Crawl Space Encapsulation in Chickamauga, GA

Chickamauga is a small, historic Walker County town near the battlefield, set against the foot of Lookout and Pigeon Mountains. It's a mix of older in-town homes and rural properties on the surrounding land — and both sit over crawl spaces that, if vented, are trapping mountain runoff and humid air against the framing. The fix for both is a real seal, not a dehumidifier.

OLD CHARM, OLD LEAKS

Why Chickamauga homes need crawl space encapsulation

A vented crawl space pulls humid North Georgia air in through the foundation, where it condenses on the cooler ground and framing. With the mountains nearby, runoff feeds water toward many properties, keeping the crawl space soil damp between rains. Historic in-town homes have decades of this behind them; rural homes often have larger, lower crawl spaces doing the same thing. Either way, the stack effect sends that damp, musty air up into the house, so the crawl space sets the air quality for everything above it. A thin plastic sheet on the dirt can't manage runoff or humidity.

HOMES AND OUTBUILDINGS

Historic homes, rural properties — both need sealing

In-town historic home or a place out on rural land, our system is tailored to the home and stops runoff and humidity at the foundation. Closed-cell spray foam on the walls and rim joists seals and insulates the perimeter in one step; a heavy 15–20 mil reinforced ground barrier, sealed and overlapped, drains water back to the ground; and the vents are sealed where mechanicals allow so the crawl space joins your home's conditioned envelope. Where mountain runoff or the water table demands it, we add a sump pump. The result is a dry, conditioned crawl space, warmer floors, and cleaner air — with no dehumidifier running year-round. On older framing, sealing also protects against continued moisture damage.

By applying spray foam directly to the underside of the roof deck, it now insulates the attic space from the extreme heat that once radiated through the hot shingles, sheathing, and roof. The severe temperatures no longer exist in the attic. In short, the attic now becomes a passively "conditioned" space of the house that is just as comfortable as any other room in the home.

Benefits

A roof system insulated with Foametix spray foam reduces energy several ways. Energy loss from ducts located in the attic is essentially eliminated. The top of the building is much tighter resulting in less infiltration and exfiltration, so excess moisture isn't pulled into the attic. Infiltration through the ceiling is also reduced. In addition, the attic temperature is remarkably lower, which further reduces energy loads.

Energy Savings

  • Why don't you install a dehumidifier when other companies do?

    Because we actually seal the crawl space. We line the walls and rim joists with closed-cell spray foam — it's the insulation and the moisture-and-air barrier in one. Most companies don't run closed-cell foam, so they can't fully seal the space; they drop in a dehumidifier to manage the moisture they can't keep out. That's a bigger bill up front and an appliance running on your power for years. We're one of the only crews in Walker County that truly seals it, so it stays dry on its own — no dehumidifier.

  • Is this more or less expensive than a dehumidifier system?

    Less, once you look past day one. Ours is a one-time seal with nothing to run — no dehumidifier on the power bill, no filters, no unit to replace in eight or ten years. Systems built around a dehumidifier usually cost more overall once you add the equipment, the electricity, and the upkeep.

  • What about runoff coming off the mountains?

    We seal with closed-cell foam and a heavy ground barrier, and add a sump pump where mountain runoff or the water table requires it — so the system handles real water, not just humidity.

  • My home is historic — is it safe to seal?

    Yes, and sealing protects older framing from continued moisture damage. We tailor the system to the home.

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