Why do homes have/need crawlspaces? That’s an important question to consider when you’re building a custom home or buying a resale home in Indiana.

While many homes have basement foundations or slab foundations, it’s just as common to find residential properties with crawlspaces. The following overview will prepare you for living in a house with this type of design.

What Is a Crawlspace?

Crawl space is a type of home foundtation.

A crawl space is one type of home foundation. This design involves leaving a small, unfinished area open beneath the house’s first floor. In some cases, the builder installs a concrete floor, but it’s more common to find an unfinished dirt surface in the crawl space.

The area provides easy access to electrical wiring, plumbing lines, and essential home services. Homeowners usually enclose their crawlspaces, installing a short access door.

The term ‘crawlspace’ comes from these spaces being too short for a person to stand. Instead, anyone accessing the area will crawl or slide along the dirt or concrete floor when entering the area.

Why Were Crawlspaces Originally Included in Home Designs?

Historically, builders found that crawlspaces offered a more cost-effective way to elevate a home when compared to building full basements. A crawl space raises the first floor of the home to protect against soil moisture and flooding.

As technology advanced and residential structures included more equipment (HVAC equipment, plumbing, etc.), builders found that crawlspaces also provided convenient access to those systems. Installing new lines or repairing existing equipment is easier with the access that a crawl space provides.

The open crawl space design also solves most humidity concerns. Since an open area promotes better air circulation, humidity is less likely to increase.

Unfortunately, enclosing a crawl space minimizes this advantage.

Advantages of Crawlspaces Over Slab Foundations

There are several reasons that homeowners prefer crawlspaces over home designs with slab foundations. Here’s a look at the most common benefits of this foundation style.

Ease of Home Maintenance

The ease of access a crawl space provides is something you’ll frequently appreciate. Whether you’re checking the utility equipment firsthand or hiring skilled technicians, you’ll often need access to the underside of your house.

Convenient crawlspace access can help reduce your costs when repairing the crawl space or replacing equipment.

Better Soil Moisture Management

The soil permeability will affect your foundation’s condition since less permeable soil allows for more effective water runoff. A crawl space gives you the ability to evaluate the soil under your home for moisture absorption.

If the soil absorbs more moisture, an open crawl space can help you reduce the risks of hydrostatic pressure and foundation damage.

More Flexibility in Home Designs

Why do homes have/need crawlspaces in the modern era? Including crawlspaces in contemporary home designs makes it easier to build houses in a variety of environments. You can build your home on irregular terrain or reduce the costs of building a home addition.

Crawlspaces are ideal in regions where moisture, frost, and soil types prohibit the use of full basements and slab foundations.

Potential Problems That Can Arise in Crawlspaces

Why do homes have/need crawlspaces that expose the structure to environmental threats? Every foundation type has its downsides, but learning about them will help you minimize the adverse effects they have on your home.

Flooding and Soil Moisture

Moisture comes in a variety of forms. The biggest danger facing your crawl space is the possibility of flooding. While heavy rainfall can damage a basement foundation, there is still a risk with crawl space designs.

In addition, normal soil moisture can erode the concrete walls that form your crawl space.

Insects and Other Pests

Many common foundation problems result from unwanted guests accessing the area beneath your home. Carpenter ants, termites, and wood-boring beetles can all destroy the structure of your home.

In addition, rodents, birds, and reptiles may use insulation, electrical wiring, and other materials in the crawlspace to build their nests.

Mold Growth

Why do homes have/need crawlspaces with direct soil access? While this is the most economical way to build a foundation, it also means that long-term moisture exposure is a problem.

Especially in the summer, the presence of hot, moist soil can promote mold growth. Once the mold starts to spread, it will release spores that contaminate the air in your home’s living spaces.

Structural Erosion

All of the elements in nature that negatively impact your crawl space can lead to the erosion of your home’s structure. Since the structure of a house is usually made of wood, organic threats are a concern. From pests to consistent soil moisture, these hazards can work together to damage your house’s structure.

