Crawl Space Restoration Helps The Whole House

Of all the unique places within your average home, the crawl space usually tops the list of most undesirable spots to enter. It's no wonder then why it is usually one of if not the most neglected areas in terms of maintenance.

In addition to the unattractiveness of the typical craw space and the thought of crawling around in it, the lack of knowledge of what purpose it serves and what problems can occur in it work to keep it neglected.

Purpose

Let's first review the purpose of a crawl space. Every home has operational systems such as the plumbing, electrical and HVAC. These systems need a location for quick and relatively easy access for maintenance. Home without a basement (and not built on a slab) depend on a crawl space to provide this accessibility. They are less expensive in the construction process than a full basement and thus the commonplace of them in many parts of the country. The other main function of crawl spaces is to help provide adequate ventilation through out the house. Without ventilation, a slew of problems can occur.

Common Problems

Focusing on the ventilation issue and leaving the operation systems to professionals in those fields, there are several benefits it provides. Without adequate ventilation, moisture will eventually build to harmful levels. Moisture is one of the most damaging elements to a house. Excess crawl space moisture can eventually lead to mold and mildew. The mold intrusion will not be limited just to the crawl area but will slowly creep to other areas of the house, potentially causing thousands of dollars of damage. Beyond the property damage, mold can cause allergic and respiratory heath issues to the inhabitants.

The other prime negative of excess crawl space moisture is that it makes the area more hospitable to pests. From rodents to ants (carpenter and odorous) and termites, pests prefer the damp environment. It is very common for a large pest infestation to take hold before the first signs are noticed.

Solutions

Fortunately, there are some ways to correct the situation. First, recognize that the foundation vents are there for a reason. Do not block or seal them off. Do not assume that they house has enough and can do fine with one or more blocked. The number and location of vents is designed to allow a proper flow. Walk the perimeter of your foundation ensuring that all vents are unobstructed. If any vent screens are clogged with matter, remove and clean.

Next, inspect the crawl space to see if it has a vapor barrier. To get a general idea of the condition, simply leaning into the access hole with a good flashlight can be sometimes be sufficient. If it is in either very bad or very good shape, this often is evident from just a cursory viewing. If it is a deep or multi-sectioned space with visual obstructions it may be best to actual get fully inside the space and crawl around inspecting.

A vapor barrier might sound complicated but is actually simple enough. It is most commonly a visqueen barrier laid smoothly and securely over the bare ground. The barrier help suppress ground moisture from entering the crawl space. AS simple as it sounds, a huge difference in moisture level is accomplished by the proper installation of a vapor barrier.

Additionally, you would be amazed at how much debris can often end up in a crawlspace during the construction process that never gets removed. If some of that debris is wood, particularly if sitting on moist dirt, the eventual rot can be an attraction to pests such as carpenter ants. Rodents can severely disturb or damage a vapor barrier. Generally, every 5 to 15 years the barrier should be changed out.

Finally, are review of the foundation for any unintended entry points, such as missing screens or large cracks, will help keep the crawl space pest free.

Paying a little attention to this often neglected area will help your home function as it was intended and avoid some easily preventable problems.