Crawlspace Encapsulation
in Coquitlam, BC
Coquitlam's topography is dramatically varied — from the near-flat Como Lake area and the Burquitlam lowlands to the steep slopes of Burke Mountain, where residential development has pushed into terrain that was forestland a generation ago. This range means crawlspace conditions are highly site-specific. Burke Mountain homes on new lots sometimes deal with cut-and-fill grading that has disrupted natural drainage patterns, directing water toward foundation walls in ways that were not anticipated during construction. Lower Coquitlam properties in areas like Burquitlam and Maillardville deal with the older housing stock that characterizes the lower Fraser Valley — vented crawlspaces, original fibreglass insulation, and moisture damage that has accumulated over decades.
Crawlspace encapsulation is one of the most effective investments a homeowner in Surrey or the broader Lower Mainland can make. The process involves covering the crawlspace floor and walls with a continuous, heavy-duty polyethylene vapor barrier — typically 12-mil or 20-mil reinforced poly — then sealing every seam, penetration, and vent opening with industrial-grade tape and adhesive. The result is a fully conditioned environment that is physically isolated from ground moisture and the damp Pacific Northwest soil beneath your home.
The installation process begins with a thorough cleanup — removing old fiberglass batt insulation (which absorbs moisture and harbors mold), clearing any debris, and treating visible mold colonies. Technicians then install the vapor barrier across the ground, lapping it up the walls and piers, and sealing it to the stem wall with adhesive and mechanical fasteners. All vents are closed and sealed from the inside. Depending on the space, we may also install a commercial-grade dehumidifier calibrated to maintain relative humidity around 50 to 55 percent throughout the year.
Why Choose Us in Coquitlam?
- Experience with Coquitlam's specific soil and drainage conditions
- Custom-designed systems — not one-size-fits-all packages
- Fully licensed, insured, and WCB-covered technicians
- Written report with photos after every inspection
- Workmanship guarantee on all completed work
Request Service in Coquitlam
About Coquitlam — What We See Here
Maillardville in particular has some of Coquitlam's oldest residential housing — a French-Canadian community established in the early 20th century, with some properties dating back to the 1910s and 1920s. Crawlspaces in homes of this age have often had multiple rounds of insulation and vapor barrier work over the decades, and we frequently find layers of materials installed by successive owners, some of which have contributed to rather than solved the moisture problems. Proper remediation in these cases requires understanding what is actually there before proceeding with a new approach.
The Austin Heights and Coquitlam Centre areas represent mid-century development — 1950s through 1970s — where many homes have crawlspace foundations and the typical moisture and structural issues of that era. We see a high proportion of cases here where the original fibreglass insulation has completely failed and mold on the subfloor underside is well-established. Encapsulation combined with mold remediation and insulation replacement is the standard scope for these properties.