A System, Not a Single Product
Crawl Space Encapsulation Solutions for Maryland Homes
No two crawl spaces are identical, and no single product solves every moisture problem. OBW designs complete crawl space encapsulation solutions tailored to your Maryland home's specific conditions: soil type, water table elevation, existing structure, and the moisture pathways unique to your property.
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Eight Components, Two Categories
Find Your Solution
Jump straight to the component you need. Each page covers how it works, when OBW uses it, and what installation involves.
Sealing and Insulation
Vapor Barriers
The foundation of moisture control, blocking ground evaporation before it reaches the air above.
Vent Sealing
Sealing foundation vents that import moisture rather than removing it, per Maryland building science.
Insulation Installation
Insulation placed and sized for a sealed, conditioned crawl space, not a vented one.
Drainage and Humidity Control
Drainage Systems
Capturing water that enters through walls, floor seams, or rising groundwater.
Sump Pumps
The component that gives a sealed crawl space somewhere for collected water to go.
Surface Drains
Capturing water at ground level before it ever reaches the foundation wall.
Downspout Extensions
Moving roof discharge away from the perimeter and away from foundation vents.
Dehumidifiers
Commercial-grade units engineered for continuous operation in a sealed crawl space.
What 'Encapsulation Solutions' Actually Means
Encapsulation is not a single product, it's a system. A vapor barrier without vent sealing still allows humid outdoor air in through foundation vents. Vent sealing without humidity control creates a sealed space that accumulates moisture released from the soil and masonry. A dehumidifier without a vapor barrier fights an impossible battle against ground evaporation. A complete encapsulation solution addresses all the moisture pathways simultaneously, creating a crawl space that performs consistently across Maryland's full range of seasonal conditions.
OBW has been designing these integrated systems for Maryland homes since 1953, across soil types from Piedmont clay in Baltimore and Harford counties to the sandy, high-water-table conditions near the Chesapeake in Anne Arundel and Cecil counties.
OBW Solution Components
- Vapor barrier, 12 to 20 mil reinforced polyethylene liner covering floor, walls, and piers
- Vent sealing, insulated plugs in all foundation vents; combustion safety verified
- Dehumidifier, commercial-grade unit sized to your space with continuous drainage
- Interior drainage, perimeter channel and sump system for crawl spaces with active water intrusion
- Access door, insulated, weather-stripped door completes the thermal and air envelope
- Structural repairs, rotted joists, failed posts, and damaged beams addressed before or alongside encapsulation installation
Not every crawl space needs every component. Your free inspection will determine what your specific situation requires, and our consultative technicians will give you an honest assessment.
The OBW Difference
National waterproofing brands often rely on high-pressure, quota-driven sales. OBW takes a consultative, no-pressure approach. Our technicians are consultative professionals who've been trained in Maryland-specific crawl space conditions, and whose job is to solve your problem correctly, not to maximize the invoice. Since 1953, three generations of the Pirog family have built OBW's reputation on honest recommendations and durable work. Every encapsulation solution we install is backed by our written workmanship guarantee.
Ready to protect your crawl space?
Family-owned since 1953. Honest, consultative guidance. Backed by a written workmanship guarantee. MHIC 4247.
Schedule Your Free Inspection (410) 879-3360