.
For homes in wetter climates or neighborhoods with lots of moisture issues, encapsulation usually delivers better protection.
Current Moisture Concerns
If you’re already seeing signs of moisture, like musty smells, growth, wood rot, or pests, a vapor barrier may not address all of the underlying problems. Encapsulation is a more complete solution since it seals the entire space and helps control both humidity and airflow.
For crawl spaces with ongoing excess moisture concerns, encapsulation gives you a better chance at long-term results and protects the rest of your home from further damage.
Long-Term Goals
Your plans for the home can help determine which option makes the most sense. If you’re looking for a quick, budget-friendly fix, a vapor barrier can help you better control moisture and prevent issues.
But if you wanna improve your home’s energy efficiency, save on monthly energy bills, prevent structural damage, enjoy a healthier living space, or experience improved air quality, encapsulation offers the most benefits. Since it seals and conditions the space, it’s designed to support the long-term health and comfort of your home.
Morris-Jenkins is Here to Help Your Crawlspace Stay Safe and Dry
Crawl space moisture is a concern for every homeowner who relies on these foundations. They come in pretty close contact with the ground, and that can allow the moisture from the soil to creep into the space. Over time, that extra moisture can lead to growth, wood rot, and even changes in your indoor air quality since the air from your crawlspace eventually moves up into the rest of your home.
When your crawlspace stays dry and protected, your whole home becomes safer and more comfortable. The experts at Morris-Jenkins can help you figure out whether a vapor barrier or full encapsulation is the right choice for your space, your budget, and your long-term goals. We’ll walk you through the options, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident about keeping your crawlspace safe, healthy, and moisture-free.
Request a Consultation for Your Crawlspace from Morris-Jenkins
Ready to see what we can do to improve the humidity in your home? We make it easy to schedule. You can call, text, or schedule online! Every house is different, which is why we wanna get you set up with one of our Residential Specialists.
They can answer all your questions and make sure we come up with the perfect plan for YOUR home. Before you know it, we can have your entire crawl space taken care of, turning your humidity problems into a thing of the past!
With Morris-Jenkins, you can say goodbye to humidity problems…and hello to a much more comfortable home! No matter what your crawl space needs, we’re here to make things right!
