Crawl Space Encapsulation in Nashville and Cookeville, TN

Can crawl space encapsulation protect your home effectively? Yes! Especially here in Tennessee, where we often deal with hot and humid weather, crawl space encapsulation is very much worth the cost. It offers several benefits, including improved energy efficiency, healthier indoor air quality, peace of mind, and an increase in property value. Crawl space encapsulation can make your home healthier, safer, and more comfortable to live in, helping prevent mold growth, unwanted standing water, pest infestations, and foul air in the crawl space, along with the many other problems we’ve already discussed.

Crawl space encapsulation cost can vary widely depending on the size of your crawl space, the condition it is currently in, and the materials and labor required for the job. If you are a homeowner in or around Middle Tennessee in areas such as Nashville, Cookeville, Franklin, Smyrna, Watertown, La Vergne, Mt. Juliet, Carthage, Madison, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Lebanon, Hartsville, Brentwood, Woodbury, or Crossville, TN, contact us today for a free assessment and cost estimate! We’d be happy to compare quotes and develop a customized plan for your crawl space.

Along with a high-quality vapor barrier, you will need a dehumidifier or another air-managing technology in your encapsulated crawl space in order for your crawl space to be properly encapsulated. Barrier Waterproofing Systems has experimented over the years by ducting air from HVAC units into the crawl space or installing an exhaust fan to the exterior with fresh air drawn down from the interior space. However, time and time again, we have found that dehumidifiers are the best solution for most crawl spaces. High-quality dehumidifiers, such as the April-Aire dehumidifiers that we use, have a durable design with corrosion-resistant aluminum coils to ensure their integrity. A small April-Aire E070 dehumidifier can remove 70+ pints of water per day from your crawl space!

At Barrier Waterproofing Systems, we strive to associate ourselves with the best crawlspace and basement waterproofing materials on the market in order to give you a long-term and cost-effective solution. Our team of professionals will install high-quality vapor barriers in your crawl space that will protect against water intrusion for 30 years or more!

In theory, DIY crawl space encapsulation is possible since any type of HDPE barrier covering the crawl space can help block excess moisture if there is no remaining standing water present. However, the DIY crawl space encapsulation route is time-consuming, expensive, and not nearly as effective, especially if you use the low-quality, less expensive materials available at your local hardware store. Most DIY crawl space encapsulation jobs only last 3 to 5 years due to filler materials in the plastic liner that degrade when exposed to soil chemicals and humidity levels. Selecting the right crawl space vapor barrier requires an expert eye and connections to industry-leading manufacturers.

The most impactful investment is in the time and effort it takes professionals to prep your home’s crawl space and install a high-quality vapor barrier. Choosing professional crawl space encapsulation is ideal for your home’s foundation and crawl space as it promises long-lasting results and minimal need for additional foundation repair or crawl space mold remediation. We offer free inspections, so there’s no reason not to at least call us and compare quotes!

If you smell a “cat pee” odor or similar musty smells coming from your crawl space, you are not alone! The odor actually originates from the decomposition of organic material in the soil under the home. This can be compounded by excess moisture levels in the soil that occur post-encapsulation. Once a crawl space is encapsulated, the moisture barrier we put into place prevents water infiltration. Without anywhere for this water seepage to travel, evaporation happens at a slower rate. This can reactivate dormant microorganisms that then break down organic material at an accelerated speed — that’s why a crawl space that may not have smelled before the encapsulation may start to smell.

The ammonia released in this process is what creates the cat pee smell. This is because cat pee contains ammonia, the substance that creates the significant smell we associate with cat pee. When organic matter breaks down in the soil, the microorganisms decompose the organic matter back into more basic components. As a result, ammonia is released in high pH soils, while less-toxic Ammonium is released in lower pH soils.

While a cat pee smell from your crawl space is not a serious issue compared to harmful moisture in your basement or structural damage to your home’s foundation, it can still be irritating and worrisome. Barrier Waterproofing Systems can help you find the best solutions for this problem. Many companies throw up their hands as they do not know what causes this or how to go about solving the issue. Barrier has sealing and exhaust techniques that will solve unpleasant odors and other moisture-related issues. We have earned rave reviews from many homeowners over the years by helping solve moisture problems, even for crawl space encapsulation systems that we did not even originally install. Call us today for a free inspection and safeguard both your home’s structural integrity and your nose!