Property Basics: What Is a Crawl Space?
A crawl space is like a basement but has vents to allow outside air. Some crawl spaces can be as high as a basement, whereas others can be as low as two feet tall, so you need to crawl on your belly to access.
There are three major types of house foundations in the USA. More than half of the foundations are concrete slabs, around 30% are full or partial basements, and about 15% have crawl spaces.
Why do homes have crawl spaces?
The most concise answer is a crawl space creates a barrier between the flooring of your home and the ground below. It’s an alternative to a more traditional basement. However, the two primary reasons homes have crawl spaces are– cost-effectiveness and convenience.
Crawl spaces are more affordable to build than basements, given that it negates the need to move the dirt to level the slope for a concrete pad. You can easily install water and sewer lines, gas hook-ups, HVAC systems, and piping on the convenience aspect. This arrangement enables less complicated upkeep of utility systems and pipes.
Two Types of Crawl Spaces
- Ventilated – have several air vents typically located at the top of the foundation wall. The air streams freely throughout the space; however, it does more harm than good because the air is uncontrolled and unconditioned. Because whether the air is hot or cold, it could be loaded with moisture. With all the wires and pipes, and other obstructions, insulating a ventilated crawl space is possible but very challenging.
- Conditioned – has insulated walls and a tight vapor barrier on the floor. The barrier is usually connected to the HVAC system, and it does not need insulation between the floor joists. The vapor barrier maintains the temperature-controlled the whole year and removes moisture from getting in the crawl spaces.
The Drawbacks
- Humidity – excessive moisture threatens the stability of wood structures and components. Excessive moisture may cause the wood to rot and increase termite activity.
- Fungus, mildew, and mold – if there’s a water problem combined with air circulating, it makes the place ideal for harmful bacteria to multiply. Residents of the house, including pets, will be prone to health hazards such as allergens and respiratory issues brought about by mold and mildew. You can resolve any water troubles by getting the service of trusted restoration companies; check out this link to learn more about restoration services.
- Pest infestations – insects, rodents, snakes, and some small animals are drawn to the warmth and moisture of crawl spaces. Pest intrusion might negatively impact the air quality of your home due to their dander, fur, or droppings.
- Floods – if you live in a disaster area, there’s a likelihood that you’ll need to take care of water problems in the crawl space eventually. Flood damage can weaken the structural integrity of your residence, and contaminated water is a prospective source of plenty of water-borne diseases. Floods shouldn’t be neglected; you need to call reputable restoration companies for water restoration cleaning right away.
Conclusion
As long as your crawl space has been properly constructed and kept well, all the disadvantages should not be your worry. Guaranteeing no holes in the ground can be an entry point for rats and other small animals. Any vents must have a screen to avoid pests from entering.
A crawl space makes accessibility more accessible to various systems in your house should something need to be repaired. Although a crawl space is not a livable area, some property owners can store small items. A well-kept crawl space can serve a lot of purposes in your house.