Birmingham Local Research

Drainage precedes encapsulation

Encapsulation is not a permit-heavy activity, so the city's stormwater guidance matters indirectly: a sealed crawlspace over ground that keeps taking surface water will not hold conditions. On sloping lots, runoff arriving from uphill is the usual reason a liner underperforms. Establishing where water reaches the crawlspace comes before deciding what to line it with.

Official sources

• Birmingham floodplain management
• Birmingham stormwater management

Find the water before sealing the space

Citywide guidance cannot tell you where water enters your crawlspace, whether the existing barrier is intact, or how humid the space actually runs. Establish the source and take readings before any liner is specified.