Why You Should Encapsulate Your Raleigh Crawl Space​

Reason #1: To Protect Against Mold

In a humid climate, like we have in Raleigh, North Carolina, a vented crawl space is subject to the key ingredients for mold: high air relative humidity, limited airflow, low light, and moderate to hot air. By properly sealing a crawlspace and adding environmental conditioning (air induction and/or dehumidification), we alleviate those conditions and inhibit mold propagation.

Reason #2: To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Building science studies show that an average of 40% of the air we breath in our Raleigh homes originates in the crawlspace. An average vented crawlspace has very poor-quality air infused with mold, mildew, rust, wood rot, deteriorated fiberglass insulation, pest urine/feces/corpses, dust, pathogens and natural vapors (odors from decaying organic matter in the crawlspace soil).

This poor-quality air gets into your living space via the stack effect (natural movement of air upwards through a home) and leaks in your Raleigh crawlspace installed HVAC ducts and components.

A sealed crawlspace in your Raleigh NC home moderates relative humidity which inhibits mold, mildew, rust, wood rot and other dangerous elements.

Fiberglass insulation is not needed for an encapsulated crawl space and is thus removed and no longer present to be an air quality deterrent.

An encapsulated crawlspace blocks ingress points to keep pests (insects, rodents, snakes, etc.) out.

A good-quality vapor barrier will also guard against odorous vapors.

We can further alleviate bad odors by applying a natural deodorization spray to your Raleigh crawl space, comprised of non-pathogenic bacteria and enzymes that are specially designed to consume (not just cover) decaying organic matter.

The hallmark of a well-sealed crawlspace is the elimination of poor-quality air which directly improves indoor air quality in your living space above.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Option #1: Crawlbarrier®

If your existing fiberglass insulation is in good shape, we can seal the crawlspace with CrawlBarrier®.

We start by installing polyethylene vapor barrier to the crawlspace ground of your Raleigh home. We install white vapor barrier (options for 10-mil, 10-mil reinforced, 12-mil reinforced, or 16-mil reinforced). All of the vapor barrier options are much stronger than the 6-mil products allowed by building code. We set the vapor in place with heavy-gauge galvanized liner staples, roll fully up at the foundation piers, roll-up at the perimeter walls (will be subsequently sealed to the perimeter walls by the CrawlBarrier®, and we tape the vapor barrier at all foundation piers and panel seams.

We then mechanically fasten CrawlBarrier® to the crawlspace perimeter walls and tape all of the panel seams. The foundation vents are further sealed with foam board and foam spray.

By installing CrawlBarrier® to the crawlspace perimeter walls, we seal the crawlspace from the outside air. We then add a means to condition the residual moisture from the crawlspace with either air induction or a dehumidifier.

crawl space encapsulation

Crawl Space Encapsulation Option #2: Closed-Cell Spray Foam

This option starts with removing and hauling away the existing fiberglass insulation from your Raleigh home. We then air-seal the subfloor which separates the living space above from the crawlspace by sealing all penetrations with foam spray. New polyethylene vapor barrier (options for 10-mil, 10-mil reinforced, 12-mil reinforced, or 16-mil reinforced) is installed on the crawlspace ground; set it in place with heavy-gauge galvanized liner staples, full roll-ups on the foundation piers, roll-ups on the perimeters walls (will be subsequently sealed sealed to the walls with the Spray Foam), and vapor barrier tape on all foundation piers and panel seams.

We then seal with crawlspace with 2″ closed-cell spray foam applied to the crawlspace exterior wall and rim joists. The still plate and 3″ below the still plate remain exposed for future termite inspections.

Once sealed, we install air induction, a dehumidifier, or a combination of both in order to extract residual air moisture from the crawlspace.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Option #3: Bora-Foam® Rigid Foam Board

With option #3, we follow the same initial steps as option #2, but instead of applying 2” closed-cell spray foam, we seal the crawl space walls of your Raleigh home with BoraFoam® Rigid Foam Board

BoraFoam® is 2.5″ thick and set into the crawlspace exterior wall with concrete anchors, the seams taped with vapor barrier tape, and the edges sealed with foam spray. We further install the BoraFoam® onto the rim joists, sealed with foam spray. The still plate and 3″ below the still plate remains exposed for future termite inspections.

