Some people don’t know they have crawl spaces in their homes. What are
these things? Well, if you must know, a crawl space is that which is
provided within a house (or any infrastructure) that allows proper air
circulation essential to good living. A crawl space gives access to
electrical and plumbing installations, making it easier to check and
repair said installations when necessary.
Because it is usually
hidden (generally underneath the house below the basement), a crawl
space is known to be dark and damp, characteristics that attract pests
and create a variety of other problems. Molds are some of the most
common problems, and they lead to the existence of bacteria and other
harmful substances. Meanwhile, pests that infiltrate the crawl space are
likely to go into your home as well, visiting your pantry and other
areas. Excessive moisture can cause great damage to the crawl space and
the entire structure of the house. In order to make sure that your home
is protected from structure deterioration and health hazards, it is
important to conduct crawlspace repair now – before it’s too late.
Professional
Help
Your best bet is to go with professional crawl space
repairmen. These days, you can find a number of companies offering
services for crawlspace repair, and the prices range from a few hundred
dollars to thousands. It is imperative that you do some research before
choosing a company, lest you end up spending too much on poor quality
repair. Also, know that most of these companies do the work in
installments; that is, they usually come back many times in a week – or a
month – to complete the fixing of your crawl space. Usual procedures
included in the process are insulation and waterproofing. Once you’ve
picked out a company, make sure to have the repairmen check the entire
house; any development in the crawl space will affect everything in the
structure.
DIY Magic
If you wish, you could try doing
the crawlspace repair on your own. Thanks to the Internet, you can find
help on do-it-yourself projects, such as fixing the crawl space, online.
First of all, check for moisture or even puddles of water in your crawl
space. Mildew and mold are likely to form in dark areas. Work to have a
good cross ventilation – a must-have during late spring, summer and
fall to help carry out the moisture in the crawl space. You can do this
simply by opening the vents in the house.
More DIY Tips
A
duct tape can prove to be a very useful ally in performing crawlspace
repair. Get a large roll of plastic (preferably mylar) and use it to
cover and seal any hole in the walls in the crawl space. Secure the
plastic along the top of said walls. This will prevent warm air from
coming through and speeding up condensation. Wooden flooring can
sometimes cause more problems because wood-boring insects are likely to
damage them. Pour concrete in the basement (or wherever it is your crawl
space is located) and install sump pumps. This will help get rid of
mildew, mold growth, and the general dampness. Make sure that the floor
is properly graded. If necessary, contact a company specializing in wood floor cleaning.
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By Aaron Douglas
 It seems that not everybody has been to their crawlspaces. Some may even don't know what they are. If it's that insignificant to many people, why do home owners have to see to their crawlspaces?
What Are Crawlspaces?
Crawlspaces are a type of a basement. However, unlike real basements wherein people really stay in or at least visit regularly many crawlspaces are abandoned and forgotten. Crawlspaces are too small and too low for people to even stand up in. So these spaces are mainly used for storage most of the time. Other people never use them at all. However, people should mind their crawlspaces to ensure a safe home.
Why Should You Bother with Your Crawlspaces?
The first issue is safety. Since crawlspaces are located under the main house, it is a good place for molds to form. When this happens in the crawlspaces, chances are molds would creep up to the main house. If one is not mindful of the entire house, then posts and floors could be ruined. This will present a hazard in the house. The house will not be a safe to live in.
Crawlspaces should also be dry and clean. This will keep dust particles and other dirt from accumulating and save the family against diseases and infections like asthma.
How to Keep Crawlspaces Safe for Everybody
The basic part of making crawlspaces safe is to clean it up. Simply pick up all debris and garbage that is inside there. It would be good to clear the area so any mold formation and dusty areas can be cleaned. Some debris could also have some sharp edges that can injure people. So it is best to get them out before anyone gets hurt.
One can also install an encapsulation system to seal the area from the main house. This would keep moisture from penetrate upwards. It would also prevent insect infiltration and spread of ground odors. As a result, the house will be safe from rotting from under. This will also seal house from outside ventilation. So, the house will be energy efficient.
Dehumidifying the area would also be needed. This will finally remove all the extra moisture found in the crawlspaces. By doing so, one will be able to free the house from mildew and molds.
Again, cleaning the crawlspaces is important to keep everyone safe from injury and diseases. While it is not the easiest or the most enjoyable chore, one must do it to keep the house safe.
About the Author: Aaron Douglas is President of Deep Ripples, Inc., a Professional SEO Company and owns a 100 year old home in Historic Irvington Indianapolis .
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