Crawl Space Encapsulation in Metro Detroit
Crawl space inspection, repair, waterproofing and encapsulation, done in the right order. Free inspection and a written quote from a licensed Michigan builder.
- 4.9 on Google (46 reviews)
- Licensed MI builder #262400278
- Free inspection, written price first
- Free 6-month check-up after every job
- Based in Farmington Hills
Crawl space encapsulation, in short
Crawl space encapsulation seals the floor and walls of a crawl space with a moisture barrier, seals the seams and vents, and insulates the walls, so the space is cut off from the damp soil underneath and the humid air outside.
It only works if the water and any rot are dealt with first. So we inspect, clear out, repair, and stop the water, then seal. Air from a crawl space rises into the rooms above it, so a drier crawl space means less damp and less musty smell in the house.
Signs your crawl space needs work
- Damp or musty odors coming up into the house
- Standing water, wet soil, or condensation in the crawl space
- Mold or mildew on joists, subfloor, or insulation
- Insulation that has fallen down or is hanging wet
- Sagging or soft floors above the crawl space
- Rodent or insect activity under the house
Crawl space inspection: what we check
We look at the floor, the walls and the wood. Standing water or wet soil, fallen or wet insulation, condensation on pipes and ducts, and the condition of the joists, subfloor, sill plate and support posts. Outside, we check the grade and downspouts, because water in a crawl space usually starts as a drainage problem outside.
Crawl space repair comes first
If we find rot, sagging joists, a failed support post or a damaged sill plate, it gets repaired before anything is sealed. Sealing over structural damage just hides it. The repair is part of the same quote, so it does not need a second visit to start.
Foundation and structural repair →
Book your free crawl space inspection
We come out, find the cause, and give you a written quote. Call 248-635-3767 or request a visit online.
- 4.9 on Google (46 reviews)
- Licensed MI builder #262400278
- Free inspection, written price first
- Free 6-month check-up after every job
- Based in Farmington Hills
Crawl space waterproofing: stop the water before you seal
If water is getting into the crawl space, no barrier will hold it back on its own. Depending on the source we correct grade and downspouts outside, install perimeter drainage inside, or set a sump to move groundwater out. The barrier goes on top of a space that is already staying dry.
Crawl space moisture barrier, vapor barrier or full encapsulation?
A vapor barrier is plastic laid over a dirt floor to slow the moisture coming up out of the ground. Full encapsulation uses a heavier moisture barrier across the floor and up the walls, seals every seam, pier and penetration, insulates the walls and closes the vents, so the crawl space becomes part of the sealed shell of the house.
A barrier on its own helps. Encapsulation is what changes the humidity. Venting a crawl space was standard practice for decades, but in a Michigan summer it mostly pulls humid air onto cool surfaces, where it condenses.
Crawl space dehumidification: do you need a dehumidifier?
Sometimes. A properly sealed crawl space with the water source controlled usually holds a reasonable humidity on its own. If it still runs humid after encapsulation, or the house has a history of moisture problems, a dedicated dehumidifier can be worth adding. We would rather seal it correctly first and see where the humidity settles.
How the work goes
Why customers call Swift Dry
- Free crawl space inspection and written quote
- Licensed Michigan residential builder, license 262400278
- 4.9 rating on Google (46 reviews)
- Repairs and encapsulation in one quote
- Water dealt with before anything is sealed
- Based in Farmington Hills, serving Metro Detroit since 2023
What you get with every job
Before you let anyone into your basement, you should know what you are signing up for. Here is what every Swift Dry customer gets.
Warranty terms are set job by job; when one applies, it is written into your quote.
- A free inspection, inside and out
- We look at the basement and the ground around the house to find where the water or movement starts. No charge and no obligation.
- A written scope and price first
- You get the work, the walls involved and the price in writing before anything starts. If a smaller fix will do, we say so and quote that.
- A licensed, insured Michigan builder
- Swift Dry is a licensed and insured Michigan Residential Builder Company, license 262400278. You can look it up on the state's LARA search.
- A free check-up about six months later
- After the work is done, we come back for a free visit to check it. Every job gets one.
- Financing if you want it
- Three financing options on your quote, with pre-approval on request.
Articles on crawl space encapsulation
- Why does my basement smell musty in fall and winter?Why a basement smells musty once the house is closed up for fall and winter, how to tell humidity from an active leak, and what to fix first.
- Crawl space moisture and cold floors: what is going on under the houseWhy rooms over a crawl space get cold floors and damp smells in winter, how air and moisture rise from the crawl space, and what fixes it in the right order.
What Metro Detroit homeowners say
Rated 4.9 on Google from 46 reviews. Read the reviews.
Crawl space questions
Do you encapsulate crawl spaces near me?
Yes, if you are in Metro Detroit. We are based in Farmington Hills and take crawl space jobs across Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw and Macomb counties. Recent jobs include Ann Arbor, Detroit, Ypsilanti, Saline, Canton, Livonia, Warren, Waterford, Troy and West Bloomfield. Call 248-635-3767 and we will tell you straight whether we can get to your address.
What does crawl space encapsulation cost?
It depends on what the inspection finds: where the water or movement starts, how much of the house is involved, and how much digging or clean-out comes first. A small vapor barrier job and a full system are very different prices, so we do not publish a range. The inspection is free, and you get a written price before any work starts.
How long does crawl space encapsulation take?
Most crawl spaces take one to three days, depending on size and how much clean-out and repair comes first. The timeline is in writing with the quote.
What is crawl space encapsulation?
Encapsulation seals the crawl space off from the damp soil under it so that moisture stays out of the air in the space and the house above it. It comes after any water and rot have been dealt with.
Do you fix standing water and rot before encapsulating?
Yes. Swift Dry looks at the water source and the condition of the framing first, because sealing a crawl space over standing water or damaged wood just traps the problem. If drainage or a sump pump is needed, that is part of the written quote.
Do I need a dehumidifier in my crawl space?
Sometimes. A properly sealed crawl space with the water source controlled usually holds a reasonable humidity on its own. If it still runs humid after encapsulation, or the house has a history of moisture problems, Swift Dry can add a dedicated dehumidifier, but we would rather seal the space correctly first and see where the humidity settles.
Get your free crawl space inspection
Honest quote, no obligation. Serving Metro Detroit from Farmington Hills.
- 4.9 on Google (46 reviews)
- Licensed MI builder #262400278
- Free inspection, written price first
- Free 6-month check-up after every job
- Based in Farmington Hills