Whereas some homes have basements, other homes may have what’s known as a crawl space. This is just like it sounds. It is a space within the foundation of the home that’s about tall enough to crawl through – sometimes tall enough to walk through if you hunch over – and it’s made with cinder block and a facing of bricks.
There are a couple of reasons a home might have a crawl space instead of a basement, one being that it is cheaper than a basement to build. It is simpler, and a smaller space to develop. The second reason is that a crawl space works to get the home off the ground, which is especially desirable in damp areas or areas prone to flooding. It is also a benefit for the sake of avoiding termites, by keeping the home more elevated than a basement would.
The problem with a crawl space is the moisture issue. As originally built, crawl spaces have a hard time keeping out the moisture that naturally flows in as a result of groundwater and other elements of weather. This is a common problem often seen and fixed by experts like Quality Dry Basements owner Charles Pellaton.
Most older crawl spaces are made with dirt floors. This means that not only is moisture coming in, but you have a floor that is creating moisture all on its own to begin with. Now you have a very damp, if not wet, crawl space. Inevitably, mold and mildew will begin to grow. And all of this damp, cold, humid air, possibly with mold and mildew, travels up into your home. A dirt floor allows the very moisture of the earth to accumulate and migrate upward. However, concrete floors don’t eliminate the moisture problem. This is still a large area, rarely attended to, at ground level.
The need to keep your crawl space dry is greater than you might think. Not only is the air coming up and into your home, but the very purpose of a crawl space, in addition to its advantages of raising the home and being more affordable, is to store the plumbing lines and duct work beneath the house in an area that can be accessed and serviced. Now, you already have another moisture contributor right there with the pipes, which is only more reason to make sure this area is waterproofed. Plus, excess moisture in that crawl space can damage pipes and duct work, which can leave your home damaged or without certain services for hours or even days. It would also mean more repairs, and expensive repairs at that, done by different service contractors – plumbers, HVAC contractors, and then the basement contractors to waterproof. It would be a lot easier to just waterproof first and not have to worry about it, wouldn’t it?
How to Waterproof Your Crawl Space
When you call your basement contractor to look at your crawl space and give you an estimate, he will thoroughly inspect the space and track the source of the problem. He will then be able to advise on which type of waterproofing is best for your crawl space. You should begin with insulation, to ward off the crawl space and protect the home. You can then install a sump pump, or have the walls of the space ventilated to relieve pressure and moisture accumulation. Your contractor may also offer newer solutions like the vapor barrier system, in which the space is sealed off to all moisture. Each space has different circumstances, depending on your climate and conditions, and your expert estimator will be able to consult with you to find the best and most secure option.
