Slopes, lakes and crawl spaces
Camas wraps around Lacamas Lake and the Washougal River, and much of its newer housing climbs Prune Hill and other slopes. On a hillside lot, rain soaking into the ground above a house can travel toward the foundation. The uphill side of a crawl space is often the dampest — sometimes with water in one corner. That needs to be understood before a liner goes down.
When Camas homeowners choose encapsulation
- Damp air or condensation on ducts in the crawl space
- A musty smell in rooms over the crawl space
- Insulation that keeps getting damp
- Wanting a cleaner, more controlled space under a newer home
How we sequence the work
First we check for water and where it's coming from — including gutters, downspouts and grading on the uphill side. If needed, drainage or a sump goes in first. Then the encapsulation: liner over the ground and up the walls, sealed seams and edges, openings addressed and a plan for the air.
Older Camas homes
Closer to downtown, Camas still has homes from its mill-town years. In those crawl spaces we look closely at posts, piers and old materials before sealing anything up.
What shapes the scope on a Camas hillside
- Uneven wall heights. Deep downhill walls need more liner; shallow uphill areas are harder to reach.
- Uphill water. Drainage along the uphill wall, if needed, is priced separately.
- Access. Very low areas may need a small dig out to be lined properly.
- Penetrations and openings. Piers, ducts, pipes and vents.
- The air plan. How the closed space will be managed.
How it fits with insulation and the HVAC
Many newer Camas homes have ductwork running through the crawl space. When the space is sealed, it behaves differently — which can affect condensation on ducts and where insulation belongs. We'll explain how encapsulation interacts with your insulation and what to discuss with your HVAC contractor if anything about the system should change.
Questions from Camas homeowners
My Camas home is on a hill. Can it be encapsulated?
Yes, once water coming from the slope is managed.
Will encapsulation stop water from the uphill side?
We handle uphill water with drainage first, then encapsulate so the crawl space stays clean and dry.
How do I get an estimate?
Getting started is easy. Call or text (360) 470-4956, or fill out the form on this page. We'll learn what's going on beneath your home, schedule a time to take a look, and give you a straightforward encapsulation estimate.