BoraFoam® is pretreated with Borate, an anti-termite additive. It also comes pre-laminated with 3-mil polyethylene vapor barrier attached on each side (6-mil accumulative).

Bora-Foam® provides a cleaner appearance that Spray Foam, as Spray Foam expands unevenly when applied.

Being a cured foam board, there is no off-gassing in the crawlspace during installation. For Raleigh homeowners sensitive to chemicals being used in/around their home, this is a substantive benefit of this Option.

Raleigh Crawl Space Encapsulation Photos

Click on any of the images below to enlarge them.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Raleigh NC Reviews

Better Business Bureau
4.83 Stars
39 Reviews

Angi
5.0 Stars
42 Reviews

HomeAdvisor
4.9 Stars
76 Reviews

Porch
4.83 Stars
238 Reviews

Nextdoor
59 Recommendations

Google
4.8 Stairs
66 Reviews

We had our crawl space semi-sealed, the vents sealed and a dehumidifier installed. I am very impressed with Matt and his no pressure sales style. He gave us options of what he could do and gave us a suggestion as to what he thought was the right thing for us to do. It was not the most expensive like most others but right for our needs. He and his crew were great. On time, organized, neat, friendly, answered all my questions and did I mention NEAT? Great job and a fair price. Also, Matt follows up after the job is done. Thanks Matt.
crawl space mold remediation
Ron T.
Raleigh, NC
I am chair of the board of a small townhouse community in Chapel Hill. One of our buildings of has had crawlspace problems with moisture and falling insulation for years. We had periodically replaced the insulation which inevitably failed and the problem gradually worsened. When I first met with Brock Emmons my relief was palatable. He gave me a clear, concise, rational description of our problems - and he had solutions. Briefly Triangle Radiant Barrier did mold remediation, fully encapsulated the crawlspaces, and installed monitored dehumidifiers. Their team was prompt, efficient, courteous, and competent. Their work is protecting our home environment and investment. I highly recommend them.
crawl space mold remediation
Doris C.
Chapel Hill, NC
I had Triangle Radiant Barrier improve my crawlspace. They did an excellent job. The crews were very professional and diligent in performing their work tasks. The owner was very easy to work with and was very accommodating to schedule the work around my time frames. The Customer Service of this company is exceptional.
crawl space mold remediation
Kiley M.
Coats, NC
Like others leaving reviews here, I spoke with other companies about helping me fix my crawl space. The home was new to us, but 25 years' old, and over the years a lot of insulation went missing, some mold appeared around some of the duct penetrations up into the first floor and in an area known to leak previously from gutter issues, had an exposed area of crawl floor with no vapor barrier needing attention, and wanted some crawl door "hatches" installed to assist with eliminating significant air leakage. They addressed all this work and added two air supply vents from existing duct to help feed air into the area and keep things dry. Matt did suggest using (and I bought it from him) a remote device for measuring the humidity level in my crawl, so now I can see how things are doing from family room (or anywhere) whenever I want. Nice. Everything from Matt's initial visit to estimating the work right on through to the final inspection was top-notch and professional. Matt provided pricing options for everything he saw, but then counseled me on what he thought would provide the best value for the money in terms of action items to do. I liked that a lot. Let me have some say in what I want to accomplish with the understanding of what it will cost so I can work my budget accordingly. The work was performed extremely well; they showed up as scheduled, the work was performed with great quality and attention; they cleaned up; and overall Matt and his guys were just nice and polite. I could not have hoped for a better experience and outcome. I intend to use TRB again in the near future to address issues in my attic this time. Matt has already priced out all the work, presented all the options, and suggested what might make the most sense to do (or at least start with). If you work with TRB, you will not be disappointed. This is a top-notch company.
crawl space mold remediation
Tim P.
Newland, NC
I highly recommend Triangle Radiant Barrier. They were excellent to work with on my crawl space improvement project - extremely knowledgeable, responsive, professional, and high quality work. We are very satisfied with the outcome.
crawl space mold remediation
Robert B.
Durham, NC
Triangle Radiant Barrier provided services for both a sealed crawl space and a sealed attic space. The work done was exceptional. The customer service and the commitment to customer satisfaction were evident in all aspects of the job. I would recommend this company to anyone.
crawl space mold remediation
Leslie S.
Garner, NC