Protect Your Home from the Ground Up: Crawlspace Encapsulation in Orlando
In Orlando, Florida, crawlspaces are a common—but often overlooked—component of many homes. Because of our climate, soil, storm patterns, and typical home construction, crawlspace problems can lead to serious issues if not addressed. In this post we cover everything from what kinds of problems homeowners face with crawlspaces, why Orlando is particularly vulnerable, what crawlspace encapsulation is, and most importantly, why it works.
Crawlspace Risks & Common Issues in Orlando
Orlando’s geography and climate expose homes with crawlspaces to a number of risks. Some of the key issues are:
High Humidity & Moisture Intrusion
Central Florida has lots of humidity nearly year-round. Combined with frequent rain, tropical storms, and sometimes poor drainage, this leads to moisture getting into crawlspaces. Moisture can come through ground vapor, surface runoff, plumbing leaks, or even from warm, moist air entering through vents or gaps.
Mold, Mildew, & Fungal Growth
Where moisture lingers, mold and mildew thrive. This not only damages wood framing, insulation, and other materials, but also degrades indoor air quality and can impact health (especially for people with allergies or respiratory sensitivities).
Wood Rot & Structural Damage
Wood beams, joists, floor support posts, sill plates etc., when exposed to moisture over time, can rot, warp, or lose strength. Floors might sag, crawlspace supports might deteriorate, and foundational elements may be compromised.
Pest & Termite Problems
Damp, dark crawlspaces are highly inviting to pests—termites, wood-destroying insects, rodents, etc. Moisture helps sustain these infestations; once pests have damaged wood or insulation, repairs can get costly.
Energy Loss, High Utility Bills & Poor Indoor Comfort
A crawlspace that’s damp and poorly insulated allows heat and humid air to infiltrate the home; air leaks and moisture often cause HVAC systems to work harder, increasing utility costs. Floors may feel cold or clammy, and the home may feel uncomfortable.
Storm / Flood Related Stress
Orlando is in a region subject to heavy rainstorms and hurricane season. In heavy rainfall, poor site grading or inadequate drainage can lead to water pooling under homes, potentially flooding crawlspaces. Hydrostatic pressure can damage foundations and lead to leaks or structural shifts.
Why Orlando (& Central Florida) Has Special Considerations
Humidity and rainfall patterns, soil types, building practices, and storm impact are just some of the most common challenges Florida homeowners face when it comes to crawlspace damage. The warm, humid climate and frequent storms make moisture control a constant battle. Dry spells may be brief, while condensation and vapor intrusion are ongoing concerns. 
When it comes to Florida's sandy soils, these have a tendency to settle, or drain poorly depending on grading, compaction, and local elevation. Poor soil drainage exacerbates moisture problems beneath the structure. Many older homes have crawlspaces with exposed dirt floors, vents, minimal barriers, insulation that may be degraded or missing. These older designs weren’t always built with modern moisture control in mind. Heavy rainfall and flooding risk during storms can push water into crawlspaces or cause soil washout underneath. Homes in low-lying areas or with poor drainage are especially vulnerable.
What Is Crawlspace Encapsulation & How It’s Installed
Crawlspace encapsulation is a systematic approach to sealing and modifying the crawlspace environment to keep moisture, pests, and adverse air exchange out, stabilizing humidity and protecting structural elements. It involves more than just laying down plastic; done correctly it involves evaluation, moisture control, sealing, insulation, and potentially drainage systems. Here’s how it works in practice:
Inspection & Assessment
At LRE Foundation Repair, our trained design specialists utilize the Cleanspace encapsulation system, starting with a thorough inspection: checking moisture sources (groundwater, leaks), condition of wood, insulation, support posts, vents, existing barriers, access points, and more. The whole crawlspace and surrounding areas are carefully examined, including looking at grading around the home, plumbing leaks, foundation cracks, vapor rising from soil, etc.
Address Water & Drainage Issues First
If there’s standing water, poor slope around the house, or problems with plumbing leaks, these need fixing first. Sometimes installing a sump pump, French drains, or improving the slope of the ground so surface water doesn’t pool near foundation are part of this step. Our design team custom creates the perfect one-of-a-kind solution to fit the exact home's needs.
Seal Exterior Vents, Gaps & Air Leaks
Crawlspaces often have vents (for airflow) that let in humid air, pests, etc. In many encapsulation systems, like LRE's Cleanspace, these are sealed off using vent covers. Any cracks in foundation walls, gaps around plumbing, wiring, and/or access doors are also sealed.
Vapor Barrier & Insulation Installation
A heavy plastic (polyethylene) vapor barrier is laid over the crawlspace floor and typically up the walls or piers. Thickness matters—thicker barriers are more durable. All seams and wall connections are sealed and overlapped with the barrier once complete. Insulation, like Silverglo, is also installed or upgraded where needed. Silverglo placed on crawl space walls holds back the moisture and humidity. Old insulation is removed in the process.
Humidity Control: Dehumidifiers & Ventilation
Even with sealing, Florida’s ambient humidity and moisture from soil can persist. A dehumidifier in the crawlspace, and/or conditioned ventilation, helps keep humidity levels below critical thresholds.
Finishing Touches & Quality Control
The experts at LRE cover every base when it comes to Cleanspace Encapsulation services. We ensure all seams are sealed, vapor barriers are supported and crawlspaces stay cool and dry. Because crawlspace encapsulation involves structural, moisture, air quality, and sometimes mechanical systems, hiring someone who is properly licensed, insured, and experienced is important for many reasons. When hiring our experienced team at LRE, we ensure building code and permit compliance are met, we inspect the whole foundation for hidden problems-- not just the visible ones in the crawlspace, we use top-of-the-line, quality materials and offer homeowners a warranty on works provided.
Long-Term Benefits of Proper Encapsulation
When done correctly, encapsulation can deliver significant benefits over the years, to include improved indoor air quality and health, structural preservation and prevention of rot and decay, and lower energy bills followed by greater comfort with peace of mind. High-cost repairs can be avoided as well when addressing crawlspace issues early on, not to mention the increase to property value and/or selling appeal.
Knowing that your home is better protected from moisture, pests, foundation issues, etc., especially in Florida’s climate where bad weather can exacerbate hidden issues, is a big plus. Encapsulation is an investment. For Orlando homeowners, the risks posed by moisture, humidity, storms, and aging crawlspace infrastructure are real and ongoing. Crawlspace encapsulation isn’t just a luxury—it can be a smart, preventative measure that protects health, structure, comfort, and home value.
If you suspect you have issues, like musty smells, sagging floors, visible mold, dampness under your home, or pest problems, it’s worth getting a licensed contractor, like LRE Foundation Repair, to do a free inspection and give you a detailed plan. The cost up front will often be far less than letting damage accumulate over time. Call LRE for a free estimate today.
