Orkin DryZone Reviewed: Your Crawl Space Moisture Nightmare Solved?
That unmistakable musty odor hits you the moment you open a closet. It’s the smell of dampness, a persistent problem that often originates from a place you’d rather ignore: your crawl space. For countless homeowners, this dark, cramped area is a hidden battlefield where moisture wages a silent war against their home’s health and structural integrity.
Excess moisture in a crawl space is a destructive force. It fosters mold growth, compromises indoor air quality, and can trigger allergies and respiratory problems. This damp environment is also an open invitation to pests like termites and rodents, creating a breeding ground for infestations that can cause catastrophic damage.
You'll Learn About
The Unseen Enemy: Why Crawl Space Moisture Is So Destructive
The problem with a damp crawl space extends far beyond a musty smell. It creates a domino effect that can impact your entire home, from the air you breathe to the stability of your foundation. Understanding these interconnected threats is the first step toward finding a real solution.
It’s In the Air You Breathe: The Stack Effect Explained
One of the most significant and least understood dangers of a damp crawl space is the “stack effect.” Homes naturally breathe, with warmer, lighter air rising and escaping through the upper levels. This process creates a vacuum that pulls air up from the lowest levels of the house—namely, the crawl space.
If your crawl space is filled with moist, mold-laden air, the stack effect will continuously draw those contaminants into your living areas. Up to 50% of the air on the first floor can originate from the crawl space. This means your family could be breathing in mold spores, dust mite allergens, and other pollutants 24/7, leading to chronic health issues.
Structural Integrity and Pest Infestations
Moisture is the primary ingredient for wood rot, which can compromise the wooden support beams and joists that hold up your home. This can lead to sagging floors and, in severe cases, threaten your home’s foundational stability. The persistent dampness also attracts wood-destroying insects like termites and carpenter ants.
These pests thrive in moist environments, making your damp crawl space a perfect home. An untreated moisture problem can quickly escalate into a full-blown pest infestation, leading to thousands of dollars in structural repairs. Addressing the root cause—the moisture—is essential for long-term protection.
What is Orkin DryZone and How Does It Work?
Recognizing that moisture is a root cause of many pest problems, Orkin developed the DryZone service. It is not a single product but a comprehensive, customized moisture control program designed for crawl spaces and basements. The core of the service is crawl space encapsulation, a process that completely seals the area from ground moisture and humid outside air.
The Orkin DryZone system transforms a damp, problematic space into a clean, dry, and controlled environment. It is built on a multi-step approach designed for long-term effectiveness and protection for your home.
Key Components of the DryZone System
A professional installation typically involves several integrated components working together to control moisture. While customized for each home, the system is built on proven principles of moisture management.
First, a heavy-duty vapor barrier, or liner, is installed across the entire floor of the crawl space and up the walls. This thick, puncture-resistant material stops moisture vapor from rising out of the soil. All seams are meticulously sealed to create a continuous barrier against ground moisture.
Next, any outside vents are sealed off. While old building codes required vents to “air out” crawl spaces, modern building science shows this often makes moisture problems worse, especially in humid climates. Sealing the vents prevents humid summer air from entering the space and condensing on cooler surfaces. A powerful, energy-efficient dehumidifier is then installed to control the ambient air moisture, ensuring the relative humidity remains consistently below the threshold for mold growth (typically 50-55%).
Orkin DryZone vs. DIY Encapsulation: A Head-to-Head Comparison
For handy homeowners, the idea of a DIY crawl space encapsulation can be tempting. Kits are available, and the potential for cost savings is a significant draw. However, it’s crucial to understand the differences between a DIY project and a professional system like Orkin DryZone.
