Crawl spaces are areas underneath a home between the first floor and the ground the home was built on. It’s name comes from the fact that it’s not large enough to stand in and you’d need to crawl around in order to get through it. If you don’t have a basement in your home, you may have a crawl space instead. Just like a basement, crawl spaces have their own pros and cons of upkeep and are only recommended in certain areas because of weather damage. They are usually utilized as a solution against concrete slab foundations, but are a bit more expensive. If you do have a crawl space, it’s important that its upkeep is addressed as soon as you notice a problem.
One of the most common instances where a crawl space may need repairs is if you smell something musty and have a feeling of dampness throughout your home. Crawl spaces are highly susceptible to mold growth, especially if you’re in an area that’s prone to a lot of rainfall. If the entrances to your crawl spaces aren’t protected from the outdoors, this can cause an even quicker deterioration of your crawl space and should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent any further damage.
Most crawl spaces are supported with wooden beams, so any mold or moisture damage can cause them to rot. This is extremely dangerous, as the integrity of your home can be affected as well and the worst case scenario is that part of your home will collapse in on top of the crawl space and sink into the dirt on top of your foundation. This can cause irreversible damage to the rest of your home or, at the very least, cost thousands of dollars in repairs. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to know what steps need to be taken to repair your damaged crawl space.
Two of the quickest and easiest ways to repair and prevent further issues with your crawl space is to install a vapor barrier and vent covers. A vapor barrier is an installation to your crawl space that can help control the temperature and moisture within the area. This will keep any mold growth out of your crawl space while also keeping the area dry and free of musty odors. Vent covers are used on the entrances to the crawl space. Not only do they assist with keeping out moisture, they can also prevent any unwanted pests from coming into the crawlspace. If your crawl space entrances are on the outside of your home, it’s very common for bugs and small animals to use your crawl space as a way to get out of the elements. A vent cover will allow for a tight seal to be in place so that nothing gets in, no matter what the weather.
For more information regarding crawl space repair and upkeep, see that web site as they have some great information. Foundation Repair of Western Colorado assists with crawl space upgrades that will make sure that your home stays safe and sound for years to come, without breaking the bank.