10 Ways to Clean, Waterproof, & Protect Your Crawl Space
A clean, waterproof crawl space can make all the difference in peace of mind, good health, preserving property value, and avoiding hefty repairs.
Here are some solutions to consider when tackling this part of your home.
Why Address Your Crawl Space First?
Don’t waste precious time and money trying to fix, improve, or makeover other parts of your home until you’ve taken care of your crawl space.
If you don’t:
- Musty odors can penetrate your home and furniture
- Dampness will warp new floors and doors
- Pest infestations and rodents will invade your home and do damage
- Mold spreads behind your walls and between floors
- You’ll be burning money on higher energy bills
10 Ways To Improve Your Crawl Space
There are many types of solutions to help improve and protect your crawl space.
You may need one or to combine several of them for maximum protection.
1. Vapor Barriers
Moisture and vapor barriers provide thick plastic encapsulation for your crawl space. Use them to keep the moisture out of your home, eliminate water damage, block radon gas, and make the space less attractive to pests. Make sure crawl space walls, floors, and vents are included.
2. Insulated Crawl Space Encapsulation
Thermally insulated crawl space encapsulation provides extra protection. This extra-thick insulated water barrier is more durable, will last longer, and has extra benefits. It will keep your home much warmer in the winter without having to run the heat as much. It keeps out all of the rising humidity in the summer to keep your cooling bills down too.
3. Clean Your Crawl Space
It may not be your favorite place to visit in your home. Even if you love washing the dishes, laundry, and sweeping, this can be a different type of cleaning.
Yet a clean and disinfected crawl space is much more usable, safe, and healthy. This is the first step to identifying what is going on down there and the best solutions for your house.
4. Replace Skirting
If you have a mobile home, its skirting is often in disrepair. This makes it very difficult to keep clean and to keep rodents and insects out. It may be much easier to get under, clean it up, and take other proactive measures before you enclose the exterior again.
5. Dehumidifiers
Normally, vented crawl spaces are very ineffective. They still manage to be very wet, damp, and dirty. Instead, consider an energy-efficient dehumidifier, which will cost less to run and work much better.
6. Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are great at getting rid of extra water, especially if your crawl space seems to flood often or is leaking. Old sump pumps can be an energy drain and very noisy. During your free inspection, ask your crawl space expert if it is time for an upgrade.
7. French Drains
French drains can be a great way to direct unwanted water away from your foundation walls without looking ugly. There are several variations, from grated pipes and drains to gravel-covered ditches.
8. Interior Drains
Few homeowners know that one of the best ways to deal with water seepage and leaks in their crawl space is to install drainage on the inside. These direct unwanted water to your sump pump.
9. Exterior Gutters
One of the top reasons for foundation erosion and crawl space leaks is clogged, broken, or missing gutters on the exterior of your home. If you are wary of spending money on preserving your home or just want it to last a lot longer, start by inspecting your gutters.
10. Regrade Around Your Home
Melting snow and hard rains can really add a lot of pressure to your foundation walls. Unless you are directing this away appropriately, it will crack and cave in your foundation walls. Once this happens, your whole home can become a pile of rubble.
Fix Your Crawl Space with Expert Help
Hiring professionals for your crawl space encapsulation is crucial, as the job involves handling dirty and potentially hazardous conditions.
Without proper safety measures, you could be putting yourself at risk. Groundworks has been repairing crawl spaces across the country for decades, and with our extensive experience, we’ve seen and repaired it all.
Trust us to handle your encapsulation needs safely and efficiently. Book a free inspection today.
Crawl Space FAQs
While crawl space encapsulation offers many benefits, it’s important to weigh a few factors. The initial cost can be high, but it’s offset by long-term energy savings and avoided repairs. You’ll need to commit to annual maintenance to ensure the system remains effective. Proper pre-encapsulation cleaning is crucial to prevent potential gas buildup from decaying organic matter. Despite these considerations, encapsulation typically improves home comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term value for most homeowners.
When properly installed and maintained, crawl space encapsulation can last 15 to 20 years or more. The vapor barrier, a key component of encapsulation, typically has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. However, longevity can vary based on factors such as installation quality, climate conditions, and regular maintenance. With proper care, some encapsulation systems can even last the lifetime of the home.
Yes, proper crawl space insulation can significantly reduce energy bills by preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