A professional installation ensures that the complex interplay between moisture barriers, drainage, and air conditioning is handled correctly. An improperly sealed vapor barrier or an undersized dehumidifier can lead to trapped moisture, making the problem worse than before. While DIY can seem cheaper initially, a failed attempt can lead to far greater costs down the road.
| Feature | Typical DIY Approach | Orkin DryZone (Professional System) |
|---|---|---|
| Vapor Barrier | Thinner plastic sheeting (6-10 mil) from hardware stores. Seams may be sealed with basic tape. | Industrial-grade, puncture-resistant liner (15-20+ mil). Seams are professionally sealed and secured. |
| Dehumidifier | Standard residential dehumidifier, often not rated for continuous duty in a crawl space. | Commercial-grade, high-efficiency dehumidifier designed specifically for crawl spaces with auto-drainage. |
| Air Sealing | May involve sealing vents with foam board, but often misses critical air leaks at the sill plate and penetrations. | Comprehensive air sealing of all vents, gaps, and cracks to completely isolate the space from outside air. |
| Drainage Solutions | Typically not included. Cannot address issues with standing water or hydrostatic pressure. | Can include integrated sump pump and drainage matting to actively manage water intrusion. |
| Warranty & Support | No warranty on labor. Relies on manufacturer warranties for individual components. | Comprehensive warranty on the entire system and ongoing professional support and maintenance. |
The Installation Process: What to Expect
When you opt for a professional service like Orkin DryZone, the process is systematic and thorough. It begins long before any materials are brought to your home and continues with ongoing monitoring.
Step 1: The Initial Inspection and Custom Plan
An Orkin technician will conduct a comprehensive inspection of your crawl space. They will measure moisture levels, identify any existing water intrusion points, check for wood rot or fungal growth, and assess the overall condition of the space. Based on this investigation, they will recommend a customized program tailored to your home’s specific needs.
Step 2: Preparing and Fortifying the Space
The installation team begins by cleaning out the crawl space, removing any old, failing insulation, debris, or old vapor barriers. The ground is then prepared to ensure a smooth surface for the liner. The team fortifies your home by installing the heavy-duty polypropylene barrier, sealing all vents and gaps, and installing the dehumidifier and any necessary drainage systems.
Step 3: Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
After the installation is complete, the job isn’t over. Orkin typically includes a monitoring and maintenance plan. They return periodically (often semi-annually) to check the humidity levels, ensure the equipment is functioning correctly, and confirm the system’s effectiveness. This provides peace of mind that your investment continues to protect your home.
Is Orkin DryZone Worth the Investment? A Cost-Benefit Analysis
A professional crawl space encapsulation is a significant home improvement project with a corresponding price tag. It’s natural to ask whether the cost is justified. To answer this, it’s important to look beyond the initial price and consider the long-term savings and priceless benefits.
Beyond the Price Tag: Long-Term Financial Savings
A dry, conditioned crawl space can lead to substantial long-term savings. By preventing humid air from infiltrating your home, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool and dehumidify your air, potentially lowering your energy bills. For a deeper understanding of how your home’s lower levels impact heating and cooling, exploring the factors behind basement HVAC cost can offer valuable insights.
Furthermore, the cost of the system is often far less than the cost of inaction. Preventing major structural repairs from wood rot, avoiding expensive pest extermination for termites, and stopping destructive mold growth can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Using inadequate solutions can also be a costly mistake; for example, some homeowners mistakenly think applying certain coatings will solve moisture issues, but learning about Drylok and mold reveals why this can trap moisture and worsen the problem.
A Healthier Home and Protected Structure
Perhaps the most important benefit is the one you can’t put a price on: a healthier living environment. Eliminating the source of mold and mildew growth dramatically improves your home’s indoor air quality, which can lead to fewer allergy symptoms and respiratory issues for your family. It creates a cleaner, more comfortable home free of musty odors.
Finally, a dry crawl space protects the structural components of your home, from the foundation to the support joists. This is fundamental to your home’s longevity and safety. Understanding how different parts of your home’s structure bear weight, such as knowing how much weight furring strips can hold, highlights the importance of keeping all structural elements in prime condition.
The Final Verdict on DryZone
Orkin DryZone presents a comprehensive, professionally installed solution to the pervasive and destructive problem of crawl space moisture. For homeowners struggling with musty odors, high humidity, or the early signs of structural issues, it represents a decisive step toward protecting their property and health. The system is designed to transform a problematic crawl space into a clean, stable, and controlled environment.
While the initial investment is considerable, the long-term benefits—including improved air quality, prevention of costly repairs, and enhanced energy efficiency—often justify the cost. Ultimately, tackling crawl space moisture is not an optional upgrade; it is an essential part of responsible home maintenance. A system like Orkin DryZone offers a robust and reliable method for winning the war against moisture once and for all.
