Orkin Crawl Space Encapsulation Reviews: The Hidden Truth

Is Your Crawl Space Secretly Damaging Your Home and Health?

There’s a space beneath your feet that you probably ignore. It’s dark, it’s damp, and it’s out of sight, but the health of your crawl space is directly linked to the health of your entire home.

If you’re noticing musty odors, feeling a persistent dampness in the air, or seeing your energy bills creep up, the problem might be originating from right under your floorboards. These are not just minor annoyances; they are symptoms of a much larger issue.

The Unseen Dangers of a Vented Crawl Space

For decades, building codes mandated that crawl spaces be vented to the outside. The theory was that this would allow moisture to escape. Unfortunately, the opposite often happens, especially in humid climates.

Open vents act as an invitation for moist, humid air to enter the cool, dark space under your home. When this warm, moist air meets the cooler surfaces of your ductwork and floor joists, it condenses, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and wood rot. This moisture doesn’t just stay in the crawl space; due to a natural phenomenon called the “stack effect,” up to 50% of the air in your home can originate from this contaminated area.

This means your family could be breathing in mold spores and other allergens, which can lead to respiratory issues and aggravated allergies. Furthermore, this damp environment is a paradise for pests like termites, cockroaches, rodents, and spiders, giving them a hidden sanctuary from which to invade the rest of your home.

How a Damp Crawl Space Drains Your Wallet

The problems are not just related to health and pests. A damp, vented crawl space is a major source of energy loss. In the winter, cold air floods the space, making your floors unpleasantly cold and forcing your heating system to work overtime.

You might notice this as a persistent cold spot on the floor that never seems to go away. In the summer, hot, humid air infiltration makes your air conditioner struggle to cool your home and control indoor humidity. This constant battle leads directly to higher utility bills every single month.

What is Crawl Space Encapsulation and Can Orkin Solve the Problem?

Faced with these significant problems, many homeowners turn to a solution called crawl space encapsulation. This process transforms a damp, dirty, and inefficient crawl space into a clean, dry, and conditioned part of your home’s envelope.

The goal is to completely isolate the area from the ground and the outside air. Orkin, a major name in pest control, offers a service called Orkin DryZone®, which is their branded crawl space encapsulation and moisture control program. Let’s break down what this process typically involves and what customer reviews reveal about their service.

The Orkin DryZone® Encapsulation Process

Orkin presents its DryZone® service as a comprehensive, multi-step solution to moisture problems. While each project is customized, the core components of the service generally follow a set procedure.

First, an Orkin technician conducts a thorough inspection of your crawl space. They will assess moisture levels, check for wood rot, identify existing pest infestations, and pinpoint sources of water intrusion. Based on this assessment, they propose a customized plan.

The installation process begins with cleaning the crawl space. This involves removing old, failing insulation, debris, and sometimes even grading the soil to direct water toward a drainage system. A heavy-duty, reinforced polyethylene vapor barrier is then laid across the entire floor and up the foundation walls, with all seams and joints meticulously sealed. This barrier is the heart of the system, preventing moisture from the soil from evaporating into the crawl space.

Next, all outside vents are sealed permanently to stop humid air from entering. The final crucial step is to install a high-efficiency dehumidifier to control the relative humidity in the newly sealed space, ensuring it remains dry and inhospitable to mold and pests.

Orkin Crawl Space Encapsulation Reviews: A Deep Dive

On paper, the service sounds like the perfect solution. However, the real test of any service lies in the experiences of actual customers. We’ve analyzed reviews from various online platforms, including Reddit and consumer affairs websites, to get a balanced picture of what homeowners can expect.

The Good: Professionalism and a Comprehensive Approach

Many positive reviews for Orkin’s encapsulation service praise the initial consultation. Homeowners often describe the technicians who perform the inspection as knowledgeable, thorough, and professional. They take the time to explain the underlying science of moisture control and provide detailed reports with photos, which helps homeowners understand the severity of the problem.

Customers who are satisfied with the final result report a noticeable improvement in their home’s air quality, the elimination of musty odors, and warmer floors in the winter. The idea of having a single, large, reputable company handle the entire process from pest control to moisture management is also a significant draw for many.

The Bad: High Costs and Inconsistent Quality

The most frequent complaint in Orkin crawl space encapsulation reviews is the cost. Orkin is a national brand, and their pricing often reflects that. It is not uncommon for homeowners to receive quotes ranging from several thousand to well over ten thousand dollars, depending on the size and condition of the crawl space.

Another significant concern raised in reviews is the inconsistency of the installation quality. While some customers are very happy, others report issues like improperly sealed vapor barriers, gaps left around pipes, and sump pumps that were not installed correctly. These installation errors can undermine the entire system, leading to persistent moisture problems even after a significant investment.

The Ugly: Aggressive Sales and Service Issues

Some reviews mention high-pressure sales tactics, where the initial inspection for a pest issue quickly escalates into a pitch for a very expensive encapsulation job. There are also reports of difficulties with follow-up service. When problems arise with an installation, some customers have struggled to get the company to return and fix the issues, despite the service guarantees.

