The Hidden Risks of Poor Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl space encapsulation protects your home’s structure, air quality, and long-term health. Done correctly with high-quality materials, precise installation, and proper moisture management, it keeps your crawl space dry, prevents mold, and safeguards your home for decades.

But when a contractor, encapsulation provider, or company cuts corners, uses low-quality materials, or lacks expertise, the results can be disastrous—creating new problems that are more costly than the original issues.

Key Risks

Low-Quality Materials – Cheap or recycled vapor barriers degrade over time, releasing odors like cat urine, dead animals, mustiness, or chemicals. Virgin polyurethane avoids these issues.

Poor Sealing – Gaps in seams, walls, or penetrations let humidity in, causing condensation, mold, wood rot, and energy inefficiency.

Trapped Moisture – Without proper drainage, dehumidification, and airflow, moisture fuels mold, odors, pests, and structural decay.

Covering Water Intrusion – Sealing over water problems can destroy wood, attract pests, worsen mold, and require $10,000–$25,000+ in repairs.

Improper Equipment – Without correctly sized dehumidifiers, airflow, and drainage, the system fails quickly.

Unqualified Companies – Pest control or add-on services often lack training and experience, resulting in failed encapsulations, mold, odors, and wood damage.

Ignoring Codes and Guidelines – EPA standards and building codes are essential. Skipping them risks mold, structural damage, and unsafe air quality.

Protect Your Investment

Choose a company that:

• Uses virgin polyurethane liners
• Employs trained in-house crews
• Follows EPA and code-compliant methods
• Addresses water intrusion before installation
• Installs proper dehumidification and airflow

Done right, encapsulation protects your home for decades. Done wrong, it’s costly and dangerous.

Thank you for stopping by! I’m passionate about helping homeowners protect their homes and investments. As a full-time crawl space inspector, I often see problems that could have been prevented.

Contact me: michelle@crawlspaceninja.com or 

828-319-7643

Michelle Fleckner

Flicker Indoor Air Solutions