subject: What Your Crawlspace Does For You [print this page] Sure, homeowners have heard of a basement, but what about crawlspace? It makes sense to know about your basement because most homeowners either use it for storage, a game room, or some other purpose. However, did you know that a crawlspace isn't much different from a basement? Well, it's different, but that's not by choice.
A basement and a crawlspace are both areas below your home, and essentially beneath the ground. They become known as the areas of your home that can be significantly cooler than the outside hot air, and also have the potential to be dirty, smelly, muggy, and murky.
Not exactly the most beautiful depiction, huh? But, it's true. The way that these spaces in your home become so undesirable isn't exactly on purpose. No building contractor wants to build a home that is in any way insufficient or unappealing. But, when there are budgets to be maintained and schedules to keep, sometimes the basement and crawlspace are the ones that suffer. And later, so will you.
A basement or crawlspace can be a usable and healthy place in your home, but many homeowners are never told this nor given the opportunity to enjoy such spaces. A basement has a bit more hope for development than a crawlspace because it is seemingly much more useful.
A crawlspace is comparably smaller than a basement. It also tends to be left with a dirt floor, which is quite different from the typical basement. Since a basement at least has easy access from the home, and enough space to hold a group of people standing up, it has a bit of advantage over a crawlspace. It's understandable, but a crawlspace can't exactly be forgotten. But, far too frequently homeowner's don't even know the purpose behind having a crawlspace.
What is a crawlspace?
A crawlspace, as we have learned, can be compared to a basement, but is also quite different. It may not be the most comfortable space to inhabit, but it still has a purpose. While a basement and crawlspace were developed with the same idea in mind, a basement is far larger and more easily finished into a livable space.
However, most homes with a crawlspace may have preferred having a basement, but for whatever reason there weren't enough resources, or time to develop a basement. So, a crawlspace was built. This crawlspace is used to help circulate air through the home, which is one reason why maintaining a clean crawlspace is so important to any homeowner. It is not a space that can be ignored. In fact, if you consider your home a body, how can one part function knowing that another part is out of whack? You are only as strong as your weakest link, and what homeowner wants to have a dilapidated home? No one, by choice, wants to have a home with a distorted value from its worn down and neglected crawlspace that continues to breathe dirty, mold infested air into the entire home.
Although a crawlspace may not be the most accessible for the average homeowner, it is quite convenient for a plumber, electrician, and other contractor. However, no professional wants to crawl through dirty, grime infested crawlspaces. If a contractor needs to get to pipes, a crawlspace is necessary! Hear that? Necessary!
What Could Go Wrong
A lot can go wrong in your crawlspace. Of course, this isn't always preventable by the home builder. That is why there are crawlspace repair specialists who can assist you with any crawlspace repairs.
A crawlspace will most likely have a dirt or concrete floor. It will also be damp, and humid. How does a crawlspace get so muggy? It's because of the muggy and humid outside air that your crawlspace is cooling. If your crawlspace is able to cool the air by even one degree, then the humidity from the outside actually increases inside the crawlspace by 2.2 percent!
When there is moisture, and organic materials like wood, boxes, or paper, then there is sure to be mold. Even if you try to clean the mold away, if you are not attacking the cause, the mold will grow back within 24-hours.
Waterproofing and Repairing Your Crawlspace
So, now that you understand why your home has a crawlspace, it is now time to decide how you are going to get your crawlspace back into working order. Remember, the air that is in your crawlspace is also upstairs. It has been proven that 1/3 to 1/2 of the air on the first floor actually originated in your crawlspace - kind of scary, if your crawlspace is in bad shape. That is one reason why you should hire a crawlspace contractor to assess the condition and necessary repairs.
Don't try to do the job on your own. Too many homeowners have tried to wrap their crawlspace with trash bags, only worsening the humidity and condensation, thus creating more mold and musty odors.
When your crawlspace is waterproofed by a crawlspace expert you can be assured that the mold will be gone, the air will be clean and crisp, and it will be a whole lot healthier for you and for those who have to crawl through your crawlspace.