Protecting Your Home’s Crawlspace

Why do homes have/need crawlspaces when they expose essential house features to so many threats? The conveniences of a crawl space make the design worthwhile. In addition, there are several waterproofing steps you can take to protect your crawl space.

Use a Sump Pump

Use of a sump pump is a way to protect your home from moisture.

If flooding is a problem, installing a sump pump can help you address the issue. A sump pump with a battery backup will prepare you for excess rainfall and storms at any time of the year.

Add Supplemental Drainage

Building a drainage system in your crawl space will keep water away from your crawl space.

You’ll use a gutter system on your home to divert rainwater from your roof. It’s equally important to make sure that water doesn’t flood your crawl space. In addition to installing a sump pump, consider building a drainage system in your crawl space.

This will provide an easier path for water to follow as it exits your crawl space.

Enclose Your Crawlspace

Enclosing will protect your crawl space from water and moisture.

If you have an open crawl space, consider enclosing it. You can add a door with a vent to keep the air circulating properly. This is the best way to keep pests from infesting your crawlspace and damaging your home’s structure.

Encapsulate the Area

Encapsulation protects the home structure.

Crawlspace encapsulation solves a variety of problems. It protects the space, the home’s structure, and utility equipment from soil moisture damage. It’s also effective in keeping insects and other pests from accessing the area under your house.

FAQs

Taking care of a crawl space isn’t as challenging as most people assume. If you still have questions about this type of foundation, you’re not alone. Here are some answers to questions many homeowners have about their crawlspaces.

There are a few ways to tell when your crawl space is collecting or retaining moisture. Standing water is the most obvious sign. Although this includes flooding after heavy rainfall, it can also include excessive soil moisture. As the soil in the crawlspace becomes saturated, excess moisture will pool.

Other signs of a crawl space moisture problem include:

  • Condensation on plumbing pipes
  • Water stains on the wood structure
  • Efflorescence (chalky, white residue) on concrete surfaces
  • Damp or discolored insulation
  • Mold or mildew

Aside from these signs, pay attention to changes in the rest of your home. Sagging floors on the first floor of your home indicate subfloor moisture. A water-damaged structure leads to uneven floors, gaps in floorboards, and doors that don’t close properly.

As a general rule, you should schedule a crawl space inspection once per year. Similar to roof inspections, environmental factors can increase the need for inspections. For example, consider the likelihood of pests infesting your crawl space. If wood-damaging insects are common in your region, you’ll want more frequent inspections.

You might need several crawlspace inspections per year if heavy rainfall or soil moisture affects your property on a regular basis. Since moisture promotes a variety of dangers for your home’s foundation and structure, keeping up with inspections is essential.

The inspector can evaluate the condition of your home’s foundation and identify structural problems early. This will help you fix a problem before it leads to more severe damage to your house. Your foundation repair company can recommend an inspection schedule based on environmental factors in your community and your home’s condition.

Aside from providing easy access to utilities and guarding against moisture, your crawl space can provide extra storage space. When deciding to store items in this area, consider how moisture, pests, and other factors will affect the items. Enclose the crawlspace and install a locking door to make the area more suitable for storage.

Since consistent crawlspace maintenance is essential to protect your home’s foundation and structure, using the area for storage won’t involve doing anything extra.

Keep in mind that you may have to move the stored items when a technician needs access to this part of your home. Otherwise, there’s no reason you can’t store your belongings in your crawl space.

Protect Your Crawlspace and Home With Expert Guidance From Crossroads Foundation Repair

As a leader in the industry, Crossroads Foundation Repair offers experience-backed foundation services to help you protect your home.

We’re skilled in providing maintenance and repairs for crawlspaces, slab foundations, and full basement foundations.

We can help you maintain your crawl space or repair the surrounding foundation. Request your free evaluation today!