The application of a thick, durable sealant or physical barrier over hazardous materials like asbestos or lead paint to prevent toxic fibers and dust from becoming airborne. In residential work, it also refers to lining a dirt crawlspace with heavy poly sheeting and sealing the seams to block ground moisture from rotting the floor joists above.
The abatement crew is finishing the asbestos encapsulation in the boiler room before we start demo.
Encapsulating asbestos is often cheaper and safer than full removal, provided the material remains undisturbed by future renovations.
Related terms
Crawl space
A low-clearance area beneath the ground floor of a building used for utility access.
Nonfriable
Describes a solid substance resisting being broken down into fine particles by basic human force.
Barrier board
A rigid, fire-resistant panel installed within a roof assembly to protect combustible materials from heat and flame.