A recurring piece of advice from homeowners online is to always get multiple quotes. Many suggest contacting smaller, local companies that specialize specifically in crawl space and basement waterproofing. These local experts may offer more competitive pricing and more personalized, hands-on service. The national brand recognition of Orkin provides a sense of security for some, but for others, the high cost and variable quality make a local specialist a more appealing option.

Making an Informed Decision: Orkin vs. Local Pros vs. DIY

Choosing how to tackle your crawl space issues is a major decision. It involves a significant financial investment and has a long-term impact on your home’s structure and your family’s health. Let’s compare the primary options available.

Why Choose a National Brand Like Orkin?

The main advantages of using a large, established company are the brand’s reputation, standardized procedures, and service guarantees. They have the resources and infrastructure to handle large, complex jobs and often provide ongoing maintenance and monitoring as part of their plans. For homeowners who value the peace of mind that comes with a well-known name and a comprehensive warranty, Orkin can be a compelling choice.

The Case for Local Specialists

Local crawl space encapsulation companies are the direct competitors to Orkin’s DryZone® service. Their primary advantage is often cost. Without the overhead of a national corporation, they can frequently perform the same quality of work for a lower price. Furthermore, the owner or senior technicians are often directly involved in the project, which can lead to higher accountability and better quality control. However, it’s crucial to vet these companies thoroughly by checking reviews, asking for references, and ensuring they are properly licensed and insured.

Is DIY an Option?

While it may be tempting to save money by encapsulating your crawl space yourself, it is a demanding and physically challenging job that requires meticulous attention to detail. Improperly sealing the vapor barrier, failing to address drainage issues, or choosing the wrong materials can trap moisture and make the problem worse. For most homeowners, the complexity and potential for error make professional installation a wiser investment. A failed DIY attempt can be very costly to fix.

Feature	Orkin DryZone®	Local Specialist	DIY Approach
Cost	High	Moderate to High	Low (Materials Only)
Quality Control	Can be inconsistent	Often high (owner oversight)	Depends entirely on skill
Warranty/Guarantee	Comprehensive national warranty	Varies by company	None
Process	Standardized inspection and installation	Customized solutions	Requires extensive research
Best For	Homeowners prioritizing brand security	Cost-conscious homeowners seeking expertise	Experienced DIYers with simple projects

The Ultimate Solution: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

Regardless of who you choose to hire, the steps to permanently fixing your crawl space problems are the same. A successful encapsulation project is your best defense against moisture, pests, and energy loss.

Step 1: Stop Water Intrusion at the Source

Before any encapsulation can begin, you must solve any bulk water issues. This means ensuring your gutters are clean and directing water away from your foundation. The ground around your house should be graded to slope away from the walls. If you have significant groundwater issues, a French drain and sump pump system within the crawl space may be necessary.

Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Space

The area must be cleared of all debris, sharp rocks, and old, damp insulation. If there is active mold or fungal growth on the wood joists, it needs to be professionally remediated. This ensures you are sealing a clean, healthy space.

Step 3: Isolate and Seal

This is the core of the encapsulation process. A thick, durable vapor barrier (12-20 mil is standard) is installed over the entire dirt floor and up the walls, completely sealing out ground moisture. All seams are taped, and the barrier is mechanically fastened to the foundation walls. All vents, gaps, and cracks leading to the outside are sealed airtight.

Step 4: Dehumidify and Condition the Air

A properly sized and energy-efficient crawl space dehumidifier is installed to maintain the relative humidity between 45% and 55%. This is the critical final step that ensures the air in the crawl space remains dry, preventing any possibility of mold growth. After encapsulation, you may also need the best fan to dry out the crawl space initially to remove any residual moisture from the structural wood.

Step 5: Monitor and Maintain

Your encapsulation system is not a “set it and forget it” solution. You should periodically check the space to ensure the vapor barrier remains intact. The dehumidifier’s filter will need to be cleaned or replaced regularly, and the unit should be checked annually to ensure it is functioning correctly.

Final Verdict: Is Orkin Encapsulation Worth It?

Orkin’s DryZone® service can be an effective solution for homeowners struggling with crawl space moisture. Their comprehensive approach, which combines pest control knowledge with moisture management techniques, is a definite advantage. The security of a national brand and a solid guarantee provides peace of mind that many homeowners are willing to pay a premium for.

However, the high cost and reports of inconsistent installation quality are significant drawbacks that cannot be ignored. The evidence strongly suggests that you should not make a decision without first getting at least two other quotes, preferably from well-regarded local specialists. By comparing the proposed solutions, materials, costs, and warranties, you can make a truly informed choice that protects your home and your budget.

Ultimately, investing in crawl space encapsulation is one of the most impactful improvements you can make for your home’s health, comfort, and efficiency. Whether you choose Orkin or a trusted local pro, transforming that dark, damp space into a clean and dry one will pay dividends for years to come.