Crawl Space Encapsulation & Insulation in Dickson, TN

Crawl space encapsulation and insulation addresses the most common moisture problem in Middle Tennessee homes. Many houses around Dickson sit on vented crawl spaces. In summer, the vents pull in hot, humid outside air. When that air reaches the cooler ground, ducts and floor framing under the house, its moisture condenses. Over time that leads to wet, sagging batts, damp wood, musty smells and floors that feel clammy.

What encapsulation means

We close the vents, lay a heavy vapor barrier over the ground and up the walls, seal the seams and the edges, and insulate the foundation walls and rim joist with closed-cell foam. The crawl space becomes part of the house rather than part of the outdoors. Because moisture still has to go somewhere, the plan includes a way to dry the space, such as a dehumidifier or a small supply of conditioned air, which we discuss during the visit.

Insulating the walls instead of the floor

Tennessee's 2018-based code summary lists R-13 cavity or R-10 continuous for crawl space walls in Zone 4. Closed-cell foam at R-5 to R-7 per inch reaches that in a couple of inches, seals the rim at the same time and does not absorb water.

Water comes first

If water runs into the crawl space when it rains, encapsulation alone will not fix it. We look at gutters, downspouts, grading and any standing water, and tell you what needs to happen before we seal the space. On Highland Rim hillsides, uphill drainage is often the culprit.