6 Crawl Space Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners

Moving into a new home is an exciting process. As tempting as it is to settle in fast, it’s critical to make sure your new crawl space is in good order. Most homes don’t have the proper water management tools in place to keep this area dry. So, the crawl space space is under constant attack from moisture, pests, and outside elements.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t notice crawl space damage until it’s too late. In this article, we’ll go over six crawl space maintenance tips for new homeowners to keep your new home protected from moisture.

Vented crawl spaces were the norm for years, but these openings have proven to be more harmful than useful to homes. Vents allow outside air, water, and pests into your crawl space to wreak havoc and create unhealthy conditions for you and your family.

To keep pests out, seal crawl space vents and crawl space doors to lock out external threats. Also, be on the lookout for any cracks or other openings in the walls. Left unchecked, these cracks and gaps will continue to expand and weaken your home.

A low-lying area like your crawl space is likely to experience flooding issues at some point. If standing water gets below your home, your entire crawl space becomes damp and musty. Rainstorms are the most common culprits, but leaking water pipes can also lead to flooding in the crawl space.

The most effective way of dealing with crawl space flooding is with an interior drainage system. These drains collect leaking water and direct it to a sump pump system. The sump pump, installed at the lowest point in the crawl space, will eject water before it causes problems.

One of the best forms of proactive maintenance is full crawl space encapsulation, which creates an airtight seal around your crawl space with a durable vapor barrier.

This solution locks out moisture from the outside and water from the soil, averts problems like wood rot and mold growth, and makes it more difficult for pests to get in. The plastic barrier also acts as an insulator that will keep your home warmer during cool months and cooler in the summer.

Fiberglass insulation is found in most crawl spaces. Unfortunately for new homeowners, this choice doesn’t make much sense. Fiberglass absorbs moisture quickly, leading to sagging, failing insulation, increasing your energy bills by forcing your HVAC system to work harder.

Adding foam board insulation to the area as part of crawl space maintenance is the better choice. The rigid foam is naturally resistant to moisture and humidity. The outcome is a warmer crawl space that makes your entire home more energy efficient without risk of damage or failure.

Your crawl space waterproofing efforts would be incomplete without a dehumidifier. Warm, wet air in the crawl space will eventually creep upwards into the rest of your home, creating an unpleasant environment to live in.

A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, creating a dry space. Additionally, some dehumidifier models can regulate air quality by eliminating airborne particles like dust and mold spores, creating a healthier environment. During the hot and humid summer months, cool, dry indoor air makes all the difference.

Proper landscaping is key to crawl space maintenance. It’s crucial that your yard slopes away from your house to ensure rainwater doesn’t pool near the foundation. Growing deep-rooted plants around your foundation can also soak up extra water, but avoid placing large trees too close to your home, as unchecked root growth could lead to foundation damage.

Also, don’t forget the importance of keeping your gutters clean and ensuring downspouts guide water at least 10 feet away from the house.

Moving into a new home is an exciting time for you and your family. Don’t let a wet crawl space compromise your comfort. At Groundworks, our experienced crawl space repair team is ready to help make your home safe, dry, and healthy from the ground up.

Contact us to schedule a free crawl space inspection and service estimate, and start your new life worry-free.