Can a Full Encapsulation Work in High-Water Areas? Yes, If You Do This…

We hear it all the time:

“I don’t think encapsulation will work — my crawl space floods too often.”

Or,

“My neighbor tried it, and it still filled with water.”

But here’s the truth: encapsulation does work — even in high-water and flood-prone areas — if it’s done right.

At PierPoint Foundation Solutions, we’ve helped homeowners in some of Arkansas’s lowest, muddiest, and most flood-exposed properties stay dry and protected. The key? It’s not just the plastic wrap — it’s the system.

Let’s break it down.

💧 Why Encapsulation Alone Isn’t Enough

Encapsulation refers to sealing off the crawl space with a vapor barrier and wall liner. But in high-water areas, that’s not enough by itself.

If you don’t stop the water from entering, all you’ve done is trap it under the plastic — and that’s a recipe for mold, wood rot, and failure.

🛠️ What You Need for Encapsulation to Work in Flood Zones

✅

Perimeter Drainage (EZ-Flow)

This drains water from around the crawl space footing before it builds up and pushes in.

✅

Sump Pump System

You need a place for water to go — and a pump to get it there. Bonus: Add a battery backup so you’re protected even during power outages.

✅

Sealed Vapor Barrier

The plastic liner must be properly sealed to walls and piers — not just laid down loosely. Any gaps = entry points for moisture.

✅

Foam Wall Insulation (Optional but Recommended)

Sealing the walls helps prevent thermal bridging and slows down moisture transmission from outside air.

✅

Dehumidifier

Even without standing water, humid air enters through the soil. A dehumidifier keeps the space dry and mold-free year-round.

🚫 Common Reasons Other Encapsulations Fail

• No drainage system — just a liner over wet soil

• Poor plastic seams or unsealed piers

• Cheap liners that rip, shift, or wrinkle

• No sump pump = water gets trapped

• Trying to DIY it without solving the actual moisture source

Encapsulation is not a product — it’s a system.

And systems are only as strong as their weakest part.

🏠 Who Needs Full Systems the Most?

Encapsulation with drainage is critical if:

• Your crawl space floods or holds standing water after storms

• You live near farmland or in a low-lot area

• You’ve noticed sagging floors, musty smells, or mold

• Your neighbor’s encapsulation failed — probably due to poor install

👷 Why PierPoint Does It Right

We don’t just lay plastic and leave. We inspect your entire crawl space, measure water entry points, slope, and elevation, and custom design the drainage + sealing system around your conditions.

Every system includes:

• Certified installers

• Lifetime transferable warranty

• Optional upgrades like foam board, pumps, and dehumidifiers

• Free moisture & mold inspections

🛠️ Ready for an Encapsulation That Actually Works?

At PierPoint Foundation Solutions, we specialize in full crawl space systems that hold up even in the wettest Arkansas crawl spaces.

📍 Serving all of Arkansas

📅 To schedule an inspection, contact Dakota Treece:

📞 (501) 284-9330

📘 Message us on Facebook @PierPointFoundationSolutions

🔗 Schedule Your Free Inspection

Don’t just wrap it. Protect it the right way — with the right system.