Pendleton’s historic district went on the National Register in 1970 (district history), and the town’s landmarks include Farmers Hall, built between 1826 and 1828, along with Hunter’s Store, Ashtabula and Woodburn. Around them, the housing splits almost down the middle: the median home was built in 1980, and 49.4% are older than that (American Community Survey via Census Reporter).
Buying or selling in Pendleton?
Then the crawl space will show up on the CL-100. That’s the wood infestation report used in South Carolina real estate, issued by a licensed pest control business, and it covers accessible areas including the crawl space (SC Regulation 27-1085). It also has to disclose any area the inspector couldn’t get into, so a blocked or flooded crawl space gets noted rather than skipped.
What moisture levels get flagged?
Wood at 20% moisture or more is reported as excessive moisture, and 28% or more as active decay conditions. For comparison, Building Science Corporation puts the safe line for wood below 19% to avoid rot and below 16% to avoid mold, so a moisture flag on the report means the framing is already past it.
Measuring humidity and wood moisture is the first thing we do under any house we quote. Where the readings point to decay, crawl space repair comes before encapsulation.
Does encapsulation hide termites?
Not if it’s done right. We fasten the liner up the foundation walls but stop short of the top, leaving an inspection strip so the sill can still be checked. The CL-100 rule calls for at least 8 inches between untreated wood and soil, and it treats rigid foam in ground contact like untreated wood, so foam stays off the ground.
One more detail matters if the house is new: the rule says the one-year termite warranty required on new construction does not extend to homes with sealed or encapsulated crawl spaces. Whatever its age, talk to your termite company before the work and keep your bond in force. Our guide to encapsulation, termites and the CL-100 has the full picture.
Is it worth doing before a sale?
It depends on what’s under the house. A dry crawl space with sound framing gives the CL-100 little to flag, while a wet one can turn into a repair request from the buyer. Our honest take on whether crawl space encapsulation is worth it also covers the cases where it isn’t.
What does it cost in Pendleton?
For a 1,000 sq ft crawl space with a 12 mil liner and a dehumidifier, expect roughly $4,900–$6,800; a 2,000 sq ft one runs about $8,350–$11,650. The dehumidifier alone is about $1,600 installed. That’s a ballpark to plan around, not a quote, and the firm price comes after we’ve measured under the house.
Getting a Pendleton house ready to sell, or just bought one and the CL-100 flagged moisture? Request an estimate or call us, and send the report along if you have it. Answers to other common questions are on our crawl space FAQ.
