Crawl Space Encapsulation in Jasper, TN

Jasper sits in the Sequatchie Valley west of Chattanooga, near Nickajack Lake in Marion County. Valley floors hold humidity, the lake adds more, and the homes range from valley subdivisions to houses built into the mountain slopes. All of them sit over crawl spaces that, if vented, are quietly trapping that valley moisture against the framing — and all of them can be sealed dry without a dehumidifier.

 HOT UP TOP, COLD DOWN LOW

Why Jasper homes need crawl space encapsulation

A valley traps humid air, and the lake feeds it. A vented crawl space pulls that air in through the foundation, where it condenses on the cooler ground and framing under your floor. On slow-draining valley soil it lingers — feeding mold and rot, soaking insulation, and sending musty air up into the house through the stack effect. Mountain-slope homes add drainage and runoff challenges on top of the humidity. A loose plastic sheet on the dirt can't manage either the moisture or the runoff; the space has to be genuinely sealed.

HOUSE, SHOP, OR BARN 

Valley homes, slope homes — both need sealing

Valley subdivision or a house built into the mountainside, old or new, our system is tailored to the foundation and the drainage. 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 runoff and water back to the ground; and the vents are sealed where mechanicals allow so the crawl space joins your home's conditioned envelope. Where the water table or slope demands it, we add a sump pump. The result is a dry, conditioned crawl space, warmer floors, and cleaner air — plus protection for pipes against valley cold snaps, and no dehumidifier running year-round.

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 the Sequatchie Valley 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.

  • My home is built into the mountain slope — can you still seal it?

    Yes. We tailor the foam and ground barrier to the foundation and the drainage, and add a sump pump where the slope or water table sends water in. Slope homes are common out here.

  • Will it protect my pipes in a valley cold snap?

    Yes. Bringing the crawl space inside your home's conditioned envelope keeps it from freezing, which protects the pipes running through it.

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