5 Questions with Jeremy Clark

1. What do you bring to your role as Director of Business Development for Crawlspace Depot?

I have a unique perspective, particularly for pest management professionals, in that we share that same background. My family owned and operated a pest management business for over 50 years. I ran that business myself for over 15 years and understand the nature of the industry. Profit and loss, hiring challenges, and seasonal revenue are all concerns that I share with our customers. Crawlspace repair and encapsulation work is a great way to add revenue, particularly in slower times of the year.

2. Why is crawlspace encapsulation so important for homeowners?

Property — whether that’s a home to raise a family or a commercial space — are some of the biggest investments a person can make, and they impact the people we are closest to. Encapsulation is a way to protect that investment that goes beyond basic building codes. When done properly, it lowers energy costs, improves the air quality of the home, and protects the foundation. It can even exclude wildlife and pests, saving homeowners both hassle and damage.

3. What parallels do you see between pest management and crawlspace encapsulation that make it such a good fit as an additional service offering?

So much of pest control revolves around inspection, deduction, and troubleshooting. Which pests are getting in and how are they doing it? What food sources are they accessing? It teaches you a line of thinking that is so helpful when addressing the problems a crawlspace is facing. Plus, we are already in those crawlspaces, and, as PMPs, we are so good at figuring out moisture sources as they relate to pests. Well, moisture is a pest for crawlspaces, too. In fact, it’s enemy number one. Having a grasp on those dynamics and the mindset you need to do an inspection and develop a plan for a crawlspace is a natural extension of the work you do in a crawlspace.

4. What’s the most surprising benefit you’ve found about crawlspace encapsulation since you’ve made the move to CSD?

Most of the benefits are pretty simple and self-explanatory in terms of preventing wood decay, mold, pests, etc. The biggest thing I’ve learned, however, is the importance of air quality. Stack effect is the process by which air circulates through your home through cracks and crevices as negative and positive pressures are introduced through vents and other mechanical devices in the home. This air is typically pulling up through the home and ventilated out of the attic. This means that some of the air in your home is directly introduced through the crawlspace. If the crawlspace is not encapsulated, then that air is likely filled with musty odors, mold spores, and other unhealthy microbes. Your family is breathing that in — it can be off putting and even cause medical problems.

5. What are some important considerations for pest management professionals who are considering providing this service to their customers?

In many cases, you have already mastered the hardest skills needed for this job. You know how to identify problem areas and how to develop a plan of attack. You understand the customer service aspects, as well as the scheduling logistics. From there, it’s all about details. You want to be an expert and understand why and how moisture is a problem for the crawlspace and the science behind why encapsulation is a great solution to prevent moisture. Training yourself and your team in order to sell and service is the next step. The other is finding the right people for the job, just like any other division of your business. Folks who are willing and able to spend most of their time in a crawlspace.

Thinking about adding encapsulation services? If you have any questions about crawlspace encapsulation such as the science, the process, or the products, Crawlspace Depot is poised to help and even provide training. Reach out to Jeremy or the team by calling 888-331-9991 or emailing jeremyc@crawlspacedepot.com.